Taster Courses

The School of Engineering and Materials Science is running a series of one-day and two-day taster courses in a range of Engineering and Materials specialisations during Spring and Summer 2012.

On each course you will be given a talk about the subject, be involved with practical exercises and see some exciting demonstrations. Throughout the day you will be interacting with staff and current students so you will have the chance to ask questions and find out everything you need to know about the course.

Students are encouraged to attend more than one in order to experience the full spectrum of activities that can be covered within Engineering and Materials.

Please visit the University of London taster course website to book a place.

Options for Women in Engineering: focus on Aerospace, Mechanical and Medical Engineering

The course is open to female students who have an interest in applied science and engineering. It is suitable for students who are taking, or planning to take, maths and/or physics at A2 level.
On this two day course, female students will be introduced to various different streams of engineering in a female-only student environment.  The course will inform girls about the choices available to them and will therefore help them to make career and educational decisions.
The course will give you the chance to find out more about degrees and careers in Aerospace, Mechanical and Medical Engineering.  The day will give you hands-on experience and the chance to participate in practical experiments and relate some of the school curriculum to solving engineering problems.

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Aerospace Engineering; The sky's the limit

This course is suitable for students who are taking, or planning to take, maths and/or physics at A2 level.  It is open to students who are creative and original in problem-solving.
You will get the chance to learn about what aerospace engineering is, do practical experiments and use design skill with engineering applications. Practical experiments will take place in our extensive aerospace laboratories and will give you the chance to relate some of the school curriculum to solving engineering problems.

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Medical Materials; Discover the materials used and adapted for medical applications

This one-day course is designed for students who have an interest in science and who are studying, or planning to study, at least two of Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Biology at A2 Level.
Medical devices save and enhance millions of lives every year. The Biomaterials Taster Course is your chance to explore, hands-on, how new materials in medicine are helping to solve medical problems. It will introduce you to the diverse and novel properties of materials and how they interact with the human body. You will see demonstrations and take part in practicals.

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Dental Materials; Practical insights into the materials used in the dental industry

This one-day course is designed for students who have an interest in science and who are studying, or planning to study, at least two of Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Biology at A2 Level.
The Dental Materials Taster Course is for students who are interested in finding out how new materials are solving problems in dentistry. It will introduce you to the diverse and novel properties of materials, for example, the latest shape memory materials used to straighten teeth. There will be demonstrations and practicals, including performing a filling procedure!

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Design and Innovation; Ideas for the future

This course is suitable for students taking, or planning to take, maths or physics and a creative subject at A2 level.
Design is a subject that lies between art and science – it involves both creative and logical thinking. A degree in Design and Innovation would equip you with the design skills to be able to innovate successful products.
This taster course will offer students an opportunity to experience design work in the studio. The course will be practically-based and will give you the opportunity to explore your creativity within a technological environment.

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Materials Science; Exploring the world of materials

This one-day course is designed for students who have an interest in science and who are studying, or planning to study, at least two of Maths, Physics, Chemistry or Biology at A2 Level.
As science now enters the nano age, materials science is at the very forefront of the latest technological innovations, from high efficiency solar cells, to lightweight wind turbine blades to the latest mobile phones. Combining a variety of scientific disciplines, materials science offers a fascinating and rewarding degree course in the understanding and control of material properties. This interactive taster course will you a hands-on introduction to the fundamentals of materials science, as well as explaining the career prospects available.

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Mechanical Engineering; The world in motion

This course is open to students with an interest in applied science and mechanical engineering in particular. It is suitable for students who are taking, or planning to take, maths and/or physics at A2 level.
You will get a chance to learn about a mechanical engineering degree and the various career prospects. The day will give you hands-on experience on practical design and helps you relate some of the school curriculum to solving engineering problems.  You will be able to use experimental facilities to demonstrate engineering principles.

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Medical Engineering; The technical alternative to medicine

The course is open to students who have an interest in medicine but are also interested in the technology and design.  It is suitable for students who are taking, or planning to take, maths and/or physics at A2 level.
You will get a chance to learn about medical engineering, why you might want to study it instead of medicine and the exciting career opportunities for medical engineers.  The day will give you hands-on experience, participating in a problem-based-learning exercise and taking part in practical experiments.  Most of all you will find out how engineering can be used to solve medical problems, and develop the future of medicine from implants to diagnostic systems.

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Sustainable Energy Engineering; Addressing the global energy demand

The projected increases in global energy demand have major implications for the environment. The future need for affordable sustainable energy is perhaps the greatest single challenge facing the world in the 21st century.  This taster course is aimed at students who are interested in the role engineers can play in addressing these issues.  It will include practical sessions where possible sustainable energy sources will be rigorously assessed for their technical suitability.  It is aimed at students who are taking, or planning to take, maths and/or physics at A2 level. 

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For more information, please contact Elena di Mascio, Schools Outreach Officer (e.dimascio@qmul.ac.uk)