Materials Science is studied in a series of units throughout the Engineering Chemistry and Contemporary Materials bachelor program. It aims to acquaint students with different types of materials, the ways of obtaining them, and the methods of analyzing their properties – mechanical, chemical, etc.

The course teaches how to model materials with specific desired properties. This is done based on understanding the relationship between the structure of the material and its properties. The structure of metals is considered at subatomic and atomic levels and at microscopic and macroscopic scales. Properties are defined as a distinctive feature of the material, representing its response to a specific interaction (force). In the course, you will explore various properties – mechanical, electrical, thermal, magnetic, optical, and chemical (corrosion). You will learn what solid solutions are, their properties, and their defects.

The unit focuses on metals and metal-based materials as well as metal alloys. The iron-carbon phase diagram is studied in detail as it helps to understand the difference between steel and cast iron – two alloys, which are very widely used in day-to-day life. Practical exercises teach how to obtain some alloys and analyze them with different techniques including differential scanning calorimetry – a method that gives information about the phase transitions of a material under temperature change. Upon completion of this course, students acquire knowledge directly applicable to the industry.

Polymers are very large macromolecules composed of repeating units called monomers. Such materials are everywhere around us - examples are wood, plastic, etc. Polymers are used in the manufacture of clothes, toys, tires, construction materials, etc. In the course of the unit, you will learn about the synthesis mechanisms of different polymers and their applications. You will understand why shopping bags cannot be made from nylon or why a car’s windshield won’t shatter into many pieces after being broken. In the practical exercises, you will synthesize some of the most common polymers and study their properties.

Biomaterials are materials of natural or synthetic origin designed to be biocompatible, meaning they can come in contact with tissues, blood plasma, or biological fluids. Their biocompatibility is important as they can be used in the production of prostheses, for diagnostic and therapeutic aims, and for storage or preservation, without adversely affecting the living organism. You will study these materials in detail, learn about their application, and how to choose the right material for a certain purpose. In the last part of the unit, you will find out how to design a new material serving a specific purpose.