2013/14 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
PEME2711 Materials Structures and Characterisation
20 creditsClass Size: 50
Module manager: Professor R M D Brydson
Email: r.m.d.brydson@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2013/14
Pre-requisite qualifications
A-levels in science, first year courses in atomic and molecular structure plus materials chemistry.This module is mutually exclusive with
| PEME3711 | Materials Structures and Characterisation |
Module replaces
PREN2700 Materials Structures and CharacterisationThis module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
On completion of this module, students should be able to:- describe a range of typical crystal structures adopted by materials and understand the factors which determine the adoption of these structures;
- give a unified view of defects in solids, understand the mechanisms of their generation their behaviour and their stability, and predict their effects on materials properties;
- describe and understand the stability of materials structures, including defects, in thermodynamic terms;
- understand the principles, applications and limitations of advanced materials characterisation techniques;
- practically employ a range of advanced materials characterisation techniques and analyse the data generated by these;
- conduct a materials characterisation mini-project, including selection and application of characterisation techniques.
Syllabus
Basic geometrical crystallography; crystal structures and crystal systems; space lattices and symmetry; point groups and space groups; geometry of the reciprocal lattice.
Use of computers in the generation and analysis of crystal structures.
X-ray characterisation: the Laue equations and Bragg's Law; the Ewald sphere; coherent scattering of X-rays; atomic scattering and structure factors; X-ray diffraction techniques.
Stability and transformations of crystal structures: a thermodynamic approach; displacive and reconstructive transformations; effects of temperature and pressure on stability.
The mechanistic approach to diffusion; atomic and molecular movement; dislocation reactions and interactions; grain boundaries; point, line and planar defects in metallic and ceramic crystal structures; polymer structures; importance of defects in materials behaviour.
Light microscopy: dark ground, polarised light, differential interference contrast, interferometry methods, etching techniques.
Electron specimen interactions: ionisation and decay, production of X-rays, secondary and Auger electrons.
Electron microscopy: SEM, TEM, EPMA. Scanning probe techniques.
Surface analysis.
Spectroscopic techniques for analysis: photon spectroscopies, NMR.
Thermal analysis.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Class tests, exams and assessment | 3 | 1.00 | 3.00 |
| Group learning | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
| Lecture | 20 | 1.00 | 20.00 |
| Practical | 20 | 2.00 | 40.00 |
| Private study hours | 127.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 73.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
30 hours directed reading for lectures/laboratory classes40 hours preparation of integrated reports
10 hours for group projects
20 hours revision for tests
27 hours revision for final examination
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Students will be monitored weekly by lecture attendance, submission of assessed course work, results in tests and also in course work.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Practical Report | Integrated Report | 20.00 |
| Practical Report | Integrated Report | 15.00 |
| Group Project/Project/Dissertation | Group Project | 10.00 |
| In-course Assessment | In-Class Test | 10.00 |
| In-course Assessment | In-Class Test | 5.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 60.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 3 hr 00 mins | 40.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 40.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 07/02/2014
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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