Materials Science and Engineering Programme code: W4-S1MA19.2023

Materials engineering is an interdisciplinary field of study that combines knowledge from fundamental sciences such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between the structure and properties of engineering materials. The harmonious integration of knowledge from these fundamental sciences allows students to build a solid theoretical foundation for acquiring practical skills in efficient shaping, manufacturing, designing, and modelling engineering materials with precisely defined properties that determine their applications. The concept of education in the field of materials engineering is based on many years of own experience strengthened by cooperation with partners from the economic and industrial, scientific and educational sectors, both in Poland and abroad. It is entirely consistent with the Development Strategy of the University of Silesia in Katowice for 2020-2025 and the Development Strategy of the Institute of Materials Science and Engineering for 2020-2025. Thanks to this synergy, the educational program provides students with up-to-date knowledge, skills and competencies necessary to meet the labour market requirements and responds to scientific and technological challenges. The curriculum of the Materials Engineering program enables students to acquire skills and competencies that encompass both interdisciplinary general education in materials science and specialized knowledge in the shaping, manufacturing, design, modelling, and selection of engineering materials suitable for specific applications. Additionally, students gain advanced practical knowledge and professional preparation in one of their chosen specializations: Innovative Engineering Materials or Biomaterials. Students have the opportunity to actively participate in creating and developing materials that have broad applications in various fields, including, but not limited to, medicine, aviation, and automotive industries. Including an individualized area-focused learning path allows students to tailor their study program to their interests. It enables them to view materials engineering from different perspectives while fostering their creativity and ability to collaborate with specialists from various fields. By transcending the boundaries of individual disciplines, students can leverage knowledge from different areas of science to create innovative and effective solutions. The modern labour market requires candidates for engineering positions to have an increasingly wide range of skills, such as analytical thinking, teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, creativity, adaptation to changing working conditions, interpersonal communication, knowledge of foreign languages, as well as the ability to use IT tools and new technologies. In order to meet these requirements, materials engineering students have the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills in various areas directly related to their field of study, as well as enable more straightforward navigation in a complex and demanding professional environment. The New Study Concept, giving students the freedom to choose their education path and enabling the adaptation of the curriculum to individual interests and future career plans, is implemented in the study programme of Materials Engineering through: - possibility to choose one of two specialities: Innovative Engineering Materials or Biomaterials. The indicated specializations allow students to gain in-depth knowledge of the selected subject, and the specialist modules offered within the specialization focus on current research problems and achievements in the discipline of materials engineering. Students have the opportunity not only to learn about the latest technologies and innovative engineering materials but also to participate in research carried out at the University of Silesia. Thanks to such interaction with academic teachers actively carrying out scientific research and access to modern research infrastructure, students have a chance to develop cognitive, research and practical skills and apply the acquired knowledge in real projects in the field of materials engineering. - a choice of eight programme co-related modules. Programme co-related modules are multi-faceted support for directional education. As part of the modules offered at this level of education, students have the opportunity to enrich their professional education by participating in modules from other disciplines. The choice of area modules allows students to understand better and use the various connections between their knowledge and competencies related to materials engineering and knowledge and methodology appropriate for other disciplines. Programme co-related modules allow looking at materials engineering from different perspectives, contributing to students' comprehensive development and flexibly broadening their ability to apply knowledge in practice. - possibility to choose modules from the Open Access Modules offer. The offer is not a fixed set of modules but is modified, considering the changing needs of students and new areas in modern knowledge. The study program in Materials Engineering has implemented an innovative approach following the New Concept of Studies at the University of Silesia in Katowice. This approach combines the transmission of current knowledge and the development of practical skills essential for engineering work, thus creating a rational understanding of the world. Thanks to this concept, graduates of Materials Engineering are prepared for effective adaptation in the job market, in line with the requirements of the contemporary professional environment. A graduate of Materials Engineering is open to new ideas and ready for the challenges that arise from the dynamic development of technology and materials. They can identify problems and find creative ways to solve them. With their flexibility and a willingness for continuous growth, they can quickly adapt to dynamically changing professional conditions. Their ability to effectively collaborate with specialists from various fields makes them a leader in projects that require interdisciplinary cooperation. With their skills, they can introduce innovative solutions on a large scale, contributing to technological and social progress. The monitoring of the effectiveness of the education program and identification of areas that require improvement are carried out in the field of Materials Engineering through the implementation of procedures within the Internal Quality Assurance System of Education. Systematic monitoring of the effectiveness of the education program ensures that graduates are equipped with appropriate knowledge, skills, and competencies that enable them to solve problems and engage in innovative projects effectively, thus responding to the scientific and technological challenges of the rapidly evolving field of materials engineering.

The condition for admission to the diploma examination is to achieve the learning outcomes provided for in the study program, to obtain a certificate of an appropriate level of language proficiency in a foreign language and to obtain positive grades for the diploma dissertation. The condition for graduation is to pass the diploma examination with at least a satisfactory result. A graduate receives a higher education diploma confirming obtaining the qualifications of the appropriate degree. Detailed rules of the diploma process and the requirements for the diploma thesis are set out in the Rules and Regulations of Studies at the University of Silesia and the diploma regulations.

The concept of education in Materials Engineering is based on many years of our own experience, reinforced by cooperation with partners from the economic-industrial, scientific, and educational sectors, both domestically and abroad. It is entirely in line with the Development Strategy of the University of Silesia in Katowice for 2020-2025 and the Development Strategy of the Institute of Materials Engineering for 2020-2025. Thanks to this synergy, the educational program provides students with up-to-date knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to meet the demands of the job market and address scientific and technological challenges. The participation of the University of Silesia in the competition under the Excellence Initiative - Research University program signifies the adoption of priority operational goals aimed at raising the level of scientific research and the quality of education, thereby enhancing the international significance of the University. Within this initiative, the University of Silesia focuses on developing five Priority Research Areas linked to today's civilisation's key challenges. A crucial goal is to enhance the quality of education for students in fields and disciplines related to the Priority Research Areas. Implementing two specialisations in Materials Engineering, namely Innovative Engineering Materials and Biomaterials directly relates to the Priority Research Areas defined in the University of Silesia Development Strategy for 2020-2025. The specialisation of Biomaterials is closely related to Priority Research Area No. 1: Harmonious Human Development - caring for health and quality of life. Graduates of this specialisation possess interdisciplinary knowledge about advanced biomaterials and extensive skills in shaping, manufacturing, designing, modelling, and selecting materials for medical applications. This enables them to engage in research and development projects in this field. With the acquired skills, they are able to co-create solutions that have a direct impact on improving the quality of life. The specialisation in Innovative Engineering Materials is closely related to two Priority Research Areas (POAs): Area 2 - Advanced materials and technologies and their sociocultural implications, and Area 3 - Environmental and climate changes and their associated social challenges. Graduates of this specialisation possess interdisciplinary knowledge about advanced, innovative materials, production methods, and research into their properties that determine their range of applications. The information conveyed during the educational process inspires creative thinking and problem-solving related to materials engineering. As a result, graduates can effectively collaborate with specialists from other fields, contributing to the development and implementation of innovative material solutions in various industrial sectors, including addressing adverse climate changes. Implementing the New Study Concept in Materials Engineering strengthens the connection between the field and Priority Research Areas. This is achieved by introducing eight specialised modules into the curriculum, allowing for crossing boundaries between individual disciplines and utilising knowledge from various scientific areas to create innovative and effective solutions. The New Study Concept in Materials Engineering encourages an interdisciplinary perception of the surrounding reality. The didactic process in Materials Engineering utilises various forms of internationalisation of education (internationalisation at home). For example, foreign language education is implemented throughout the entire teaching cycle, and academic teachers from the country and foreign institutions conduct classes. This education is carried out within selected modules, particularly as part of the Materials Science and Engineering program, aimed at both domestic and international students. An essential aspect of initiatives related to the internationalisation of education in materials engineering is promoting student mobility and the mobility of staff involved in the teaching process through the use of the Erasmus program, one of Europe's most recognised student mobility programs. Undertaking actions related to acquiring international educational projects is of significant importance for further developing various forms of internationalisation of education in materials engineering. During classes in Materials Engineering, various teaching methods are used, such as expository, problem-based, interactive, practical, and self-learning methods. This creates a diverse and interactive learning environment. The catalogue of teaching methods outlined in the Course Syllabus is not a closed set, allowing instructors to freely choose and apply optimal teaching methods tailored to the needs of the group and the level of difficulty of the content being conveyed. The university provides infrastructure that enables classes to be conducted in various forms, including those utilizing the latest information and communication technologies. The teaching process in the field of Materials Engineering is systematically monitored, and the achieved outcomes are verified through the implemented procedures of the Internal Education Quality Assurance System.