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Materials Science and Engineering Courses

Materials Science and Engineering Courses

MSE 220. Introduction to Materials and Manufacturing
Prerequisite: Chem 130 or Chem 210. I, II, IIIa (4 credits)
Introduction to materials engineering and materials processing in manufacturing. The engineering properties of metals, polymers, semiconductors, ceramics, and composites are correlated with the internal structure of the materials and the service conditions.

MSE 242. Physics of Materials
Prerequisite: Physics 240 and preceded or accompanied by  Math 216. II (4 credits)
Basic principles of modern physics and quantum mechanics as pertain to solid state physics and the physical behavior of materials on the nanometer scale. Applications to solid state and nano-structured materials will be emphasized including band structure, bonding and magnetic, optical and electronic response.

MSE 250. Principles of Engineering Materials
Prerequisite: Chem 130 or Chem 210. I, II (4 credits)
A student can receive credit for only one: MSE 220 or MSE 250. Introductory course to engineering materials. Properties (mechanical, thermal and electrical) of metals, polymers, ceramics and electronic materials. Correlation of these properties with: (1) their internal structures (atomic, molecular, crystalline, micro- and macro-); (2) service conditions (mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, magnetic, and radiation); and (3) processing.

MSE 280. Materials Science and Engineering Undergraduate Research Opportunity
Prerequisite: Open only to 1st- or 2nd-year undergraduate students with permission of instructor. I, II, IIIa, IIIb, III (1 credit)
The UROP program enables students to work one-on-one or with a small group of students with faculty members conducting research. Students receive 1 credit per 3 hours of work per week. Students participating in the program are required to attend biweekly research peer group meetings, meet monthly with a peer advisor, and keep a research journal.

MSE 330. Thermodynamics of Materials
Prerequisites: Chem 130 or 210, Phys 140/141, Math 215, and MSE 220 or 250. I (4 credits)
The laws of thermodynamics and their consequences. Applications to solid and liquid materials. Mass and energy balances. Gas reactions. Phase diagrams. Ellingham, Pourbaix and stability diagrams. Defects in solids. Interfaces. Statistical thermodynamics. 

MSE 335. Kinetics and Transport in Materials Engineering
Prerequisite: Math 215 and 216 and MSE 220 or 250. II (4 credits)
Application of basic principles of molecular transport and mass, energy, and momentum balance to the solution of heat, diffusion, and fluid flow problems relevant to materials processing. Introduction to radiative heat transfer. Empirical approaches to and dimensional analysis of complex transport problems including convection, turbulence, and non-Newtonian flow.

MSE 350. Principles of Engineering Materials II
Prerequisite: MSE 220 or MSE 250. I (4 credits)
Basic principles and fundamental tools of Materials Science & Engineering; including bonding, structure, microstructure, thermodynamics, and kinetics.

MSE 360. Materials Laboratory I
Prerequisite: accompanied or preceded by MSE 350. I (3 credits)
Laboratory experiences based on principles emphasized in Fundamentals of Materials Science including processing, properties, and structure with a focus on micro structural analysis and structure-property relationships. Continued as MSE 365.

MSE 365. Materials Laboratory II
Prerequisite: MSE 360 and preceded or accompanied by MSE 242. II (3 credits)
Laboratory experiences based on principles emphasized in Physics of Materials and Fundamentals of Materials. Processing, properties, and microstructure with a focus on electronic and magnetic phenomena.

MSE 400. Electronic, Magnetic and Optical Materials for Modern Device Technology
Prerequisites: MSE 242 and either MSE 220 or 250 or equivalents. I (3 credits)
Application of solid-state phenomena in engineering structures such as microelectronic, magnetic and optical devices. Review of quantum mechanical descriptions of crystalline solids. Microelectronic, magnetic and optical properties of devices, fabrication and process methods.

MSE 410 (BiomedE 410). Design and Applications of Biomaterials
Prerequisite: MSE 220 or 250 or permission of instructor. I (4 credits)
Biomaterials and their physiological interactions. Materials used in medicine/ dentistry: metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, resorbable smart, natural materials. Material response/degradation: mechanical breakdown, corrosion, dissolution, leaching, chemical degradation, wear. Host responses: foreign body reactions, inflammation, wound healing, carcinogenicity, immunogenicity, cytotoxicity, infection, local/systemic effects.

MSE 412 (ChemE 412) (MacroSE 412). Polymeric Materials
Prerequisites: MSE 220 or 250 and CHEM 210. I (3 credits)
The synthesis, characterization, microstructure, rheology, and processing of polymeric materials. Polymers in solution and in the liquid, liquid-crystalline, crystalline, and glassy states. Engineering and design properties, including viscoelasticity, yielding, and fracture. Forming and processing methods. Recycling and environmental issues.

MSE 414 (ChemE 414) (MacroSE 414) (Mfg 414). Applied Polymer Processing
Prerequisites: MSE 412 or equivalent. II (3 credits)
Theory and practice of polymer processing. Non-Newtonian flow, extrusion, injection molding, fiber, film, and rubber processing. Kinetics of and structural development during solidification. Physical characterization of microstructure and macroscopic properties. Component manufacturing and recycling issues, compounding and blending.

MSE 420. Mechanical Behavior of Materials
Prerequisite: ME 211, MSE 350. I  (3 credits)
Macroscopic and microscopic aspects of deformation and fracture. Plasticity, general continuum approach. Microscopic hardening mechanisms. Rate and temperature dependent deformation. Deformation and fracture mechanism maps. Fracture mechanics. Fatigue behavior.

MSE 440. Ceramic Materials
Prerequisites: MSE 350. II (3 credits)
Chemistry, structure, processing, microstructure and property relationships and their applications in design and production of ceramic materials.

MSE 465. Structural and Chemical Characterization of Materials
Prerequisites: MSE 220 or 250, MSE 242, and MSE 360. II (3 credits)
Study of the basic structural and chemical characterization techniques that are commonly used in materials science and engineering. X-ray, electron and neutron diffraction, a wide range of spectroscopies, microscopies, and scanning probe methods will be covered.  Lectures will be integrated with a laboratory where the techniques will be demonstrated and/or used by the student to study a material. Techniques will be presented in terms of the underlying physics and chemistry.

MSE 470. Physical Metallurgy
Prerequisite: MSE 350. II (3 credits)
Phase transformations and hardening mechanisms in metallic systems. Nucleation, diffusion-controlled growth, spinodal decomposition and martensitic reactions. Strengthening mechanisms based on two-phase microstructure thermal stability.

MSE 480. Materials and Engineering Design
Prerequisite: Senior Standing. II (3 credits)
Design concepts. Engineering economics. Various design criteria, processes, and process control. Materials substitution. Competitive design. Case histories. Professional and ethical considerations. Written and oral presentations of solutions to design problems.

MSE 485 (Mfg 458). Design Problems in Materials Science and Engineering
Prerequisite: MSE 480. I, II (1-4 credits) (to be arranged)
Design problem supervised by a faculty member. Individual or group work in a particular field of materials of particular interest to the student. The design problem is arranged at the beginning of each term by mutual agreement between the student and a faculty member. Written and oral reports are required.

MSE 489. Materials Processing Design
Prerequisites: MSE 330 and MSE 335. I (3 credits)
The design of production and refining systems for engineering materials. Design of problems for the extraction and refining of metals, production and processing of ceramics, polymeric materials, and electronic materials. Written and oral presentation of solutions to processing design problems.

MSE 490. Research Problems in Materials Science and Engineering
Prerequisite: not open to graduate students. I, II, III, IIIa, IIIb (to be arranged)
Individual or group work in a particular field or on a problem of special interest to the student. The program of work is arranged at the beginning of each term by mutual agreement between the student and a faculty member. Written and oral reports are required. Laboratory and conferences.

MSE 493. Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering
Prerequisite: MSE 350. (to be arranged)
Selected topics of current interest for students entering industry.

MSE 500. Materials Physics and Chemistry
Prerequisite: Senior level or Graduate Standing. II (3 credits)
Physical properties of a wide range of materials, including crystalline and organic materials from the electronic and atomic point of view. The bonding and structure of materials will be placed in context of quantum mechanics and band theory; and the electrical, optical, thermal, mechanical, and magnetic properties will be emphasized.

MSE 501. Structure and Processing of Electrical Materials
Prerequisite: MSE 440 or EECS 314. (2 credits)
The role of chemistry, structure, and processing in determining the properties of electrical materials.

MSE 502. Materials Issues in Electronics
Prerequisites: MSE 242 and MSE 400 or equivalent. II (3 credits)
This course covers the key materials issues, including defects, diffusion, and oxidation relevant to the conversion of a material into an electronic device.

MSE 505. Materials Science of Thin Films
Prerequisites: MSE 242 and MSE 400 or equivalent. I (3 credits)
Thermodynamics and kinetics of film nucleation, growth, structure and stability for a single crystal, polycrystalline, and amorphous thin films.

MSE 510 (CHEM 511). Materials Chemistry
(3 credits)
This course presents concepts in materials chemistry.  The main topics covered include structure and characterization, macroscopic properties, and synthesis and processing.

MSE 511 (ChemE 511) (MacroSE 511). Rheology of Polymeric Materials
Prerequisite: a course in fluid mechanics or permission from instructor. I (3 credits)
An introduction to the relationships between the chemical structure of polymer chains and their rheological behavior. The course will make frequent reference to synthesis, processing, characterization, and use of polymers for high technology applications.

MSE 512 (ChemE 512) (MacroSE 512). Polymer Physics
Prerequisite: Senior or Graduate Standing in engineering or physical science. II (3 credits)
Structure and properties of polymers as related to their composition, annealing and mechanical treatments. Topics include creep, stress relaxation, dynamic mechanical properties, viscoelasticity, transitions, fracture, impact response, dielectric properties, permeation, and morphology.

MSE 514 (MacroSE 514) (Mfg 514). Composite Materials
Prerequisite: MSE 350. I even years (3 credits)
Behavior, processing, and design of composite materials, especially fiber composites. Emphasis is on the chemical and physical processes currently employed and expected to guide the future development of the technology.

MSE 515 (MacroSE 515). Mechanical Behavior of Solid Polymeric Materials
Prerequisite: ME 211, MSE 412. II even years (3 credits)
The mechanical behavior of polymers from linear viscoelastic to yield and fracture are covered. Specific topics include dynamic-mechanical relaxations, creep, yielding, crazing, fatigue, and fracture mechanics. The materials include toughened plastics, polymer alloys and blends, and composite materials. Structured design with plastics is also considered.

MSE 516 (ME 516). Mechanics of Thin Films and Layered Materials
Prerequisite: ME 311 or Graduate Standing. I alternate years (3 credits)
Stresses and deformations in layered materials; energy-release rates and delamination; fracture mechanics of layered materials; spalling; interfacial fracture mechanics; mixed-mode fracture; buckling-driven delamination; cracking of thin films; effects of plasticity on fracture; stress-relaxation mechanisms in multi-layered materials; adhesion and fracture tests.

MSE 520. Advanced Mechanical Behavior
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. II (3 credits)
Advanced studies of deformation and failure in materials. Macroscopic and microscopic aspects of deformation. Elasticity and plasticity theories and problems in deformation processing. Fracture mechanics and composite toughening mechanisms. Mechanisms of creep deformation.

MSE 523 (Mfg 582) (ME 582). Metal-Forming Plasticity
Prerequisite: ME 211. II (3 credits)
Elastic and plastic stress-strain relations; yield criteria and flow rules; analyses of various plastic forming operations. Effects of work hardening and friction, temperature, strain rate, and anisotropy.

MSE 525. Dislocations and Plastic Flow of Materials
Prerequisite: MSE 420 or Graduate Standing in engineering or physical science. II (3 credits)
Fundamentals of dislocation theory. Applications to the understanding of physical and mechanical behavior of materials. Dislocation bases for alloy design.

MSE 526. Micromechanisms of Strengthening and Flow
Prerequisite: MSE 420 or MSE 470. II (3 credits)
Micromechanisms responsible for strengthening and deformation in structural materials. Quantitative analyses of microscopic processes. Theories of work hardening, polycrystalline strengthening, dislocation-precipitate interactions, kinetics of slip and climb processes, diffusion-assisted flow, grain boundary sliding and migration processes, physical basis for constitutive equation.

MSE 532. Advanced Thermodynamics of Materials
Prerequisite: MSE 330 or equivalent. I (3 credits)
Classical and statistical thermochemistry with emphasis on topics important in materials science and engineering, including thermodynamics of solids, solution thermochemistry, heterogeneous equilibria of stable and metastable phases, multicomponent systems, coherent equilibria and strain effects, interfaces and adsorption, polymer alloys and solutions.

MSE 535. Kinetics, Phase Transformations, and Transport
Prerequisite: MSE 330 or equivalent. II (3 credits)
Fundamentals of phase change, diffusion, heat transport, nucleation, and growth applied to solidification, ordering, spinodal decomposition, coarsening, reactions, massive transformations, diffusion-limited transformations and glass transitions.

MSE 542 (Mfg 542). Reactions in Ceramic Processes
Prerequisite: MSE 440 or graduate standing. I, II (3 credits)
Dissociation, sintering, vitrification, devitrification, and thermochemical reactions in ceramic processing.

MSE 543. Structures of Ceramic Compounds
Prerequisite: MSE 440 or graduate standing. (3 credits)
Structures and crystal chemistry of ceramic compounds.

MSE 544. Properties of Ceramic Compounds
Prerequisite: MSE 440 or graduate standing. (3 credits)
Consideration of mechanical, thermal, dielectric, ferroelectric, magnetic, and semiconducting properties of ceramic compounds.

MSE 550. Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering
Prerequisite: senior or graduate standing or permission of instructor. I (3 credits)
An advanced level survey of the fundamental principles underlying the structures, properties, processing, and uses of engineering materials.

MSE 554 (ChemE 554). Computational Methods in MSE and ChemE
Prerequisite: Senior level or Graduate Standing. I (3 credits)
Broad introduction to the methods of numerical problem solving in Materials Science and Chemical Engineering. Topics include numerical techniques, computer algorithms, and the formulation and use of computational approaches for the modeling and analysis of phenomena peculiar to these disciplines.

MSE 556. Molecular Simulation of Materials
Prerequisite: Senior level or graduate standing. I (3 credits)
Practical and theoretical consideration in the simulation of materials on the molecular level. Molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo techniques. Empirical interaction potentials for metals, ceramics, and polymers. Statistical mechanics and thermodynamics of simulated systems.

MSE 557 (ChemE 557). Computational Nanoscience of Soft Matter
Prerequisites: Differential equations course, and a statistical thermodynamics or statistical mechanics course. I (3 credits)
Provides an understanding of strategies, methods, capabilities, and limitations of computer simulation as it pertains to the modeling and simulation of soft materials at the nanoscale. The course consists of lectures and hands-on, interactive simulation labs using research codes and commercial codes. Ab initio, molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo and mesoscale methods.

MSE 558 (ChemE 559) (MacroE 559). Foundations of Nanotechnology
Prerequisites: Senior or graduate standing. I (3 credits)
The focus of this course is on the scientific foundations of nanotechnology. The effects of nanoscale dimensions on optical, electrical, and mechanical properties are explained based on atomistic properties and related to applications in electronics, optics, structural materials and medicine. Projects and discussions include startup technological assessment and societal implications of the nanotechnology revolution.

MSE 559 (ChemE 559) (MacroE 559). Foundations of Nanotechnology II
Prerequisites: Senior or graduate standing. II (3 credits)
This course will cover the synthesis and processing of nano-sized metal, metal oxide, and semiconductor powders. It will also include organic/inorganic and nanobiomaterials. Emphasis will be on particle properties and their use in making nonstructured materials with novel properties..

MSE 560. Structure of Materials
Prerequisite: MSE 550. II (3 credits)
Atomic arrangements in crystalline and noncrystalline materials. Crystallography, kinematic and dynamical theories of diffraction, applications to x-rays, electrons and neutrons. Interpretation of diffraction patterns and intensity distributions, applications to scattering in perfect and imperfect crystals, and amorphous materials. Continuum description of structure emphasizing the tensor analysis of distortions in solids.

MSE 562. Electron Microscopy I
Prerequisite: MSE 460 II (4 credits)
An introduction to electron optics, vacuum techniques, and the operation of electron optical instruments. The theory and applications of transmission and scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis in the study of nonbiological materials.

MSE 574. High-Temperature Materials
Prerequisite: MSE 350. (3 credits)
Principles of behavior of materials at high temperatures. Microstructure-property relationships including phase stability and corrosion resistance to high temperature materials. Fracture and fatigue at elevated temperatures. Damage accumulation behavior and engineering applications of service life techniques.

MSE 577 (Mfg 577). Failure Analysis of Materials
Prerequisite: MSE 350. II (3 credits)
Analysis of failed structures due to tensile overload, creep, fatigue, stress corrosion, wear and abrasion, with extensive use of scanning electron microscope. Identification and role of processing defects in failure.

MSE 583 (BiomedE 583) (ChemE 583). Biocompatibility of Materials
Prerequisite: undergraduate course in biology and/or physiology; undergraduate course in biochemistry, organic chemistry, or molecular biology. II (2 credits)
This course describes the interactions between tissue and materials and the biologic/pathologic processes involved. In addition, specifications which govern biocompatibility testing, various strengths and weaknesses of a number of approaches to testing, and future directions are discussed.

MSE 585. Materials or Metallurgical Design Problem
Prerequisite: MSE 480. I (2 credits)
Engineering design and economic evaluation of a specific process and/or materials application. Original and individual work and excellence of reporting emphasized. Written and oral presentation of design required.

MSE 593. Special Topics in Materials Science & Engineering
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. I, II (1-4 credits)
Special topics of interest to graduate students; and, possibly, undergraduate students.

MSE 621 (NERS 621). Nuclear Waste Forms
Prerequisites: NERS 531 (recommended). I even years (3 credits)
This interdisciplinary course will review the materials science of radioactive waste remediation and disposal strategies. The main focus will be on corrosion mechanisms, radiation effects, and the long-term durability of glasses and crystalline ceramics proposed for the immobilization and disposal of nuclear waste.

MSE 622 (Mfg 622) (NERS 622). Ion Beam Modification and Analysis of Materials
Prerequisite: NERS 421, NERS 521 or MSE 350 or permission of instructor. II alternate years (3 credits)
Ion-solid interactions, ion beam mixing, compositional changes, phase changes, micro-structural changes; alteration of physical and mechanical properties such as corrosion, wear, fatigue, hardness; ion beam analysis techniques such as RBS, NRA, PIXE, ion channeling, ion microprobe; accelerator system design and operation as it relates to implantation and analysis.

MSE 662. Electron Microscopy II
Prerequisite: MSE 562. II (3 credits)
Advanced methods in electron microscopy such as high resolution bright field and dark field imaging, micro and convergent beam diffraction, analysis of thin film specimens, and electron energy loss spectroscopy. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory-discussion session per week.

MSE 690. Research Problems in Materials Science and Engineering
Prerequisite: I, II, III (to be arranged)
Laboratory and conferences. Individual or group work in a particular field or on a problem of special interest to the students. The program of work is arranged at the beginning of each term by mutual agreement between the student and a member of the faculty. Any problem in the field of materials and metallurgy may be selected. The student writes a final report on this project.

MSE 693. Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering
(to be arranged)

MSE 751 (ChemE 751) (Chem 751) (MacroSE 751) (Physics 751). Special Topics in Macromolecular Science
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. (2 credits)
Advanced topics of current interest will be stressed. The specific topics will vary with the instructor.

MSE 890. Colloquium in Materials Science and Engineering 
I, II (1 credit)
Colloquium presentations covering a variety of topics at the forefront of research and development in materials science and engineering, including design, synthesis, fabrication, characterization, and applications of metallic materials, inorganic compounds, electronic materials, organic and polymeric materials. Colloquia are delivered by renowned experts in their respective fields from academia, industry and national laboratories.

MSE 990. Dissertation/Pre-Candidate
I, II, III (2-8 credits); IIIa, IIIb (1-4 credits)
Dissertation work by doctoral student not yet admitted to status as candidate. The defense of the dissertation, that is, the final oral examination, must be held under a full-term candidacy enrollment.

MSE 995. Dissertation/Candidate
Prerequisite: Graduate School authorization for admission as a doctoral candidate I, II, III (8 credits); IIIa, IIIb (4 credits)
Election for dissertation work by a doctoral student who has been admitted to candidate status. The defense of the dissertation, that is, the final oral examination, must be held under a full-term candidacy enrollment.

Last edited on 06/30/2008