Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Materials engineering is concerned with the selection, processing and development of materials to design and make products. Materials – metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers and composites – give manufactured products their functional and aesthetic qualities.

Materials engineers apply their knowledge of the behaviour of materials to improve both the processing and the properties of a particular product. You'll work across a broad range of industries on everything from your phone screen and running shoes to aircraft wings and artificial skin, and in conjunction with mechanical engineering improve the performance of machines and structures.

Career paths can include design, operation, management, research and consulting in the automobile, whitegoods, steel, aluminium and polymer industries.

Graduate in demand

• UQ is the only university in Queensland to offer this highly specialised major.
• With a strong grounding in all aspects of materials engineering from material selection and failure analysis through to product design, research and development, and manufacturing processes, you will exit your degree with a highly valued qualification.
• Mechanical and materials engineers are employed by private companies such as AlumniTech, TechExpo and Integra LifeSciences Corp.