course-details-portlet

TMT4125

Introduction to Materials Science

New from the academic year 2025/2026

Credits 7.5
Level Foundation courses, level I
Course start Autumn 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement School exam

About

About the course

Course content

Course Content

The present course introduces the principles of materials science, covering metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites and explaining how their properties are influenced by atomic structure and bonding. Students will explore solid structures, including crystallography, and learn about defects such as vacancies and dislocations, which play a key role in material behaviour and stability. Key mechanical properties, including stress, strain, and strengthening mechanisms, will be examined, with a particular focus on metals.

Students will study binary phase diagrams and phase transformations to understand material stability, processing, and microstructural development. Practical applications across chemical engineering, biotechnology, materials science, and chemistry are highlighted, with examples also from mechanical and biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, and sustainable materials. These examples demonstrate the interdisciplinary impact and relevance of materials science.

Learning outcome

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Classify materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites) and explain how chemical composition, atomic structure, and bonding influence their mechanical and thermal properties.
  • Identify and describe atomic and crystal structures in materials, including body-centred cubic (BCC), face-centred cubic (FCC), and hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structures, and explain how these structures influence material properties such as strength and ductility.
  • Explain the impact of atomic-level imperfections (vacancies, dislocations) and microstructural features (such as grain boundaries) on the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and overall behaviour of materials.
  • Perform basic crystallographic calculations and interpret binary phase diagrams to determine phase composition and predict microstructural transformations in alloys and other materials.
  • Demonstrate understanding of key mechanical properties, including stress, strain, elasticity, toughness, and hardness, and relate these properties to the behaviour of materials under various types of mechanical loading.
  • Conduct laboratory work to prepare, characterise, and analyse materials using different analytical methods and document experimental results in lab reports.

Learning methods and activities

Learning Methods and Activities

The course includes lectures, problem-solving and reflection exercises, and hands-on laboratory work, totalling 200 hours of guided and independent study. Students will engage in:

  • Lectures (56 hours): Comprehensive presentations covering theoretical principles and interdisciplinary applications.
  • Exercises (42 hours): Structured problem-solving and reflection sessions to reinforce key concepts and develop analytical skills in materials science.
  • Laboratory Work (30 hours): Practical laboratory sessions providing hands-on experience in materials characterisation and testing methods, including microscopy and mechanical testing.
  • Independent Study (72 hours): Self-guided study to deepen understanding of course materials and prepare for assessments.

Compulsory assignments

  • Excersices
  • Laboratory course

Further on evaluation

Evaluation and Assessment

To qualify for the final exam, students must meet all compulsory requirements. Details of these requirements and approval criteria will be provided at the beginning of the course.

The final grade will consist of a written Examination which evaluates understanding of core theoretical concepts and applications across materials science, chemical engineering, biotechnology, and chemistry. This examination assesses student’s ability to apply interdisciplinary knowledge effectively.

In the event of a re-sit exam, the examination may switch from written to oral format. Retake of

Specific Conditions

Requires admission to the study program MTKMB

Specific conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required:
Industrial Chemistry, Materials and Biotechnology (MTKMB)

Required previous knowledge

Prerequisites

Access to the course requires enrollment in the study program MTKMB.

Course materials

Course Materials

Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction av William D. Callister og David G. Rethwisch, 10th edition. Global edition. SI version. Wiley, Hoboken, NJ, USA, 2020. ISBN 9781119453918

In addition, lecture notes and materials made available during the course.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
IMAK2011 2 sp Autumn 2025
TMT4171 6 sp Autumn 2025
TMT4178 2 sp Autumn 2025
TMT4185 5 sp Autumn 2025
TMT4186 5 sp Autumn 2025
This course has academic overlap with the courses in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Materials Science and Engineering
  • Physical Metallurgy
  • Process Metallurgy
  • Technological subjects

Contact information

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: School exam
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code D Date 2025-12-04 Time 15:00 Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment
Place and room for school exam

The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.

Sluppenvegen 14
Room SL110 turkis sone
70 candidates
Room SL430
47 candidates
Room SL111 orange sone
47 candidates
Room SL111 brun sone
6 candidates

Re-sit examination - Summer 2026

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code D Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.