B.TECH Materials Science
Duration – 4 Years
Materials Science (also referred to as materials science and engineering) is an inter-disciplinary subject that involves the study of all materials starting from a glass or a piece of sports equipment to those used in medicine and aerospace. The subject explores the structure and design of any material and how it can be used in the most optimum way.
Apart from this, the field of materials science also focuses on the creation of new materials on the basis of different engineering requirements. The materials created through this field of science are used for a variety of purposes and range from nanotechnology to advanced polymers. Â
Through their understanding of how materials work, materials scientists or engineers create new materials for new applications and develop existing materials to improve performance. Materials science is a broad field of study and contains plenty of opportunities for students who wish to build their careers in it and its related technologies.\
What is Materials Science
Materials Science is an interdisciplinary subject that involves Physics and Chemistry of Matter, Engineering applications and industrial manufacturing processes. The subject deals with the interconnection between the structure and properties of a material and its manufacturing process.
The duration of the undergraduate Materials Science course is four years and that of the postgraduate course is two years. The curriculum includes Engineering and Science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and its sub-topics such as metals, materials, alloys, ceramics, biomaterials, magnetic and optical materials, to name a few.
Materials Science Eligibility Criteria
Materials science can be pursued by candidates at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate levels. Given below are the eligibility criteria for all levels of materials science courses:
UG Level: Candidates should clear Class 12 in the Science stream with at least 50 per cent to 60 per cent aggregate. Â
PG Level: Candidates should clear graduation preferably in materials science with at least 50 per cent to 60 per cent aggregate. Â
PhD Level: Candidates should clear post-graduation in materials science or a related discipline with at least 60 per cent to 75 per cent marks. Candidates clearing GATE (with minimum 90 to 95 percentile) or CSIR UGC NET and had Mathematics as a mandatory subject in graduation are also eligible to apply. Â
Note: Materials science eligibility criteria mentioned above might vary depending on the policy of the university in which a candidate is applying for admission.
Materials Science Admission Process
The admission process for Materials Science courses is entrance-based, i.e. candidates are given admission on the basis of their performance in entrance exams which are conducted for admission to Materials Sciences courses. Some of the top entrance exams for Materials Science courses are as follows:
JEE Main
GATE
JEE Advanced
UGC NET
SAT India
UPSEAT
Top Colleges and Courses Offering Materials
Some of the top colleges and courses offered by those are as follows:
Colleges | Courses | Duration |
---|---|---|
IIT Madras | BTech in Metallurgical and Materials Science | 4 years |
MTech in Metallurgical and Materials Science | 2 years | |
BTech + MTech in Metallurgical and Materials Science | 5 years | |
IIT Delhi | BTech in Materials Engineering | 4 years |
MTech in Materials Engineering | 2 years | |
MTech in Solid State Materials | 2 years | |
IIT Bombay | BTech in Metallurgical and Materials Science | 4 years |
MTech in Materials Science | 2 years | |
IIT Kanpur | BTech in Materials Science and Engineering | 4 years |
MTech in Materials Science and Engineering | 2 years | |
PhDÂ in Materials Science and Engineering | 3 years | |
Jadavpur University, Kolkata | MTech in Material Engineering | 2 years |
Delhi Technological University | MTech in Material Science and Technology | 2 years |
Materials Science Course Curriculum
There are different science and engineering courses offered in materials science. However, the two popular materials science courses include BTech Materials Science & Engineering and MTech Materials Science & Engineering. Given below is an overview of the subjects taught in both courses:
BTech Materials Science & Engineering | |
---|---|
Nature and Properties of Materials | Thermodynamics and Phase Equilibria |
Rate Processes | Structure and Characterization of Materials |
Introduction of Biomaterials | Phase Transformation |
Mechanical Behavior of Materials | Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Materials |
Physical Metallurgy Laboratory | Mechanical Behaviour Laboratory |
Principles of Metal Extraction & Refining | Materials Processing |
Functional Materials Laboratory | Process Engineering Laboratory |
Manufacturing Processes Laboratory | Science and Technology of Thin Films and Device Fabrication |
Energy Materials and Technologies | Electronic Devices and Characterization |
Electro-Ceramic Materials and Applications | Materials Science Technologies for Application in Life Sciences |
Iron and Steel Making | Selection and Design of Engineering Materials |
Powder Metallurgy | Solidification Processing |
Heat-Treatment and Surface Hardening | Symmetry and Properties of Crystals |
Interfaces and Material Properties | Microscopy and Microanalysis of Materials |
Dislocations and Plasticity | Material Failure- Analysis and Prevention |
Nanostructures and Nano-Materials-Characterization and Properties | – |
MTech Materials Science & Engineering | |
Engineering Mathematics | Physical Metallurgy |
Materials Characterization | Thermodynamics and Kinetics |
Materials Testing & characterization | Ceramic Science and Technology |
Composites and Polymers | Nanomaterials and Technology |
Mechanical Behavior of Materials | Selection of Materials |
Computational Techniques | Non Destructive Testing |
Manufacturing Processes | Corrosion Engineering |
Metallurgical Failure Analysis | Surface Engineering |
Biomaterials | High-Temperature Materials |
Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing | Thin Film Technology and Application |
Electrical, Magnetic and Optoelectronic Materials | Process Modeling |
Particulate Technology | Statistical Quality Control and Management |
Polymer Processing | Nuclear Materials |
Severe Plastic Deformations | Finite Element Methods |
Theory of Plasticity | – |
Required Skillset for Materials Science
All candidates looking to build their career in the field of materials science should possess the below-mentioned skillset and traits:
- Mathematical skills
- Scientific knowledge
- Technical skills
- Planning skills
- Analytical bent of mind
- Problem-solving skills
- Decision-making skills
- Inquisitiveness
- Detail orientation
- Innovation and creativity
Materials Science: Job Profiles & Top Recruiters
Candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in materials science can find employment opportunities in a variety of industries such as automotive, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, ceramic/ glass companies, nuclear, defence, oil & gas, etc.
Some of the popular job profiles related to materials science are:
- Material Engineer: A material engineer specialises in metals, ceramics or plastics. S/he develops composite materials and studies the atomic structure of materials in order to discover new applications for their mechanical or chemical properties.
- Material Analyst: A material analyst, using different software systems designs material and supply movement plans for companies. Job responsibilities of a material analyst also include tracking customer product demand, managing transportation of exports and imports, and developing productivity improvement proposals.
- Materials Scientist: A materials scientist researches as well as studies the structures and chemical properties of different man-made and natural materials such as glass, metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, etc.
- Materials Technician: Job responsibilities of a materials technician include testing a material’s strength and flexibility along with its characteristics such as chemical composition, cost assessment, safety and environmental impact, etc. Â
- Manufacturing Engineer: The job role of a manufacturing engineer includes developing manufacturing processes by studying the requirements of the product and researching, designing, modifying as well as testing manufacturing methods and equipment.
- Product Tester: A product tester is a professional who tests, evaluates and provides feedback of products that are being launched by a company.
- Metallurgist: A metallurgist develops metal products and structures that range from small precision-made components to huge engineering parts. A metallurgist usually specialises in one area such as structural metallurgy, process or chemical.
Top Recruiters for Materials Science
Some of the top recruiters for materials science candidates are:
- Ultratech Cement
- ACC Limited
- JMC Projects
- Hindustan Constructions Company
- Gammon
- Shapoorji Pallonji Group
- Simplex Infrastructure
- Jindal Steel & Power Limited
- Reliance Industries Ltd.
- Tata Steel
FAQs Regarding Materials Science
Q: What is Materials Science course?
Q: Is Materials Science an Engineering discipline?
Q: What is the duration of the Materials Science course?
Q: What are some of the top colleges offering Materials Science courses?
Q: What is the average fee for Materials Science course?
Q: What are the entrance exams students need to take for admission to the Materials Science course?
Q: Is Materials Science a good career option?
Q: Which industry sectors provide good career options for Materials Science graduates?
Q: What is the average salary offered to Materials Science graduates?
Q: What are some of the specialisations for Materials Science courses?
Q: Apart from IITs, which are some of the top colleges offering Materials Science courses?
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