CH3715 Introduction to Analysis of Materials

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

10

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Monday & Tuesday; 14:00-15:00 (lectures)

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr R T Baker

Dr R T Baker
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr R T Baker

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The objective of this module is to introduce the principles of the most popular materials analysis methods using X-ray, ion beams, electrons and diffraction methods. The module will cover analytical principles of scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) together with secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) and X-ray Diffraction methods (XRD). Diffraction techniques will also be covered with the introductory aspects of Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) together with vibrational spectroscopic techniques.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS CH2701 AND PASS AT LEAST 1 MODULE FROM {CH2501, CH2601, CH2603}

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 100%

Re-assessment

Oral Re-assessment = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 x 1 hr lectures per week; 2 - 3 tutorials over the semester

Scheduled learning hours

18

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

82

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Gain knowledge and understanding of the working principles, practical operation and application of a wide range of materials characterisation methods
  • Understand the types of information obtainable by these methods and appreciate their limitations
  • Understand the benefits of using several techniques together in order to obtain a fuller understanding of the structure and composition of any specific sample