MECH5311: Semester 1, 2026

Units MECH5311 Semester 1 2026 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

MECH5311: Microscopy and Microanalysis of Materials

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This UoS offers the fundamental knowledge that is essential for the microscopy and microanalysis of materials. The UoS will cover the basic fundamental concepts of materials structures and modern materials characterisation techniques that are available in Sydney Microscopy and Microanalysis in the University, including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atom probe tomography.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	AMME1362 or AMME2302 or AMME9302 or CIVL1110 or CIVL2110
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	MECH6311
Assumed knowledge ?	AMME1362 or AMME2302 or AMME9302 or CIVL1110 or CIVL2110 or equivalent study at another institution
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Xiaozhou Liao, xiaozhou.liao@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Case studies	Assignment 2 Students will works on questions related to TEM and application of microscopy techniques	18%	Formal exam period Due date: 09 Jun 2026 at 23:59	4 – 5 A4 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Tutorial quiz 1 30-minute tutorial quiz on the structures and defects of materials	6%	Week 03 Due date: 13 Mar 2026 at 16:00 Closing date: 13 Mar 2026	30 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Tutorial quiz 2 30-minute tutorial quiz on reciprocal space.	6%	Week 04 Due date: 20 Mar 2026 at 16:00 Closing date: 20 Mar 2026	30 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Tutorial quiz 3 50-minute quiz on reciprocal space, and X-ray and electron diffraction.	13%	Week 10 Due date: 08 May 2026 at 16:00 Closing date: 08 May 2026	50 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Assignment 1 Students will works on questions related to Sample preparation, SEM, and EBSD/TKD.	12%	Week 10 Due date: 08 May 2026 at 23:59	4 – 5 A4 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Lab report Students will attend an SEM lab class and submit an individual lab report.	15%	Week 11 Due date: 15 May 2026 at 23:59	5 – 6 A4 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Presentation Group presentations on materials characterisation using advanced microscopy	15%	Week 11 Due date: 15 May 2026 at 09:00	20 min presentation + 5 min Q&A	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	presentation written report Essay. A group written report based on students' oral presentation.	15%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2026 at 23:59	~3,000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Three tutorial quizzes, two assignments, one lab report, and one group seminar presentation, and one seminar written report.

Assessment criteria

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59 pm on the due date: • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	SEM lab class	Practical (2 hr)
Multiple weeks	Tutorial classes	Tutorial (18 hr)
Ongoing	Independent study	Self-directed learning (110 hr)
Week 01	Brief review of structures and defects in crystalline materials	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Reciprocal space	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	X-ray diffraction and electron–matter interactions	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	Scanning electron microscopy -- the Instrument, back-scattered imaging, secondary electron imaging	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	Sample preparation for APT, SEM & TEM	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	Scanning electron microscopy -- Electron backscattered diffraction; Transmission electron microscopy -- the Instrument	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 08	Transmission electron microscopy -- Diffraction, imaging	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 09	Transmission electron microscopy -- imaging	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 10	Spectroscopy and in-situ microscopy	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 11	Seminar presentation	Seminar (5 hr)
Week 12	Atom probe tomography	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 13	In-situ microscopy and lab tour	Lecture (3 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction, 10th edition, William D. Callister, Jr. and David G. Rethwisch, Wiley, ISBN 9781119405498
Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis, 3rd edition, Joseph Goldstein, et al., Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, ISBN 978-1-4615-0215-9 (eBook)
Transmission Electron Microscopy, C. Barry Carter and David B. Williams, Spring, ISBN 978-3-319-26651-0 (eBook)
Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy, Stephen J. Pennycook and Peter D. Nellist, Spring, ISBN 978-1-4419-7200-2 (eBook)
Atom Probe Microscopy, Baptiste Gault, Michael P. Moody, Julie M. Cairney, and Simon P. Ringer, Spring, ISBN 978-1-4614-3436-8 (eBook)

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. communicate effectively the microstructures, crystalline structures and crystalline defects of materials in oral and/or written presentations
LO2. describe, in relatively simple terms, crystalline lattice structures in reciprocal space, describing theoretically, schematically, and mathematically
LO3. communicate effectively several common microstructural characterisation techniques in oral and/or written presentations
LO4. describe, in relatively simple terms, the interactions of fast electrons with matter, describing theoretically, schematically, and mathematically
LO5. identify crystalline phases using X-ray diffraction and determine crystalline lattice structures using electron diffraction
LO6. understand common materials preparation techniques for structural characterisation
LO7. understand the basic working mechanism of the scanning electron microscope and microstructural information that can be extracted from electron backscattered images and secondary electron images
LO8. understand the basic working mechanism of electron backscatter diffraction and its applications in structural characterisation of materials
LO9. understand the basic working mechanisms of the transmission electron microscope, including electron diffraction, imaging and spectrometry, and their applications in materials characterisation
LO10. understand the principle, limitations, and niche applications of atom probe tomography and secondary ion mass spectroscopy for microanalysis of materials

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The teaching content and assessment tasks remain the same as in 2025. However, we have changed the type of the three tutorial quizzes to "secure" and AI is not allowed for the three quizzes. The total weight of the three quizzes increases from 20% to 25% and the weight of lab report reduces from 20% to 15%.

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

We will arrange a lab tour to the Australian Center for Microscopy and Microanalysis in Madsen Building and Sydney Nanoscience Hub in week 13.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links