‘Automotive materials’ education : linking materials science to design and manufacturing challenges in the automotive industry

‘Automotive Materials’ is a core course in the Master of Engineering (International Automotive Engineering) Program. Developed in consultation with industry representatives, it aims to link material properties with automobile design and manufacturing requirements. The course content focuses on niche areas in component design including alternative materials. Each topic is presented in relation to a particular application. Formal lectures are combined with a case study and materials selection projects to deepen the students’ knowledge and understanding of the topic. The most innovative aspect of this course curriculum has been the case study approach where the properties of materials are discussed in the context of particular applications. This approach enables the students to construct their own materials knowledge and to develop an intrinsic motivation to learn the subject material. The course has been running for more than four years, with very positive student feedback.