Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Materials
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish
Teaching staff
Introduction
The subject of materials science will serve to understand the basic principles of materials engineering to understand the relationship between the chemical structure and composition with their properties, to finally find their application in our society. These concepts are considered basic to be able to understand and design in the near future materials with biological applications and therefore, their application in bioengineering.
Pre-course requirements
None
Objectives
The objective of the subject is that the student acquires knowledge of the fundamentals of materials science, their structure and their defects, and how they relate to the final properties of the materials.
To know different techniques of microstructural characterization, as well as to know how to interpret the results obtained through the different techniques.
Knowledge of the fundamentals of science, technology and materials chemistry. Understand the relationship
between the microstructure, the synthesis or processing and the properties of the materials.
Solve problems related to the engineering of the manufacturing processes, based on the materials
that make up the element.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN01 - Describe aspects related to bioengineering based on subject-specific books together with scientific publications at the forefront of knowledge.
- CN02 - Associate the assessments and implantable materials with the variability in the expression of diseases and biological differences between sexes.
- CN04 - Integrate the fundamentals of materials science and technology taking into account the relationship between microstructure, synthesis or processing and material properties.
- CP01 - Interpret relevant data (normally within their area of study) and issue judgements that include a reflection on relevant issues of a social, scientific and ethical nature.
- CP07 - Interpret material properties along with electrical, magnetic, mechanical and chemical behaviour to investigate new materials for different applications.
- HB03 - Validate calculations, valuations, appraisals, assessments, studies, reports, work plans and other similar works.
- HB11 - Apply the fundamentals of elasticity and resistance of materials to the behaviour of real solids.
- HB12 - Evaluate manufacturing systems and processes, metrology and quality control.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Apply the fundamentals of materials science, technology, and chemistry, and relate them to microstructure, synthesis or processing, and material properties.
• Solve problems related to manufacturing process engineering based on the materials that make up the component.
• Relate the structure of materials to their properties and applications.
• Apply materials testing standards.
• Justify the selection of materials, their shaping, treatment, coatings, and modes of use.
• Determine the most suitable material for each engineering application.
• Solve problems related to metrology and manufacturing processes.
• Recognize the regulations required for part manufacturing.
• Determine the optimal manufacturing process for a given part.
Syllabus
1) Materials for engineering
- Science and engineering of materials.
- Types of materials: metals, ceramics and glass, polymers, composite materials, semiconductors.
- From the structure to the properties.
2) Dislocations and sliding in crystals
- Unit cell.
- Crystal systems.
- Simple crystalline structures (BCC, FCC, HCP).
- Directions and crystallographic plans. Miller indices.
- Compact crystalline structures.
3) Elastic limit, tensile strength and ductility
- Traction test: tension-strain diagram
- Bending test
- Hardness test
- Impact test
- Fatigue test
4) Hardening mechanisms of hardening and plastic deformation in polycrystals
- Defects in crystalline materials (point defects, linear defects, planar defects, volumetric defects)
- Dislocations (Geometry of dislocations and Burguera vector)
- Movement of dislocations (sliding of dislocations)
5) Analysis of crystalline structures
- Diffraction techniques: X-ray diffraction (properties and X-ray sources, Bragg formulation, powder diffractometer)
- Identification and analysis of crystalline phases
6) Structure and characterization of polymers
- Obtaining the polymers (polymerization reactions). Molecular molecular mass and techniques for
determination.
- Molecular architecture (linear, branched and reticulated) and classification of polymers in thermoplastics,
thermostable and elastomers.
- Structure of polymers (amorphous and semi-crystalline). Techniques for the determination of the transition temperature
vitreous
- Copolymers.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Classes will be taught in theoretical format, problems and laboratory practices where competences will be introduced
specific to the subject. There will be face-to-face activities to work on oral and written communication and
teamwork.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The student's grade will be:
Final grade = 0.5 Final Exam + 0.3 Partial Exam + 0.2 Practical classes (exercises to solve / presentation / laboratory)
Second call
Final grade = 0.8 Second call exam + 0.2 Practical classes
Important considerations:
- Plagiarism, copying or any other action that may be considered cheating will be zero in that evaluation section. Besides, plagiarism during exams will mean the immediate failing of the whole subject.
- In the second-sitting exams, the maximum grade students will be able to obtain is "Excellent" (grade with honors distinction will not be posible).
- Changes of the calendar, exam dates or the evaluation system will not be accepted.
- Exchange students (Erasmus and others) or repeaters will be subjected to the same conditions as the rest of the students.
Important considerations
- Plagiarism, copying or any other form of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the corresponding component.
- If academic dishonesty is detected during an exam, it will result in the immediate failure of the course, with no chance of resitting.
- The use of artificial intelligence tools for the completion of assessment activities is strictly prohibited, except where their use is expressly authorized by the lecturer as part of the activity.
- The use or possession of electronic devices (mobile phones, smartwatches, earbuds, etc.) during exams is strictly prohibited.
Mere possession, even if the device is turned off, will be considered an attempt to cheat.
- If this occurs during the first call, it will result in the automatic failure of the exam, and the student will be required to attend the second call.
- If it occurs during the second call, it will result in the definitive failure of the course, and the student must re-enrol in the next academic year.
- No changes to the academic calendar, exam dates or evaluation system will be accepted under any circumstances.
- Exchange students (Erasmus or others) and repeaters are subject to the same evaluation and attendance conditions as all other students.
Bibliography and resources
Callister, William D. Introducción a la ciencia e ingeniería de los materiales. 2a ed. México: Limusa, 2009. ISBN 9786075000251.
Evaluation period
- E1 06/11/2025 P2A03 10:00h
- E1 12/01/2026 A10 08:00h