MSc in Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology

Programme Aims and Objectives

The programme provides an opportunity for applied scientists and engineers to pursue an in-depth study in various aspects of materials engineering and nanotechnology. Courses in this programme may also be used to fulfil the "top-up courses" requirement for joining the Materials Discipline of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE).

Designed to benefit students from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, the programme aims to enable students to:

• Have extensive knowledge of and possess analytical ability in the field of materials engineering and nanotechnology;
• Have the ability to apply the knowledge of materials engineering and nanotechnology to generate creative ethical solutions in the working environment;
• Be capable of communicating effectively in materials related professions;
• Design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
• Identify, formulate, solve engineering problems and generate new ideas in materials engineering and nanotechnology; and
• Recognize the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.

Key Facts

• Mode Of Study: Combined †
• Mode of Funding: Non-government-funded
• Intermediate Award:
  • Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate in Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology
• Indicative Intake Target: 70
• Minimum Number of Credits Required: 30
• Class Schedule: Daytime and evening sessions
• Normal Study Period:
  • Full-time: 1 year (2 semesters)
  • Part-time: 2 years (4 semesters)
• Maximum Study Period:
  • Full-time: 2.5 years
  • Part-time/Combined mode: 5 years
• Mode of Processing:
  • Applications are processed on a rolling basis. Review of applications will start before the deadline and continue until all places are filled. Early applications are therefore strongly encouraged.

† Combined mode: Local students taking programmes in combined mode can attend full-time (12-18 credit units per semester) or part-time (no more than 11 credit units per semester) study in different semesters without seeking approval from the University. For non-local students, they will be admitted to these programmes for either full-time or part-time studies. Non-local students must maintain the required credit load for their full-time or part-time studies and any changes will require approval from the University.

Course Description

Students must complete 3 required courses (9 credit units) and 21 credit units of elective courses.

Required courses:

• Instrumentation for Materials Characterization
• Quantum Theory of Semiconductors
• Structure and Deformation of Materials

Electives courses:

• Advanced Structural Materials
• Advanced Research
• Biomedical Materials and Devices with Nano-applications
• Building Materials
• Computational Methods for Materials Science
• Corrosion and Surface Engineering
• Forensic Engineering and Case Studies
• Functional Ceramics
• Nanomaterials Design for Energy Applications
• Photonics in Nanomaterial Systems and Devices
• Polymers and Composites and Nano-applications
• Reliability Engineering in Electronics Industry
• Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering
• Theory and Practice of Transmission Electron Microscopy and Related Spectroscopy
• Thermodynamics of Materials
• Thin Film Technology and Nanocrystalline Coatings

Intermediate Awards

For PGD award, students are required to complete three required courses and five electives from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. For the PGC award, students are required to complete three required courses and one elective from the Department. For Certificate of Completion, students have to complete all coursework, pass all examinations and with an attendance rate of at least 75% in a course offered by the Department. For the Certificate of Attendance, students have to achieve an attendance rate of at least 75% in a course offered by the Department.

Professional Accreditation

Students who graduated from this programme and fulfilling the requirements of HKIE are eligible for the Graduate Basis of Registration.

Did You Know?

• This is the only programme of its kind in Hong Kong.
• Graduates from this programme have been successful to become PhD students at CityU, or other universities in and outside Hong Kong.
• Graduates from this programme have good career opportunities in nanotechnology-related jobs in and outside Hong Kong.
• Our faculty members are leading material scientists with excellent research and publication records in world-renowned journals.
• The "Advanced Research" elective course enables qualified students to contact world-class research with our staff and research students; this gives the student valuable research experience and opportunities to publish research papers.
• The department has access to sophisticated instruments for materials engineering and nanotechnology research.