Overview

This unit will give you an appreciation of materials, their place in the environment and ways of dealing with their presence in the waste stream. You will gain a basic understanding of the structure and properties of the main classes of materials: metals, polymers and ceramics. You will learn about … For more content click the Read More button below.

Offerings

S2-01-CLAYTON-ON-CAMPUS

Contacts

Chief Examiner(s)

Professor Aijun Huang

Unit Coordinator(s)

Professor Aijun Huang

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1.

Understand the broad interrelationship of materials in society and issues related to their reuse or disposal

2.

Have a basic understanding of the mechanical properties of materials, of how these properties are measured and their importance in various applications

3.

Have an understanding of the key classes of materials (metals, ceramics and polymers), how their structure relates to their properties and applications and how this differs between classes

4.

Understand the technical aspects of other alternatives to disposing of these materials such as incineration, degradation and recycling

5.

Have an understanding of the basic concepts of an energy balance (life-cycle analysis) with regards to materials usage

Teaching approach

Active learning

Assessment summary

Continuous assessment: 65%

Final assessment: 35%

This unit contains a hurdle requirement that you must achieve to be able to pass the unit. You are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final assessment component. The consequence of not achieving a hurdle requirement is a fail grade (NH) and a maximum mark of 45 for the unit.

Assessment

Tests
Assignments
Labs
Final assessment

Scheduled and non-scheduled teaching activities

Applied sessions
Laboratories
Lectures
Workshops

Workload requirements

Workload

Other unit costs

Costs are indicative and subject to change.

Protective clothing and equipment, at your own cost:

  • Laboratory coat - approximately $35 to $50
  • Safety glasses - approximately $8, or prescription safety glasses (if required) - approximately $350
  • Laboratory-appropriate enclosed footwear (non-porous material, equipped with non-absorbent, slip-resistant soles)

Availability in areas of study

Specialisation:
Environmental engineering