“My subject is a great culmination [mix] of science, maths and engineering, all subjects which I enjoyed studying at school. Materials science asks the question of 'Why do things behave the way they do?' and this appealed to my inquisitive nature and scientific mind.”
- Nathan Lowe, Materials Science

If you want to find out more about the incredible nature of materials and the man made world, Nathan recommends:

Stuff Matters: The Strange Stories of the Marvellous Materials that Shape Our Man-made World by M. Miodownik

This book reveals the inner workings of the man-made world, the miracles of craft, design and engineering that surround us every day.

The New Science of Strong Materials: Or Why You Don’t Fall Through the Floor by J.E. Gordon

Why isn't wood weaker than it is? Why isn't steel stronger? Why does glass sometimes shatter and sometimes bend like spring? Find the answers to these questions in this accessible book about the nature of materials.

Enjoyed this Big Question? University study offers the opportunity to ask all your big questions, and develop the skills to find the answers. The university subjects covered in this question include…

History

Find out about different political, social and economic structures in past societies, interpret and study historical materials, and investigate new questions about the past. Find out more on their course page.

Material Science

Learn about a wide range of topics including the physics and chemistry of matter, using materials in engineering, and industrial manufacturing processes. Find out more on their course page.

Physics

Study the universe from the smallest to the largest scale and discover why it is the way it is and how it works. Find out more on their course page.