Metallurgical Engineering

Metallurgical engineering is the study of metals and how they can be safely transformed into products that aid humanity such as computer chips, surgical implants, materials for space exploration, cars, and more. In the material sciences and engineering field known as metallurgy, researchers examine the physical and chemical properties of metallic elements, their intermetallic ingredients, and the amalgams of these elements referred to as alloys. After finishing the 10th and 12th grades and graduating with a minimum 50% aggregate in Physics and Mathematics, students may enroll in the Metallurgy Engineering course.

Admission to Engineering Metallurgy courses can be made based on the applicant’s merit rank and entrance exam scores. Entrance exams for these courses are WBJEE, AP EAMCET, JEE Main, TS EAMCET, and more. Further, candidates can pursue Metallurgical Engineering courses in offline and online learning modes. The average course fee in India is up to INR 8 LPA, depending on the course type and course level (diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate). Some popular Metallurgy Engineering colleges are IIT Hyderabad, IIT Roorkee, NIT Trichy, Jadavpur University, and more. After completing the course, students can attain positions such as Operation Analysts, Logisticians, Production Engineers, Quality Engineers, etc. with an average salary of between INR 4 LPA and INR 9 LPA.

Quick Facts About Metallurgical Engineering

• Did you know that Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi, India was the first university to start teaching Metallurgy back in 1925?
• Metallurgy is a technical discipline that deals with the study of metals, alloys, and materials. It focuses on teaching students about the manufacturing and processing of metals. 
• The two broad categories under Metallurgy Engineering i.e. Chemical Metallurgy and Physical Metallurgy.

As discussed, engineering that deals with metals is called metallurgical engineering. It includes materials made from mixtures of metals, such as metal alloys and the extraction and refining of metals from the earth. The following highlights table provides quick information about the  Metallurgy Engineering course:

The technological field of metallurgical engineering focuses on the production along with utilization of particular metals. Since Metallurgy Engineering has great potential for professional earnings, pursuing this field can be beneficial. Metallurgist engineers have employment choices in this industry due to increasing trends in fossil fuel use and industrial metal usage. A wide range of topics are covered under the broad discipline of Metallurgy, including physical, extractive, welding, corrosion, mechanical metallurgy, and more. Prospective students can put their abilities to use in a variety of fields, including energy, mining, manufacturing, aerospace, construction, and the armed forces. Applicant's preparation for the extraction, refining, and production of metal products is greatly aided by Engineering Metallurgy.

India is rapidly modernizing, and its government is advancing this goal with creative initiatives like "Made in India" and several more. This kind of drive has made India a manufacturing hotspot in the globe that needs a lot of Metallurgist engineers. The rising demand for metallic machinery and the raw resources it requires will lead to increased funding for India's Metallurgy engineering industry.

Metallurgical engineering is a broad profession with a wide range of career opportunities. Graduates of this program can anticipate a rewarding future in the manufacturing industry, in businesses that produce equipment, or in the field of research and development. This career covers not only the research and development aspects but also the design and production of functional metal products. They have two options: they may find employment in the private sector or go to graduate school for a related field of study. They can function as metallurgists, engineers for quality planners, plant equipment, suppliers, and so forth.

An online metallurgical engineering degree is a program that can be taken online to learn about how to work with metals and make them into materials with specific properties. Metallurgical engineering is a type of science and engineering that focuses on metals and alloys and how they can be used to create new things. Online metallurgical engineering programs usually have a mix of classes that you take online, virtual labs, and sometimes in-person experiences, depending on the program. Some of the topics discussed in the online metallurgical engineering courses have been discussed below.

• Material Science - Understand the properties of metals and how they behave
• Extractive Metallurgy - Learn about how metals are taken from rocks and earth
• Physical Metallurgy - Learn about the physical and mechanical properties of metals and alloys
• Thermodynamics and Kinetics - Study how materials behave under different conditions
• Corrosion and Degradation - Learn about how metals break down over time and how to prevent it
• Metallurgical Processes - Learn how metals are made into products
• Quality Control and Testing - Learn how to make sure metals are good quality
• Environmental Impact - Learn about how metallurgical processes can affect the environment and how to make them more sustainable.

Some of the top metallurgical engineering online courses have been listed in the following table.

The basic differences between metallurgical engineering and mechanical engineering have been listed below.

One of the most prognosticated engineering programmes after 12th grade is the one in Metallurgical Engineering. These courses are provided at different academic levels and are offered to prospective students in all three modes of learning: full-time, part-time and online/distance schooling. Metallurgy Engineering types are discussed below:

Full-Time Metallurgical Engineering Courses

Students must attend full-time in-person classes, complete regular assignments, and take semester-by-semester offline exams on campus. They must also present projects and perform practicals as part of the course curriculum. Further, they gain practical experience in the subject as well as in-depth learning through actively engaging with their instructors and other students.

Part-Time Metallurgy Engineering Courses

For students who cannot commit to the full-time programme or who are working in their professions full-time, there is a part-time Metallurgical Engineering course available. The part-time programme lasts nearly three years.

Distance/Online Metallurgical Engineering Courses

Similar to the part-time course, distance/online Metallurgy Engineering courses also last three years and can be pursued from anywhere and anytime (if allowed). This course is designed for students or researchers who are working professionals and who cannot attend full-time or even part-time courses. Colleges like IIMT University Meerut, PMIST Thanjavur, SIT Darjeeling, UEC Ujjain, GCT Coimbatore, etc. provide this course.

Students must meet the necessary eligibility requirements to be admitted to the course of Metallurgical Engineering. For diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programmes, there are respective prerequisites for admission that students must fulfil. The following are the eligibility requirements for different levels of programmes in metallurgical engineering:

Diploma Courses:

• Students must have passed 10th grade with Science and Maths as compulsory subjects or any equivalent examinations from a recognised Indian institution or board.

Undergraduate Courses:

• Applicants shall be eligible to take the admission test held by any college or university, whether it is conducted at a state or national level.
• Candidates must have completed 12th grade or an equivalent level exam with an average of 50% aggregate; overall Maths and Physics are required as mandatory subjects.

Postgraduate Courses:

• The prospective student must have received an aggregate score of 60% overall in their undergraduate degree.
• Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in the relevant discipline and a valid score on the GATE exam or another exam that the respective college will consider acceptable.

Required Skill Set for Metallurgical Engineering

To lessen the negative effects on the metals and improve operational effectiveness, innovative technologies and procedures can be incorporated. The following are some skills that will help you be the best Metallurgist engineer to deal with situations such as metal failure:

• Drive and enthusiasm
• Good health and fitness
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills
• IT skills
• Numerical and analytical skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Time management 
• Organisation skills
• Communication skills
• Team working skills
• The ability to work under pressure

The top universities in India offer B Tech in Metallurgical Engineering programmes, and seats are available through central and state-level assessments. You need to cover courses like Chemistry, Physics, and Maths up to the 10+2 grade thoroughly to be ready to take these tests. The only requirement for these tests is the completion of 10+2 with decent grades. Further, the cutoff scores for each exam vary each year based on the highest percentile achieved by the topper. At both the state and national levels, a few metallurgical engineering entrance exams are listed below:

AP EAMCET: The Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Kakinada administers the Engineering, Agriculture, and Medical Common Entrance Test (AP EAMCET). This test's difficulty level ranges from moderate to high and is conducted in online mode.

BITSAT: This test is administered by the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani. It is an easy to moderately difficult computer-based assessment.

JEE Advanced: It is jointly organised by the seven zonal IITs of Kanpur, Bombay, Roorkee, Guwahati, Madras, Kharagpur, and Delhi. This test's level of difficulty ranges from moderate to high.

JEE Mains: The national-level engineering entry exam is known as Mains. The exam's level of difficulty ranges from moderate to high. This test's administration is being handled by the National Testing Agency. Twice a year, a computer-based exam is held for it.

KIITEE: The KIIT Entrance Examination is administered by KIIT, Bhubaneswar. It is a computer-based admission exam that is moderately difficult.

MET: The Manipal Entrance Test (MET) is a university-level examination that is administered by the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). It has a moderate degree of difficulty.

MHT CET: The Maharashtra government's Directorate of Technical Education administers the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET) each year for admission to various academic disciplines including engineering.

SRMJEEE: The SRM Institute of Science and Technology administers the SRMJEEE test whose difficulty level ranges between easy and moderate. It is a three-times-per-year computer-based online exam.

VITEEE: This test is being administered by the Vellore Institute of Technology. This university-level assessment is simple to moderate. It is conducted yearly and is computer-based.

WBJEE: This test is administered by the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board (WBJEEB). It is a simple to moderately difficult computer-based online test.

Metallurgical engineering specialization can be achieved through an MTech or Ph.D. degree from any university that is recognized for its expertise in the field. The following table lists the Metallurgy Engineering topics covered for different specialisations:

Students can get admission to Metallurgy Engineering courses in two ways: online form submission and offline in-person admittance. Students who wish to apply for admission online must first visit the official website of their chosen university to determine whether they match the requirements for admission. After that, users must input their login information and upload scanned versions of the required documents. On the other hand, a student who wishes to apply for admission offline must visit the campus, complete the application form, and attach copies of any required paperwork.

Direct admission to metallurgical engineering covers merit-based admission. Candidates who wish to be admitted to metallurgical engineering can refer to the following for a consolidated idea about the Metallurgical Engineering Admission Process - 

Firstly, you should check if you meet the minimum requirements for the program, such as completing high school or having certain grades in certain subjects. Once you are sure that you are eligible, you can start the application process. You can obtain the application form from the institution's website and fill it out with accurate and necessary information. Don't forget to submit the required supporting documents along with the application form, such as academic transcripts, certificates, and proof of identity. 

After submitting your application, the institution will review it to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria. They may also check your academic performance and consider other factors that they may have set as criteria. Sometimes, they may even conduct an interview or counseling session to assess your suitability for the program. If there is no entrance exam, admission may be based on merit, which means that they will consider your previous academic performance. If you get accepted into the program, you will need to pay the admission fees within a specified timeframe to secure your spot.

You must be passionate about mastering the chemical principles underlying the manufacturing of metals if you want to succeed as a metallurgy student. If you are intrigued by this, doing a metallurgy course abroad can be the best option for you. As these disciplines are essential to completing the degree, it is also imperative for candidates studying metallurgy engineering abroad to be interested in subjects such as Physics, Mathematics, and chemistry.

As a student, you will be asked to complete research within non-contact sessions in addition to attending lectures and hands-on instruction. The module alternatives offered at each university and the professors' skill sets should be taken into account most carefully when choosing the best country to study Metallurgical Engineering abroad. While many basic degree electives are interchangeable throughout courses, some foreign colleges also offer a variety of additional modules. If you already know the field of study you want to specialise in, it is worthwhile to find out if the institution of your choosing provides you with subject options that will help your post-graduate profession.

After passing their class 12th or a comparable test in the Science stream, those with a passion for metals can choose to pursue a B Tech in metallurgical engineering degree that lasts four years. Given that it uses a semester-by-semester examination format, it has eight semesters. For undergraduate students, there are roughly 6 to 10 core metallurgy-related disciplines taught, and the remaining subjects are related to mechanical engineering. Further, students have the option of choosing a job or continuing their education by enrolling in an MTech degree. The following are the Metallurgical Engineering syllabus & subjects:

• Engineering Mathematics
• Extractive Metallurgy
• Manufacturing Process
• Mechanical Metallurgy
• Physical Metallurgy
• Thermodynamics and Rate Processes

Candidates can take a look at the private metallurgical engineering offering admission through entrance exams listed below.

Candidates can take a look at the government metallurgical engineering offering admission through entrance exams listed below.

1. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay
2. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur
3. National Institute of Technology (NIT), Warangal
4. Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad
5. Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani
6. Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore
7. Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal
8. SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai
9. Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala

Metals and their alloys are examined by metallurgical engineers to ascertain both their physical and chemical properties. For particular uses like lightweight yet robust metals for aviation parts, vehicles or sensitive metals for electronics, they produce innovative alloys. Mentioned below are a few career options and job prospects after Metallurgical Engineering:

• Conducting material analysis
• Designing alloy
• Developing extraction methods
• Supporting quality control

What is Metallurgical Engineering Salary?

In India, the average salary of a Metallurgist Engineer ranges between INR 4 LPA and INR 9 LPA. It may vary depending on the type of recruiting company, level of education, professional experience, location, and more. The following table outlines some popular job profiles in the field of Metallurgy Engineering along with their job description and estimated average annual approximate salary:

Top Recruiting Companies That Hire Metallurgy Engineers

The iron and steel, oil, non-ferrous, and research industries are just a few of the major employers of Metallurgist engineers. The following are the employers looking for graduates in the field of metallurgical engineering:

• Visakhapatnam Steel Plant
• Visakhapatnam Jindal Steel Works (JSW), Bellary
• TISCO, Jamshedpur
• Sterlite group
• Hindustan Zinc Ltd.
• Hindustan Copper Ltd.
• Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd. (HAL), Bangalore
• Essar Steels
• Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL)
• Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), Mumbai