The career is based on a technical-scientific training to understand the behavior of the material in service and design materials that meet the needs of society.
Mission
Train competent Materials Engineers, with solid knowledge in basic and applied sciences, focused on the wide spectrum of materials, and also contextualized within the framework of the needs of the state, the productive sector and society, in order to generate solutions to problems related to the development and manufacture of products through entrepreneurship, research and innovation in materials.
International Accreditation
The Materials Engineering program at ESPOL received the EUR-ACE international accreditation from the European Network for the Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE) in October 2023.
* Undergraduate tuition/fees:
The Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador in its Article 356, among other principles, establishes that third-level public higher education will be tuition/fees free. Zero cost education is linked to the academic responsibility of the students.
Number of admitted students per academic year
Number of graduates per year
Number of enrolled students per academic year
Graphs show the figures in real time, at the time of the query
If you like Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, you will be able to apply these principles in the design, development and processing of materials.
We have experimental and simulation laboratories equipped with top-level technology.
- Research and curiosity to explore new fields of knowledge are essential to be a skilled materials engineer.
- Working in multidisciplinary teams is an important aspect in this career.
- You can become a leader who creates and innovates.
Educational Objectives
Within three to five years after graduation, it is expected that Materials Engineers from ESPOL will be able to:
Apply and update knowledge on the characterization and processing of different materials, to optimize their structure, properties and/or performance in different applications, considering economic, social, ethical and environmental aspects.
Conduct laboratory experimentation and implement statistical and computational methods in engineering and scientific research practice, to develop solutions to industry problems with a sustainable approach.
Collaborate and/or lead multidisciplinary and inclusive teams so that, through the transfer of knowledge and presentation of sharing ideas, it is possible to turn engineering solutions into products, services or businesses.
Learning Outcomes
Axes of the Materials career:
- Structure and properties of materials.
- Material processing.
- Material performance.
The learning outcomes of the Materials career are:
1. Ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying the principles of Materials Engineering, science and mathematics.
2. Ability to apply Materials Engineering design to produce solutions that meet specific needs, considering public health, safety and well-being, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors.
3rd Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish with diverse audiences (oral and written form).
3.b. Ability to communicate effectively in English with diverse audiences.
4. Ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, considering the impact of Materials Engineering solutions in the global, economic, environmental and social context.
5. Ability to function effectively in a team, whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, set goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. Ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use Materials Engineering criteria to draw conclusions.
7. Ability to acquire and apply new Materials Engineering knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
8. Design real Materials Engineering solutions that propose unique value in response to specific needs considered from the point of view of those involved
First Year
Description:
It is a core course for Engineering, Natural Sciences, Exact Sciences, and Social Sciences and Humanities, students. Topics, such as, topological notions, limits and continuity of real variable functions, derivatives and their applications, antiderivatives and integration techniques, and the definite integral with its applications, are examined. This course is aimed to the development of student’s skills and know-how in the derivation and integration processes, as a fundamental basis for the following upper level courses in its academic training process
Description:
Physics: Mechanics is a basic, theoretical-practical training course aimed at engineering students, with laboratory experimentation activities, which provides the fundamentals of particle mechanics, rigid bodies and fluid mechanics, in an environment of active learning.
Description:
In this course, students apply the Design Thinking methodology to identify, analyze real-life problems or needs, to design innovative solutions. Students work in multidisciplinary teams to present solution proposals that add value to customers/users from private companies, public organizations and non-profit organizations.
Description:
This basic and general education subject presents grammatical structures to produce a simple paragraph based on a writing program. Additionally, it allows the identification of a specific argument in oral and written communication. It also considers learners’ personal opinions about different topics related to social, academic, and professional aspects. It includes the necessary vocabulary to make comparisons between present and past, books or movies description, creation of simple students’ profile, opinions about inventions, formal apologies and tell past events.
Description:
General Chemistry is a theoretical-practical course aimed at the basic training of professionals in the areas of Engineering and Natural Sciences, which provides a scientific basis of the matter and its interactions, and seeks to develop in students the ability to solve problems related to the content of the subject. It begins with an Introduction to Thermochemistry, then the analysis of the physicochemical properties derived from the state of aggregation of matter: liquids, solids and solutions, the study of the Kinetics and Equilibrium of reactions and solubility.
Description:
Vector calculus is a course aimed at the basic training of professionals in the areas of Engineering, Exact Sciences and Natural Sciences who developed problem-solving and problem-solving skills in the n-dimensional context. For this purpose, the course consists of 5 general themes: three-dimensional analytic geometry and functions of several variables, differential calculus of scalar and vector fields, optimization of scalar functions of several variables, line integrals and multiple integration, surface integrals and theorems of the vector theory; being the main applications of this course: the optimization of functions of several variables applied to practical problems, the calculation of lengths, area, volumes, work and flow, using objects of the plane and space.
Description:
The course presents students with strategies to solve common problems in various professional fields through the design and implementation of solutions based on the use of a programming language. It covers the basic principles so that the student can read and write programs; emphasizing the design and analysis of algorithms. In addition, it introduces students to the use of development and debugging tools.
Description:
This course introduces the fundamentals of technical drawing, with emphasis on the production of mechanical parts and assemblies. In addition, it describes the theory of projections and the representation of objects through auxiliary views, cuts, and sections. It also details the drawing rules regarding scales, lines, lettering, dimensioning, and standard formats. During the development of the course, drawings of machine elements, mechanical assemblies, structures, and distribution of areas in industrial plants are made by hand and in computer-aided design programs.
Description:
This professional course corresponds to an initial level and introduces the necessary foundations for the development of the materials engineering career in terms of properties, processing and behavior of materials in service. Additionally, it integrates the principles of materials science and engineering with the concepts of innovation and design. This integration is carried out through the development of a project that addresses the analysis of a real problem and the proposal of effective solutions based on the fundamentals of materials engineering.
Description:
This basic formation course describes the solution to problems of temperature change, phase change and fluid transport. Fundamental concepts of thermodynamics are used to calculate the energy required to heat or cool solids, liquids and gases, and produce phase changes. Fundamentals of fluid mechanics are used to calculate the necessary power to transport liquids and gases through pipes using turbomachines such as pumps and fans. Also, laboratory practices are used to illustrate concepts of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.
Description:
This subject of basic formation and general education presents the grammatical structures for the production of an academic paragraph, through the development of the writing program in a transversal way. In addition, it allows the identification of specific arguments in oral and written communication, considering the production of one's own criteria on different topics of a social, academic or professional nature. The necessary vocabulary is also applied to refer to the different forms of communication, share work experiences and the use of digitl technology, tell short stories about interpersoanl relationship and personalities, and comment on the future of the environment.
Second Year
Description:
This bachelor-level subject addresses the fundamental principles of thermodynamics applied to problems of materials science and engineering, in an introductory way for the processing, synthesis, design, research, development and improvement of materials, as well as for the prediction of their behavior in different media. In the first part, the subject includes the study and application of the laws of thermodynamics, and the behavior of heat and work in different thermodynamic systems. Then, the properties and conditions of equilibrium applied in systems of materials, mixtures, chemical and electrochemical processes are analyzed to estimate the feasibility of occurrence. Finally, the subject provides knowledge for the understanding of equilibrium diagrams, physicochemical equilibrium, phase transitions, material processing, some concepts of corrosion in metals and the possible degradation of polymers and ceramics.
Description:
In this subject, we study the development of the academic prosumer profile of the students, which should be consolidated throughout each individual's life, based on the processing of complex, holistic, and critical thinking. We aim to foster understanding and the production of academic knowledge through rigorous analysis of realities and readings from various academic/scientific sources.
Description:
This is a training basic course training and provides the knowledge to the engineering and science student can convert data into information, associate everyday situations with statistical processes, and determine scientific conclusions through experimental observations, applying descriptive statistics, notions of probability, models of random variables and inferential analysis.
Description:
This transversal course is aimed at the basic training of students in the engineering area who require mathematical foundations to analyze the differential equations that arise in the process of modeling natural phenomena in the different areas of study. The course combines classical quantitative methods, such as integration of linear and non-linear differential equations and systems of equations and Laplace transforms, with qualitative methods that make use of relevant topics in linear algebra, which in turn are developed in an integrated and effective way.
Description:
This subject of basic instruction and general education presents grammatical topics for the elaboration of an outline and a structured composition, through the development of the writing program in a transversal way. In addition, it allows the identification of arguments in oral and written communication on contemporary and academic topics. Additionally, appropriate vocabulary is applied to discuss issues related to different cultures, places where we live, everyday news, entertainment media, and past and future opportunities.
Description:
In this initial level professional course, the rheology of fluids and complexmaterials is addressed, as well as the energy balance for non-Newtonian fluids applied to transport systems. In addition, several applications in the industry are studied, which include the rheological properties of certain industrial flows, fluid handling equipment and certain computational methods to predict their behavior.
Description:
This intermediate level professional training subject focuses on the technological characterization of engineering materials such as metals and their alloys, traditional and advanced ceramics, polymers and composite materials, with special emphasis on their structures from the nanoscale to the macro scale, allowing the correlation with its mechanical, physical, chemical properties, as well as its functional properties. The course addresses the characterization of the structures of engineering materials, taking into account the measurement uncertainty, as well as the correct interpretation of its result, which allows the correct evaluation, selection and application of these materials in the practice of the engineering. Additionally, the various laboratory techniques for phases analyses by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and differential calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy and dispersed energy analysis, among others of interest in training of professional materials engineer are studied. Finally, this subject allows the development of scientific-practical skills in the laboratory, through the application of the calculation of uncertainty and the validation of analytical methods; as well as the correct interpretation of the limits of a particular laboratory test.
Description:
Phase transformation is a middle level professional course of the Materials program Covers the main principles that fundament the microstructural analysis of engineering materials during processing or service operation, remarking the composition, microstructure and properties relationship. Comprises the diffusion process, solidification, recrystallization and grain growth; includes a description of nucleation and growth principles of liquid/solid and solid/solid transformation, under the basis of thermodynamic and kinetic. The course end with the phase transformation in steel and their heat treatments, considering the Fe-C system.
Description:
This professional training course is designed for engineering careers based on classical mechanics and presents the concepts, definitions, and laws of rigid body mechanics. The statics of particles in a plane and in space, equivalent force systems in rigid bodies, the equilibrium of rigid bodies, distributed forces, centroids, centers of gravity, moments of inertia are studied. In addition, the analysis of structures, forces in beams and cables, and friction are studied.
Description:
This course is part of the basic engineering training to provide skills about addressing problems resulting from partial differential equations and their solving methods. This course covers the Fourier transform, the method of separating variables for solving partial differential equations, numerical methods for solving ordinary differential equations, and partial differential equations.
Description:
This subject of basic formation and general education, presents the grammar structures to produce a persuasive essay, through the transversal development of the writing programme. In addition, it allows students to identify specific arguments in the oral and written communication, as well as, to express their own opinions about different topics of social, academic, or professional fields. It also includes the necessary vocabulary to stablish a conversation, narrate situations of their environment, activities to reach their goals, analyze cause and effect and personal and professional opportunities.
Third Year
Description:
This transversal course addresses the conditions required to innovate and the process associated with developing an innovation from an entrepreneurial point of view. Subsequently, topics such as the identification of opportunities, value creation, and prototyping and validation of products/services proposals are reviewed, as well as the elements of the business model and financial considerations that are essential for the feasibility and adoption of an innovation. Finally, entrepreneurial competences and process associated with the development and adoption of an innovation are studied.
Description:
This intermediate and professional training subject covers fundamental topics related to the elastic-plastic behavior of engineering materials, subjected to static and dynamic loads. Emphasis is placed on the stress-strain relationship and the effect of the structure and microstructure on the mechanical properties. Likewise, the fundamentals of elasticity and plasticity, dislocation theory, hardening mechanisms, the frature mechanics and creep are analyzed. Finally, frequent mechanical failures in materials and a description of the mechanical behavior of composite materials in service are addressed.
Description:
This intermediate-level professional training subject integrates knowledge in applied science and focuses on basic fundamentals of material synthesis. The first part covers the basics of polymers, their architecture, and nomenclature, as well as step-growth polymerization, ring-opening polymerizations, and biopolymers. Afterwards, the subject focuses on the introduction of physical mineral processing techniques, processes in aqueous solutions and at high temperatures, and finally, the electrochemical processes for metal extraction are described.
Description:
This subject is of professional training, intermediate level for engineering careers. Encompass the study of Heat and Mass Transfer fundamentals needed to analyze and resolve heat and mass transfer problems in the unit operations commonly used in the food processing industry. This course proposes the study of conductive (stable and transient), convective (forced and natural), and an introduction to radiative heat transfer, as well as the fundamentals of diffusive and convective mass transfer (stable and transient).
Description:
This advanced-level professional training course establishes the foundations for the selection, processing and design of products based on ceramic materials for engineering applications. First, the subject relates the concepts of ceramic engineering with their structure, properties, processing and the performance of ceramic materials in service. Likewise, the production technology of a ceramic product is analyzed, starting from its conception, processing of raw materials and final disposal. In addition, applied principles of materials physics and chemistry are examined for the rationale of using each specific processing technology. Finally, classifications and descriptions of the different types of ceramic materials are presented, including aspects of nanomaterials and other advanced ceramics.
Description:
This advanced-level professional training course addresses the traditional manufacturing in which metals are developed. The first part focuses on the analysis of the transformation processes, from raw material from its extraction in the form of ore through the extractive metallurgy and value chain, to obtain the finished product. In addition, the different manufacturing processes of the raw material are exposed, whether in a liquid state as the smelting of metals, in a solid state as the forming processes, or a granular state as the powder metallurgical processes. Finally,the manufacturing processes that give added value to the manufactured product are studied, through finishing techniques on the metal, taking into consideration various types of metallic coatings and surface treatments, focusing on their useful life and durability, or the decorative type, while the manufactured product is in service.
Description:
This advanced-level course presents the fundamentals of processing and designing productsbased on polymeric materials. The first part studies the introduction to polymers and theirrelationship with their most common manufacturing processes: extrusion, injection molding,rotational molding, thermoforming and blow molding. Then, it integrates the design processto the selection of these materials and the design variables for manufacturing, rigidity,resistance and recyclability, this consideration encompassing the processing from rawmaterial to finished product. Finally, emphasis is placed on the fundamental parameters thatmust be controlled to manufacture polymeric materials.
Description:
This transversal training course for all students of the institution has five chapters. It introduces the key principles of sustainability and the path to sustainable development. Addresses ecological principles by deepen into biodiversity, ecosystems, human population and ecosystem services. Study the fundamentals of renewable and non-renewable resources as well as the alternatives for sustainable use. Analyzes environmental quality specifically in the air, water and soil components, delving into issues such as climate change, eutrophication and deforestation. Finally, it emphasizes on the economic axis with topics such as circular economy and on the social axis on topics such as governance and urban planning.
Description:
This intermediate level course studies the concepts and tools of operations management. The course deals the formulation and resolution of linear programming problems applied to decision making in production environments. In addition, inventory models, production planning and control, and just-in-time production systems (JIT) and theory of restrictions (TOC) are analyzed.
Fourth Year
Description:
This advanced-level professional training course focuses on the application of principles of thermodynamics and kinetics of electrochemical reactions associated with the mechanisms that explain corrosion phenomena in materials. The main corrosion mechanisms in metallic materials and the different degradation processes in non-metals are analyzed. About metals, the types of corrosion of chemical and electrochemical nature are studied, such as uniform corrosion, galvanic, stress corrosion, fatigue, pitting, and other forms of localized corrosion, and about non-metals, the aspects related to the degradation of polymers and ceramics due to atmospheric exposure, chemical incompatibility or incident radiation energy are studied. In addition, the methods of control and prevention of corrosion are addressed, including the correct selection of alloys, environmental control through the use of corrosion inhibitors, as well as the application of anodic, cathodic, and coating protection systems.
Description:
This advanced level course introduces the design of traditional and advanced composite materials and their industrial applications. The first part focuses on the different formulations currently used in the development of composite materials. In addition, composite materials with a metallic, polymeric and ceramic matrix are evaluated. The characteristics, properties, applications and design of composite materials for its application are conceptualized. Finally, current and future trends in composite materials are analyzed, such as self-repairing, nanocomposites, biocomposites and pre-impregnated, among others.
Description:
This professional level course includes the joining processes for metallic, ceramics, polymers and composites materials. It covers the different welding methods and their evaluation, using destructive and non-destructive analysis techniques. It addresses the heat flow effects in the generation of thermal stresses, residual stresses, distortion and the relationship between them regarding with the welded joints quality. Additionally, the principles of fracture mechanics and fatigue are reviewed to estimate the performance of the joints in service. The last part of the course includes quality control methods and the costs related to fusion welding.
Description:
This advanced-level professional training course includes a description of the electrical, magnetic, optical and thermal properties of engineering materials, for traditional and high-tech applications. The concepts of band energy and the free-electron model are introduced, and the responses of a material to electric, magnetic, electromagnetic and thermal fields are analyzed, and the scientific foundations that support these behaviors.
Description:
This advanced level vocational course examines the various types of nanostructures and nanostructured materials, which constitute a multidisciplinary field of study essential for materials science and engineering. Nanostructures manufacturing processes obtained mainly by the “Bottom-up” approach are addressed. In addition, the interrelation between the composition, structure, properties and performance of this new type of materials is studied, highlighting its properties in comparison with traditional materials. Finally, the tools for characterizing the mechanical, optical, conductive and magnetic properties of these nanostructured materials are evaluated.
Description:
This advanced and professional training subject integrates the materials selection criteria, through the methodology developed by Michael F. Ashby, with the corresponding fracture mechanics, in order to uncover the possible causes of failure in mechanical components, structures and machinery in service. Firstly, the application of the fracture mechanics concepts and the mechanical behavior is analyzed together, based on the most common failure modes in materials: fatigue, wear, corrosion, creep, among others. Additionally, the application of destructive and non-destructive tests for the identification of defects and discontinuities is analyzed, as well as metallographic and fractography assessment techniques, as a critical aid for the evaluation of the particular failure investigated. Finally, the materials substitution process is examined, mainly in structural and mechanical applications, ensuring compliance with functional requirements, safety, cost and environmental factors.
Description:
In this final course, the student carries out a project that shows the application of the profiles of materials engineers, developing processes of creativity, organization and relevance that involve them in a professional design experience. In the first part of the course, the needs of the client/user/public are identified, the problem/opportunity is defined, data is collected and critical factors are analyzed. Afterwards, alternative solutions are created according to the regulations and restrictions of each user. Finally, it concludes with the design and/or implementation of the feasible solution or prototyping and analysis and validation of results.
Additional
ARTS, SPORTS AND LANGUAGES ELECTIVE COURSES
1 credits - 1.9 ECTS
HUMANITIES ELECTIVE COURSES
1 credits - 1.9 ECTS
SELECTED ELECTIVE COURSE
3 credits - 5.8 ECTS
SELECTED ELECTIVE COURSE
3 credits - 5.8 ECTS
After 4 years of the program, you will be able to:
Contribute to the manufacturing and processing of existing materials or the development of metallic, plastic, ceramic, construction materials, nanomaterials, etc. more sustainable and with better properties
Characterize, test and select materials for use in engineering applications.
Design sustainable materials, analyzing their life cycle from conception to final disposal and/or recycling, contributing to circular economy.
Control the quality of welding processes and analyze the performance of materials in service
Evaluate the reasons that may have caused the failure of an object, from the perspective of material properties, and prevent future damage.
Occupational Profile
The materials engineer is trained to:
- Control material production processes.
- Improve the processing of materials and products.
- Select materials for various uses.
- Start new projects and businesses in materials.
- Diagnose the causes of failure of a product in use and generate preventive and corrective solutions.
- Create new products with outstanding or improved properties.
- Recycle waste materials and products.
- Carry out research and development activities.
To obtain the title of Materials Engineer, you must fulfill the following requirements:
Have approved all the subjects of the curriculum.
Have completed 240 hours of pre-professional practices and/or internships.
Have completed 96 hours of links with society.
Have successfully completed the capstione project.
Have no outstanding debts with ESPOL.
The Capstone Project is a culminating requirement for graduation. These projects provide students with the experience of applying acquired knowledge and skills to the needs of society, with a focus on sustainability.
The IDEAR Fair showcases all Capstone projects, offering students a valuable opportunity to showcase their work and hone soft skills such as communication and teamwork. It is also a space for students to network with potential clients and future employers.
Explore all of the Capstone projects completed by the Materials program.
DID YOU KNOW?
Materials Engineers are drivers of innovation, creating solutions to urgent problems. Dare to transform the everyday into extraordinary solutions!... Design, process, use and recycle traditional and advanced materials for a more sustainable future."
