Honour School of Materials Science
Differences from 2021/22 to 2022/23
A
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1. The subject of the Honour School of Materials Science shall be the study of Materials Science.
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2. No candidate shall be admitted to the examination in this school unless he or she has either passed or been exempted from the First Public Examination.
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3. The examination in this school shall be under the supervision of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Board, which shall prescribe the necessary regulations.
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4. A candidate registered on the four year Master of Engineering in Materials Science degree programme is permitted, at a date no later than Friday of the 3rd week of Michaelmas Term in the year of Part I of the Second Public Examination, to transfer to the three year Bachelor of Arts in Materials Science programme, provided no such candidate may later enter the Part II year or supplicate for the degree of Master of Engineering in Materials Science.
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5. Following Friday of the 3rd week of Michaelmas Term in the year of Part I of the Second Public Examination a candidate registered on the four year Master of Engineering in Materials Science degree programme is permitted, at a date no later than Friday of the 8th week of Trinity Term in the year of Part I of the Second Public Examination, to transfer to the three year Bachelor of Arts in Materials Science programme, provided no such candidate may later enter the Part II year or supplicate for the degree of Master of Engineering in Materials Science. In such cases the candidate will complete the Part I Examination as specified for the Master of Engineering programme and will in addition be required to complete during a specified period of the Long Vacation immediately following Trinity Term of the year of Part I of the Second Public Examination the extended essay specified in the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Materials Science. The Examiners will consider the outcome for such a candidate at the classification meeting held soon after the end of Trinity full term in the year following that of Part I of the Second Public Examination.
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6. The examination for the Master of Engineering degree in Materials Science shall consist of Part I and Part II, and shall be partly of a practical nature. Candidates will be expected to show knowledge based on practical work: normally this requirement shall be satisfied by the Examiners' assessment of the practical work done by candidates during their course of study.
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7. The examination for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Materials Science shall consist of one Part only, and shall be partly of a practical nature. Candidates will be expected to show knowledge based on practical work: normally this requirement shall be satisfied by the Examiners' assessment of the practical work done by candidates during their course of study.
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8. No candidate for the degree of Master of Engineering in Materials Science may present him or herself for examination in Part II unless he or she has (a) been adjudged worthy of Honours by the Examiners in Part I and (b) normally obtained a minimum mark of 50% averaged over all elements of assessment for the Part I Examination.
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9. The name of a candidate for the degree of Master of Engineering in Materials Science shall not be published in a class list until he or she has completed all parts of the examination and has been adjudged worthy of Honours by the Examiners in Part I and Part II of the examination in consecutive years. The Examiners shall give due consideration to the performance in all elements of the respective examinations.
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10. The name of a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Materials Science shall not be published in a class list until he or she has completed the examination and has been adjudged worthy of Honours by the Examiners. The Examiners shall give due consideration to the performance in all elements of the examination.
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11. For candidates for the degree of Master of Engineering in Materials Science the Examiners shall be entitled to award (i) unclassified Honours to candidates in Part I who have been adjudged worthy of Honours but have obtained a mark of less than 50% averaged over all elements of assessment for the Part I Examination or (ii) a pass to candidates in Part I who have reached a standard considered adequate but who have not been adjudged worthy of Honours. To achieve Honours at Part I normally a candidate must fulfil all of the requirements under (a), (b), & (c) of this clause. (a) Obtain a minimum mark of 40% averaged over all elements of assessment for the Part I Examination, (b) obtain a minimum mark of 40% in each of at least four of the six written papers sat in Trinity Term of the year of Part I of the Second Public Examination, and (c) satisfy the coursework requirements set out in Section B, Part I below.
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12. For candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Materials Science the Examiners shall be entitled to award a pass to candidates who have reached a standard considered adequate but who have not been adjudged worthy of Honours. To achieve Honours normally a candidate must fulfil all of the requirements under (a), (b), & (c) of this clause. (a) Obtain a minimum mark of 40% averaged over all elements of assessment for the Examination, (b) obtain a minimum mark of 40% in each of at least four of the six written papers sat in Trinity Term of the year of the Second Public Examination, and (c) satisfy the coursework requirements set out in Section B, below.
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13. A candidate for the degree of Master of Engineering in Materials Science who obtains a mark of less than 50% averaged over all elements of assessment for the Part I Examination or who fails to satisfy the Examiners may enter again for the whole of Part I of the examination on one, but no more than one, subsequent occasion. Normally (i) this subsequent occasion shall be during the academic year immediately following the first decision of the Examiners and (ii) the examination will be identical to that taken by the other Part I candidates in said academic year. A candidate who is adjudged worthy of Honours and obtains a mark of 50% or more averaged over all elements of assessment on the occasion of this resit may progress to Part II in the academic year following that of the resit examination; such a candidate will carry forward a Part I mark of 50% only. Part II shall be entered on one occasion only.
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14. A candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Materials Science who obtains only a pass, or fails to satisfy the Examiners may enter again for the examination on one, but no more than one, subsequent occasion. Normally (i) this subsequent occasion shall be during the academic year immediately following the first decision of the Examiners and (ii) the examination will be identical to that taken by the other candidates for the BA in Materials Science in said academic year. The Examiners shall be entitled to award a 3rd class Honours classification to a candidate who is adjudged worthy of Honours and obtains a mark of 40% or more averaged over all elements of assessment on the occasion of this resit. The Examiners shall be entitled to award a Pass to a candidate who has reached a standard considered adequate but who has not been adjudged worthy of Honours on the occasion of this resit.
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15. A candidate for the degree of Master of Engineering in Materials Science adjudged worthy of Honours in Part I and worthy of Honours in Part II may supplicate for the Degree of Master of Engineering in Materials Science, provided that the candidate has fulfilled all the conditions for admission to a degree of the University.
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16. A candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Materials Science adjudged worthy of Honours may supplicate for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Material Science, provided that the candidate has fulfilled all the conditions for admission to a degree of the University.
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17. A candidate for the degree of Master of Engineering in Materials Science who fails to obtain Honours in Part II, or who is adjudged worthy of Honours in Part I and who obtains a minimum mark of 50% averaged over all elements of assessment for the Part I Examination but who does not enter Part II, or who is adjudged worthy of Honours in Part I but who obtains a mark of less than 50% averaged over all elements of assessment for the Part I Examination, or who passes Part I, is permitted to supplicate for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Materials Science (unclassified Honours or pass, as appropriate); provided that no such candidate may later enter or re-enter the Part II year or supplicate for the degree of Master of Engineering in Materials Science or supplicate for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Materials Science (classified Honours); and provided in each case that the candidate has fulfilled all the conditions for admission to a degree of the University.
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18. A candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Materials Science who passes the Second Public Examination but is not adjudged worthy of Honours is permitted to supplicate for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Materials Science (pass); provided that no such candidate may later supplicate for the degree of Bachelor of Arts (classified or unclassified Honours) in Materials Science; and provided in each case that the candidate has fulfilled all the conditions for admission to a degree of the University.
B
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1. In the following, ‘the Course Handbook’ refers to the Materials Science and Materials, Economics & Management Final Honours School Course Handbook, published annually at the start of Michaelmas Term by the Faculty of Materials and also posted on the website at: http://www.materials.ox.ac.uk/teaching/ug/ughandbooks.html.
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2. Candidates are restricted to models of calculators included in the Course Handbook published in the academic year preceding either Part I of the Second Public Examination for the degree of Master of Engineering in Materials Science or the Second Public Examination for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Materials Science.
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3. Supplementary subjects or the completion of an approved course of instruction in a foreign language:
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(a) As an alternative to offering Engineering and Society coursework, candidates may either offer themselves for examination in a Supplementary Subject or complete an approved, assessed course of instruction in a foreign language, as permitted under clause 3.(c) of the regulations for Materials Science Part I. A candidate who wishes to offer a Supplementary Subject must have the proposal approved by the Chair of the Faculty of Materials or deputy. Where an approved course of instruction in a foreign language is available (including a Supplementary Subject in a foreign language), entry of candidates for such examinations shall require the approval of the Chair of the Faculty of Materials and the Director of the Language Centre or their deputies. Approval shall not be given to candidates who have, at the start of the course, already acquired demonstrable skills exceeding the target learning outcomes in the chosen language.
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(b) Candidates for Supplementary Subjects or a Foreign Language course may offer themselves for examination in the academic year preceding that in which they take either Part I of the Second Public Examination for the degree of Master of Engineering in Materials Science or the Second Public Examination for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Materials Science.
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(c) The Supplementary Subjects available in any year will be published, together with the term in which each subject will be examined, in the Course Handbook in the academic year in which the courses are delivered. Regulations governing the use of calculators in individual Supplementary Subjects will be notified when the availability of these subjects is published in the Course Handbook.
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PART I of the Examination for the degree of Master of Engineering in Materials Science
The examination will consist of:
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1. Four general papers of three hours each on the fundamental principles and engineering applications of the subject in accordance with the schedule below. The questions set in these papers normally will be such that candidates may reasonably be expected to answer a high proportion of them.
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2. Two Materials Options papers, each of three hours, containing a wide choice of questions in accordance with the schedule below.
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3. In addition to the written papers, the Examiners shall require evidence of satisfactory completion, over a period of five terms subsequent to the sitting of the First Public Examination, of each element of coursework in Materials, as detailed below. In the assessment of the Materials coursework, the Examiners shall take into consideration the requirement for a candidate to complete satisfactorily the coursework to a level prescribed from time to time by the Faculty of Materials and published in the Course Handbook. Normally, failure to complete satisfactorily all six elements of Materials Coursework will constitute failure of Part I of the Second Public Examination. The coursework elements shall be:
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(a) Materials Practical Classes
Candidates shall be required to submit the three summatively assessed Reports of Practical Work in Materials and their Practical Class Notebook(s) completed over a period of three terms subsequent to the sitting of the First Public Examination. Such reports should be uploaded to the University approved online assessment platform, not later than noon on Tuesday of the second week of Michaelmas Full Term in the year of Part I of the Second Public Examination. The Examiners shall have the power to require a practical examination of any candidate or to require further evidence, of any kind that they deem appropriate, of a candidate's practical work and ability.
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(b) Reports on Industrial Visits
Candidates shall be required to upload to the University approved online assessment platform reports on a number of industrial visits normally undertaken over a period of five terms subsequent to the sitting of the First Public Examination. The required number of visits, types of visits allowed, the nature of the reports, and deadlines for submission shall be specified in the Course Handbook.
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(c) Entrepreneurship Coursework
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Candidates shall be required to submit one piece of Entrepreneurship Coursework, the details of which shall be stated in the Course Handbook. Candidates will be required to upload the coursework to the University approved online assessment platform, not later than noon on the Monday following the end of Hilary Full Term in the year preceding the Part I examination. Each submission must be accompanied by a declaration indicating that it is the candidate’s own work. As an alternative to offering Entrepreneurship coursework, candidates may either offer themselves for examination in a Supplementary Subject or complete an approved, assessed course of instruction in a foreign language.
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(d) Team Design Project
Candidates shall be required to complete a team design project in the first two weeks of Michaelmas Full Term in the year of the Second Public Examination, and subsequently (i) to upload to the University approved online assessment platform a report on the project and (ii) to deliver to the Examiners an oral presentation on the project, both as detailed in the Course Handbook. The work must be the candidate’s own and the candidate shall include with the written report a certificate to that effect.
- (e) Introduction to Modelling in Materials Coursework
- Candidates shall be required to complete an Introduction to Modelling in Materials course in the sixth week of Michaelmas Full Term in the year of the Second Public Examination, upload a portfolio of work from the course, as detailed in the Course Handbook, to the University approved online assessment platform not later than 12 noon on Tuesday of the week following the Michaelmas Full Term. Each submission must be accompanied by a declaration indicating that it is the candidate’s own work.
- (f) Characterisation of Materials Coursework or Atomistic Modelling Coursework
- Candidates shall be required to complete either a Characterisation of Materials course or an Atomistic Modelling course in the fourth and fifth weeks of Hilary Full Term in the year of the Second Public Examination, and subsequently to upload a portfolio of work from the course, as detailed in the Course Handbook, to the University approved online assessment platform not later than 12 noon on Tuesday of the sixth week of Hilary Full Term. Each submission must be accompanied by a declaration indicating that it is the candidate’s own work.
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Elements of coursework previously submitted for the Honour School of Materials Science may be resubmitted. No essay or report will be accepted if it has already been submitted wholly or substantially for another honour school or degree of this University, or for a degree at any other institution. Resubmitted work must be physically presented at the time and in the manner prescribed for submission.
Examination for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Materials Science
For a candidate under clause (4) of Part A of the special regulations for the Honour School of Materials Science the examination will consist of:
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All elements described in clauses one, two, and three under Part I of the Examination for the degree of Master of Engineering in Materials Science, excepting that:
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1. The two Materials Options papers of clause two will be each of 1.5 hours duration.
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2. An additional element of coursework is included under clause three:
- (g) An Extended Essay on an approved topic in Materials Science
- Candidates shall be required to complete an extended essay, as detailed in the Course Handbook, in the year of the Second Public Examination, under the guidance of an advisor appointed by the Chair of Faculty or his/her deputy. The Examiners shall obtain a report on the work of each candidate from the advisor concerned. The essay shall also include an abstract and should be accompanied by a declaration indicating that it is the candidate's own work. The essay should be uploaded to the University approved online assessment platform, not later than noon on the third Monday following the end of Hilary Full Term. The essay shall be word-processed on A4 paper (within a page area of 247 mm x 160 mm, using double line-spaced type of at least 11pt font size, with a left hand margin of at least 30mm). The essay should not exceed 4,000 words. This word count excludes references, title page, acknowledgements and table of contents. All other text is included in the word count, including the abstract, tables and the figure captions.
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Elements of coursework submitted for the Honour School of Materials Science may be resubmitted. No essay or report will be accepted if it has already been submitted wholly or substantially for another honour school or degree of this University, or for a degree at any other institution. Resubmitted work must be physically presented at the time and in the manner prescribed for submission.
For a candidate under clause (5) of Part A of the special regulations for the Honour School of Materials Science the examination will consist of:
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All elements described in clauses one, two, and three under Part I of the Examination for the degree of Master of Engineering in Materials Science, excepting that:
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1. An additional element of coursework is included under clause three:
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(g) An Extended Essay on an approved topic in Materials Science
As for a candidate under clause (4) of Part A of the special regulations for the Honour School of Materials Science excepting that, as specified in the Course Handbook, (i) candidates shall be required to complete the extended essay during the Long Vacation immediately following the year of the Second Public Examination and (ii) submission via the University approved online assessment platform, shall be no later than noon on a day to be specified by the Chair of Faculty or his/her deputy and in any case shall be no later than the last Friday of the Long Vacation immediately following the year of the Second Public Examination.
Schedule
(a) General papers
All candidates will be expected to have such knowledge of mathematics as is required for the study of the subjects of the examination.
General Paper 1: Lifecycle, Processing and Engineering of Materials
General Paper 2: Electronic Properties of Materials
General Paper 3: Mechanical Properties of Materials
General Paper 4: Structure and Thermodynamics of Materials
(b) Materials Options Papers 1 and 2
The subjects for these papers will be published annually in the Course Handbook.
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PART II of the Examination for the degree of Master of Engineering in Materials Science
Candidates offering Part II of the examination will be expected to carry out investigations in Materials Science or in related subjects under the supervision of one of the following:
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(i) any professor who is a member of one of the Faculties in the Physical Sciences;
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(ii) a reader or university lecturer or senior research officer who is a member of one of the Faculties of Physical Sciences;
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(iii) a tutor or lecturer in any society who is a member of one of the Faculties of Physical Sciences;
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(iv) any other person listed in a Register of Part II Supervisors to be maintained by the Faculty of Materials.
Each candidate shall be examined viva voce, and, if the Examiners think fit, in writing, on the subject of his or her work and on matters relevant thereto. The Examiners shall obtain a report on the work of each candidate from the supervisor concerned.
A candidate intending to offer Part II shall give notice to the Registrar not later than Friday in the fourth week of Michaelmas Full Term in the calendar year in which he or she satisfied the Examiners in Part I. Such notice must be given on a form to be obtained from the Registrar, University Offices.
Every candidate for Part II is required to submit a report on the investigations which he or she has carried out under the direction of his or her supervisor. The report on the investigations shall also include an abstract, a literature survey, a description of the engineering context of the investigation, and a special chapter to cover reflective accounts of project management, ethical and sustainability considerations, and health, safety and risk assessment. The report should be accompanied by a declaration confirming that it is the candidate's own work. Candidates will be required to upload the coursework to the University approved online assessment platform not later than 4pm on the Monday of the seventh week of Trinity Full Term. The report shall be word-processed on A4 paper (within a page area of 247 mm x 160 mm, using double line-spaced type of at least 11pt font size, with a left hand margin of at least 30mm). The main report should not normally exceed 12,000 words together with a maximum of a further 3,000 words for the final chapter covering reflective accounts of project management (max 1,500 words), health, safety and risk assessment processes (max 500 words), and the ethical and sustainability considerations relevant to your project and its outcomes (max 1,000 words). These word counts exclude references, title page, acknowledgements, table of contents and the three Project Management Forms. All other text is included in the word count, including the abstract, tables and the figure captions. Additionally, the main report should not normally exceed 100 pages in length. This page limit excludes references, title page, acknowledgements, table of contents and appendices. Every other part of the main report is included in the page limit. All pages of the report should be numbered sequentially. Each submission must be accompanied by a declaration indicating that it is the candidate’s own work. Candidates seeking permission to exceed the word and/or page limits should apply to the Chair of Examiners at an early stage. Further detailed data, computer programs and similar material may be included in one or more appendices at the end of the main report, but appendices are not included within the limits of the word or page counts of the thesis and, entirely at the discretion of the Examiners for each report, may or may not be read.
Candidates for Part II will be required to keep statutory residence and pursue their investigations at Oxford during a period thirty-seven weeks between the dates specified below, except that the Divisional Board of Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences shall have power to permit candidates to vary the period of their residence so long as the overall programme requirement is met. The Divisional Board may, on the recommendation of the Department of Materials, permit candidates to carry out their investigations for the required period at an approved institution outside Oxford; the Board shall determine the conditions upon which applications for such permission may be approved and will require to be satisfied in each case (a) that adequate arrangements are made for the candidate's supervision and (b) that the proposals for the investigations are agreed in advance between the Department of Materials and the host institution.
Periods of required residence for Part II
From the fifth Friday before to the first Saturday following Michaelmas Full Term.
From the second Friday before Hilary Full Term to the Saturday before Palm Sunday.
From the Friday following Easter to the second Saturday following Trinity Full Term.