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About the course
Study how the structure, processing and properties of metals, polymers, ceramics and composites determine their performance. You will investigate materials with laboratory methods, select them for engineering applications and address failure, durability and environmental impact. Projects draw on Southern African manufacturing, infrastructure and resource contexts.
What you'll learn
- Explain how material structure and processing affect properties and performance.
- Interpret laboratory evidence from the characterisation and testing of engineering materials.
- Select metals, polymers, ceramics or composites for a defined engineering application.
- Investigate failure, durability and environmental impact, then present a justified design decision.
Requirements
- Entry requires relevant A Level STEM subjects or a National Certificate in a relevant STEM or TVET discipline. English Language is required. A relevant National Diploma may support second-year entry where BMIT approves module equivalence and professional rules permit. Advanced entry is not automatic.
- African Kalanga is a compulsory graduation subject in every year of this programme. BMIT confirms the approved entry route, any recognition of prior learning and access to required practical facilities before enrolment.
Course content
Sections: 5
•Activities: 1
•Resources: 40
Subjects in this programme
The subjects progress from engineering mathematics and science to materials characterisation, processing, design and supervised practice. Laboratory and workplace work requires approved facilities, safe procedures and appropriate supervision.
Select a subject to read its learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment.
Level 1: Mathematical, scientific and professional foundations
- Differential Calculus
- Integral Calculus and Differential Equations
- Linear Algebra
- Mechanics and General Physics
- Electricity, Magnetism and Waves
- General Chemistry
- Engineering Drawing and CAD
- Programming Fundamentals
- Engineering Materials
- Engineering Statics
- Academic and Professional Communication
- Engineering Professional Practice
Level 2: Core engineering subjects
- Materials Structure and Crystallography
- Materials Thermodynamics and Phase Diagrams
- Physical Metallurgy and Alloy Design
- Polymer Science and Processing
- Ceramics and Glass Engineering
- Materials Characterisation
- Strength of Materials
- Applied Statistics
Level 3: Specialist and integrative subjects
- Composite Materials Engineering
- Corrosion and Surface Engineering
- Materials Processing and Manufacturing
- Electronic and Functional Materials
- Quality Management and Improvement
- Research Methods
Level 4: Design, practice and final project
- Engineering Design Methods
- Materials Selection and Lifecycle Design
- Supervised Workplace Learning
- Integrated Materials Project and Technical Report
African History and Pan Africanism
- African History and Pan Africanism 101 (Level 1, compulsory core module): Study African history through oral, written and archaeological evidence. Examine the diversity of African societies, knowledge and exchange, then trace the emergence of Pan African ideas about identity, solidarity and self-determination.
- African History and Pan Africanism 201 (Level 2, compulsory core module): Examine colonial change, resistance and liberation across Africa, with attention to Zimbabwe and South Africa. Compare Pan African movements, organisations and debates, including contributions from women, workers and diaspora communities.
- African History and Pan Africanism 301 (Level 3, compulsory core module): Evaluate the legacy of Pan Africanism in continental and regional cooperation, culture and public life. Apply historical inquiry to a heritage, community or professional issue, recognising both achievements and contested interpretations.
Assessment and practical learning
- Problem sets and technical reports assess calculations, material behaviour and the interpretation of evidence.
- Supervised laboratory tasks assess safe procedures, accurate records and individual explanation of results.
- A materials selection portfolio and final investigation assess design judgement, verification and clear technical communication.
Practical application
Use approved materials laboratories, prepared specimens and industry-informed case studies. Workplace learning and the final project require supervision, an evidence record and a documented safety review.
African History and Pan Africanism practical learning
- African History and Pan Africanism 101: Create an annotated timeline or digital learning poster on a selected African society or historical development. Compare at least two credible sources and explain one connection with your field of study.
- African History and Pan Africanism 201: Develop a comparative case study of a liberation issue or Pan African debate relevant to Southern Africa. Use a historical document alongside a scholarly account and explain differences in purpose and interpretation.
- African History and Pan Africanism 301: Prepare a sourced heritage or civic-learning project connected with your field or a Southern African community. Explain its historical basis, audience, permission needs and limits. Obtain consent if you conduct interviews.
Subject descriptions
Each subject includes its purpose, learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment approach.
Differential Calculus
Level 1: Mathematical, scientific and professional foundations
Examine functions, limits and their relationship within differential calculus. The subject develops differentiation and rates of change, then examines optimisation and model assumptions. Analyse a measured change and compare graphical and algebraic solutions.
Integral Calculus and Differential Equations
Level 1: Mathematical, scientific and professional foundations
Develop your understanding of integral calculus and differential equations through integration and accumulated quantities. The subject develops first-order equations and second-order equations, then examines initial conditions and numerical checks. Model a simple accumulation process and check the solution against a numerical estimate.
Linear Algebra
Level 1: Mathematical, scientific and professional foundations
Study vectors and matrices as foundations for linear algebra. The subject develops linear systems and eigenvalues, then examines transformations and computational verification. Solve a small system using manual reasoning and a computational check.
Mechanics and General Physics
Level 1: Mathematical, scientific and professional foundations
Examine motion, forces and their relationship within mechanics and general physics. The subject develops energy and momentum, then examines oscillations and measurement uncertainty. Use a supervised teaching experiment to compare observation with a physical model.
Electricity, Magnetism and Waves
Level 1: Mathematical, scientific and professional foundations
Develop your understanding of electricity, magnetism and waves through electric fields and magnetic fields. The subject develops electromagnetic induction and wave behaviour, then examines optical principles and physical models. Interpret measurements from supervised electrical or optical teaching equipment.
General Chemistry
Level 1: Mathematical, scientific and professional foundations
Study atomic structure and bonding as foundations for general chemistry. The subject develops chemical quantities and solutions, then examines equilibrium and acids and bases. Analyse low-risk teaching data and complete approved laboratory exercises.
Engineering Drawing and CAD
Level 1: Mathematical, scientific and professional foundations
Examine orthographic views, sections and their relationship within engineering drawing and cad. The subject develops dimensions and tolerances, then examines assembly drawings and digital modelling. Produce drawings for a non-safety-critical teaching component.
Programming Fundamentals
Level 1: Mathematical, scientific and professional foundations
Develop your understanding of programming fundamentals through variables and control flow. The subject develops functions and data structures, then examines file handling and testing. Develop a small program which processes a defined teaching dataset.
Engineering Materials
Level 1: Mathematical, scientific and professional foundations
Study material classes and structure and properties as foundations for engineering materials. The subject develops mechanical behaviour and thermal behaviour, then examines corrosion and material selection. Compare material samples or published teaching data against a component brief.
Engineering Statics
Level 1: Mathematical, scientific and professional foundations
Examine force systems, equilibrium and their relationship within engineering statics. The subject develops free-body diagrams and structures, then examines friction and distributed loads. Analyse a simple structural model and check equilibrium experimentally.
Academic and Professional Communication
Level 1: Mathematical, scientific and professional foundations
Develop your understanding of academic and professional communication through reading strategies and evidence use. The subject develops report structure and presentations, then examines audience and referencing. Prepare a report and presentation for a defined professional audience.
Engineering Professional Practice
Level 1: Mathematical, scientific and professional foundations
Study professional responsibility and ethics as foundations for engineering professional practice. The subject develops technical communication and public welfare, then examines evidence integrity and continuing development. Analyse a regional engineering decision involving conflicting responsibilities.
Materials Structure and Crystallography
Level 2: Core engineering subjects
Relate atomic bonding and crystal structure to the behaviour of engineering materials. Interpret defects, microstructures and diffraction evidence.
Materials Thermodynamics and Phase Diagrams
Level 2: Core engineering subjects
Use thermodynamics and phase diagrams to explain transformations during materials processing and service.
Physical Metallurgy and Alloy Design
Level 2: Core engineering subjects
Examine the links between alloy composition, processing, microstructure and mechanical properties.
Polymer Science and Processing
Level 2: Core engineering subjects
Study polymer structure, behaviour and processing for practical engineering applications.
Ceramics and Glass Engineering
Level 2: Core engineering subjects
Examine how composition, forming and heat treatment influence the properties of ceramics and glass.
Materials Characterisation
Level 2: Core engineering subjects
Select and interpret methods for examining composition, structure and defects in materials.
Strength of Materials
Level 2: Core engineering subjects
Examine stress and strain, elastic behaviour and their relationship within strength of materials. The subject develops bending and torsion, then examines deflection and failure criteria. Interpret supervised material-test results and relate them to a component model.
Applied Statistics
Level 2: Core engineering subjects
Develop your understanding of applied statistics through descriptive measures and probability. The subject develops sampling and estimation, then examines hypothesis testing and regression. Analyse an approved dataset and distinguish uncertainty from systematic bias.
Composite Materials Engineering
Level 3: Specialist and integrative subjects
Investigate reinforcement, matrix selection, manufacture and performance of composite materials.
Corrosion and Surface Engineering
Level 3: Specialist and integrative subjects
Identify corrosion mechanisms and assess ways to protect materials in service.
Materials Processing and Manufacturing
Level 3: Specialist and integrative subjects
Compare manufacturing routes for metals, polymers, ceramics and composites using material properties and production constraints.
Electronic and Functional Materials
Level 3: Specialist and integrative subjects
Explore electrical, magnetic and optical properties that enable sensors, electronic devices and energy applications.
Quality Management and Improvement
Level 3: Specialist and integrative subjects
Examine quality criteria, process variation and their relationship within quality management and improvement. The subject develops traceability and nonconformity, then examines corrective action and improvement measures. Investigate a quality problem using permissioned records or teaching data.
Research Methods
Level 3: Specialist and integrative subjects
Develop your understanding of research methods through research questions and literature review. The subject develops study design and data collection, then examines ethics and interpretation. Prepare a feasible investigation proposal with a defined evidence need.
Engineering Design Methods
Level 4: Design, practice and final project
Study problem definition and requirements as foundations for engineering design methods. The subject develops concept comparison and constraints, then examines verification planning and design review. Develop and review alternatives for a defined civilian technical need.
Materials Selection and Lifecycle Design
Level 4: Design, practice and final project
Apply performance, manufacture, cost and environmental criteria to the selection of materials for an engineering product.
Supervised Workplace Learning
Level 4: Design, practice and final project
Develop your understanding of supervised workplace learning through workplace roles and approved task planning. The subject develops professional conduct and technical records, then examines feedback and reflective learning. Complete an agreed placement task under an approved workplace supervisor.
Integrated Materials Project and Technical Report
Level 4: Design, practice and final project
Complete a supervised materials investigation or design project from question to verified conclusion.
African History and Pan Africanism 101
Compulsory core module · Level 1
Study African history through oral, written and archaeological evidence. Examine the diversity of African societies, knowledge and exchange, then trace the emergence of Pan African ideas about identity, solidarity and self-determination.
Learning outcomes
- Place selected African societies and events within a supported historical timeline.
- Compare historical sources and identify perspective, evidence and uncertainty.
- Explain the foundations of Pan Africanism and the contributions of Africans and the diaspora.
Main topics
- Historical inquiry, chronology, oral traditions and source evaluation
- African civilisations, states, trade, livelihoods and knowledge systems
- Southern African history, including Mapungubgwe and Great Zimbabwe
- Slavery, the African diaspora and changing ideas about identity
- Origins of Pan Africanism, solidarity, self-determination and cultural expression
Practical task
Create an annotated timeline or digital learning poster on a selected African society or historical development. Compare at least two credible sources and explain one connection with your field of study.
Assessment
Submit the timeline or poster, an annotated source list and a short explanation of the evidence. Assessment considers chronology, historical accuracy, source judgement and the clarity of your interpretation.
Learning resources
African History and Pan Africanism 201
Compulsory core module · Level 2
Examine colonial change, resistance and liberation across Africa, with attention to Zimbabwe and South Africa. Compare Pan African movements, organisations and debates, including contributions from women, workers and diaspora communities.
Learning outcomes
- Analyse the effects of colonial rule on land, labour, institutions and social relations.
- Compare liberation movements and Pan African arguments using contextual evidence.
- Explain how different groups shaped independence, solidarity and debates about freedom.
Main topics
- Colonial rule, land, labour, education and forms of resistance
- Nationalism, liberation and the end of colonial rule and apartheid
- Pan African congresses, organisations and contrasting interpretations
- Women, labour movements and diaspora participation
- The Organisation of African Unity and debates about unity, sovereignty and development
Practical task
Develop a comparative case study of a liberation issue or Pan African debate relevant to Southern Africa. Use a historical document alongside a scholarly account and explain differences in purpose and interpretation.
Assessment
Submit the case study, a source comparison and a reflection on your conclusions. Assessment considers context, evidence, recognition of different perspectives and the quality of your argument.
Learning resources
African History and Pan Africanism 301
Compulsory core module · Level 3
Evaluate the legacy of Pan Africanism in continental and regional cooperation, culture and public life. Apply historical inquiry to a heritage, community or professional issue, recognising both achievements and contested interpretations.
Learning outcomes
- Evaluate continuity and change from the Organisation of African Unity to the African Union.
- Assess a contemporary Pan African issue using historical evidence and contrasting views.
- Develop an ethical, well-sourced project connecting African history with your field or community.
Main topics
- The African Union, regional cooperation and Southern African integration
- Agenda 2063, development and debates about continental priorities
- Citizenship, migration, diaspora connections and cultural exchange
- African knowledge, heritage, public history and contested narratives
- Research ethics, source attribution and evaluation of a community or professional project
Practical task
Prepare a sourced heritage or civic-learning project connected with your field or a Southern African community. Explain its historical basis, audience, permission needs and limits. Obtain consent if you conduct interviews.
Assessment
Submit a project brief, an annotated source portfolio, a public-facing learning resource and an evaluation of your interpretation. Assessment considers evidence, ethical practice, historical reasoning and usefulness to the intended audience.
Learning resources
Instructors
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BEngTech in Materials Science and Engineering
Course modified date: 13 October 2026
Study how the structure, processing and properties of metals, polymers, ceramics and composites determine their performance. You will investigate materials with laboratory methods, select them for engineering applications and address failure, durability and environmental impact. Projects draw on Southern African manufacturing, infrastructure and resource contexts.
- Teacher: ImfundoSpace Administrator
- Enrolled students: There are no students enrolled in this course.
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