Module Description
Module Title: Physical and Extractive Metallurgy
Module Code: AP80762
Level: Year four Applied Physics
Credits: 10 Credits
Prerequisites:
Students are expected to have a foundational knowledge of:
- Mathematics: Calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra.
- Physics: Classical mechanics, thermodynamics, Solid State Physics and electricity.
- Chemistry: Chemical bonding, stoichiometry, and basic electrochemistry.
- Materials Science: Introduction to Materials Science
Overview
This module offers a holistic, forward-looking exploration of metallurgical engineering, seamlessly bridging the classical principles of physical and extractive metallurgy with the transformative power of computational tools and the urgent imperatives of sustainability. Students will develop a rigorous, quantitative understanding of the thermodynamic and kinetic foundations that govern phase stability, phase transformations, mechanical behaviour, and corrosion in metallic systems. The curriculum traces the entire life cycle of metals, from ore formation and mineral processing through pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, and electrometallurgical extraction routes, while critically evaluating energy efficiency, heat recovery, and deep-decarbonization pathways.
A defining feature of this module is the cultivation of the "Digital Metallurgist" mindset. Students will gain hands-on proficiency in industry-standard software (Thermo-Calc, FactSage) for CALPHAD-based thermodynamic calculations and process simulation, alongside developing robust Python programming skills for data analysis, heat/mass balance automation, and machine learning-driven property prediction. The module also engages critically with emerging generative AI, teaching students to responsibly deploy large language models (LLMs) for literature review and hypothesis generation while upholding the highest standards of academic integrity.
Uniquely contextualised within the African continent, the module dedicates focused attention to the Rwandan mining sector, analyzing the value chains of tin, tungsten, tantalum, coltan, and gold, and the broader Central and East African metallurgical landscape. Through case studies, students will evaluate regulatory frameworks, assess alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Rwanda’s Vision 2050, and propose sustainable, context-appropriate solutions to the region's most pressing mining and processing challenges.
By the end of this module, students will emerge not merely as metallurgists, but as computationally fluent, sustainability-conscious engineers equipped to drive innovation, responsible resource stewardship, and industrial transformation in Africa and beyond.
Delivery and Assessment:
The module is delivered through a balanced blend of interactive lectures, hands-on computer laboratories, physical testing sessions, and collaborative case-study workshops. Student achievement is assessed through a diversified strategy comprising a laboratory portfolio, a computational project, a contextual case study report, and a final written examination.
Lecturer: Dr Innocent Nkurikiyimfura
Email: innkinno@gmail.com