What is Top-Down Materials Approach

This chapter explores the idea of using the topic of materials as a bridge between three fields of knowledge: materials science, mechanical engineering and product design. It discusses ways in which the teaching of materials to diverse student audiences can be enhanced. For example, how a course is to be taught by materials scientists to product designers where the instructor has a fundamentally different notion of what materials are compared to the students' perception of what materials are and how they can be used in their future profession. A broader vision of what the materials discipline means needs to be acknowledged in order to build a common materials education thread. The chapter presents the visions of three common materials user groups – materials scientists, mechanical engineers, and product designers – and highlights the differences and similarities amongst them in the context of developing further materials knowledge and education.