Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)

Program Director: Professor Mark Aindow
Department Office: Room 111, Institute of Materials Science Building

For major requirements, see the School of Engineering section of this Catalog.

2001. Introduction to Structure, Properties, and Processing of Materials I

(243) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: CHEM 1127Q or 1147Q. Not open to students who have passed MSE 2101.

Bonding in materials, the crystal structure of metals and ceramics, and defects in materials will be introduced. Basic principles of phase diagrams and phase transformations will be given with particular emphasis on microstructural evolution and the effect of microstructure on the mechanical properties of metals and alloys. Introductory level knowledge of mechanical properties, testing methods, strengthening mechanisms, and fracture mechanics will be provided.

2002. Introduction to Structure, Properties, and Processing of Materials II

(244) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: MSE 2001 or 2101.

Structures, properties, and processing of ceramics; structure, properties and processing of polymers and composites; electrical, thermal, magnetic and optical properties of solids; and corrosion.

2053. Materials Characterization and Processing Laboratory

(284) Second semester. One credit. Prerequisite: MSE 2002, which may be taken concurrently. One 3-hour laboratory period.

Principles of materials properties, processing and microstructure will be illustrated by experiments with qualitative and quantitative microscopy, mechanical testing, thermal processing, plastic deformation and corrosion. Materials design and selection criteria will be introduced by studying case histories from industry and reverse engineering analyses.

2101. Materials Science and Engineering I

(201) Both semesters. Three credits. Prerequisite: CHEM 1127Q or 1147Q. Not open to students who have passed MSE 2001.

Relation of crystalline structure to chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of metals and alloys. Testing, heat treating, and engineering applications of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys.

3001. Applied Thermodynamics of Materials

(256) First semester. Four credits. Prerequisite: MSE 2001 or 2101.

Thermodynamic principles will be applied to the behavior and processing of materials. Topics covered will include thermodynamic properties, solution thermodynamics, phase equilibria, phase diagram prediction, gas-solid reactions and electrochemistry.

3002. Transport Phenomena in Materials Processing

(255) Second semester. Four credits. Prerequisite: MSE 3003 and MATH 2110Q, both of which may be taken concurrently.

Mechanisms and quantitative treatment of mass, energy, and momentum transfer will be applied to design and analysis of materials processing. Increasingly complex and open-ended engineering design projects will be used to illustrate principles of diffusion; heat conduction, convection, and radiation, and fluid flow.

3003. Phase Transformation and Kinetics and Applications

(265) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: MSE 2001 or 2101.

Principles and applications of phase transformations to control microstructure and materials properties. In depth, quantitative coverage will include vacancies, solid solutions, phase diagrams, diffusion, solidification of metals, nucleation and growth kinetics, and thermal treatments to control microstructure.

3004. Mechanical Behavior of Materials

(266) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: MSE 2001 or 2101.

Elements of elastic plastic deformation of materials and the role of crystal structure. Strengthening and toughening mechanisms. Fracture; including fatigue, stress corrosion and creep rupture. Test methods.

3020. Failure Analysis

(207) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: MSE 2001 or 2101.

Methods for determining the nature and cause of materials failure in structures and other mechanical devices. Analysis of case histories.

3029. Physical Ceramics

(229) Semester and hours by arrangement. Three credits. Prerequisite: MSE 2002 and PHYS 1502. Kattamis

Microstructure of crystalline ceramics and glasses and role of thermodynamics and kinetics on its establishment. Effect of process variables on microstructure and ultimately on mechanical, chemical and physical properties.

3030. Introduction to Composite Materials

(230) Either semester by arrangement. Three credits. Prerequisite: MSE 3004.

Principles and applications of manufacturing and mechanics of polymer-matrix, and ceramic-matrix composites. Processing and properties of fibers. Interface characteristics. Design of components using composite materials.

3032. Introduction to High Temperature Materials

(232) Semester by arrangement. Three credits. Prerequisite: MSE 2001 or 2101.

Plastic deformation of metals and other solid materials at elevated temperatures. Dislocation mechanisms; creep processes; oxidation. Strengthening mechanism, including ordering and precipitation hardening.

3055. Materials Processing and Microstructures Laboratory

(286) First semester. One credit. Prerequisite: MSE 2053. Corequisite: MSE 3003. One 3-hour laboratory period.

Illustrative processing, microstructural characterization and control. As-cast, wrought, and solutionized non-ferrous alloys, dendritic, non-dendritic, and eutectic microstructures. Heat-treated ferrous alloys. Composites. Powder metallurgy-processed, and weld microstructures.

3056. Mechanical Behavior Laboratory

(285) Second semester. One credit. Prerequisite: MSE 3004, may be taken concurrently. Three hour laboratory.

Characterization of mechanical properties of materials and fundamentals of materials deformation and fracture processes will be experienced through hands-on projects with tensile, rheological, cyclic, and high temperature testing; drawing; forging; extrusion; rolling; and hot pressing.

3152. Materials Science and Engineering Lab

(202) Both semesters. One credit. One 3-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: MSE 2101, which may be taken concurrently.

Experiments will illustrate the relationships between processing, properties and microstructure for common industrial materials. Topics include sample preparation techniques, quantitative metallography, x-ray diffraction, light and electron microscopy, tensile and fatigue testing, phase transformations, heat treatment, corrosion.

4001. Electrical and Magnetic Properties of Materials

(267) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 1502Q and MSE 2001; or MSE 2101.

Principles underlying electrical and magnetic behavior will be applied to the selection and design of materials. Topics covered will include: thermoelectricity, photoelectricity, conductors, semiconductors, superconductors, dielectrics, ferroelectrics, piezoelectricity, pyroelectricity, and magnetism. Device applications.

4003. Materials Characterization

(236) Semester by arrangement. Three credits. Two class periods and, every other week, a 3-hour laboratory period. Laboratory sections in addition to those initially listed will be arranged. Prerequisite: MSE 2001 or 2101.

Principles and experimental methods of optical, electron, and x-ray examination of engineering materials. Emphasis on use of x-ray analysis, with introduction to electron microscopy, Auger spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and microanalysis.

4003W. Materials Characterization

(236W) Prerequisite: MSE 2001 or 2101; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

4004. Thermal/Mechanical Processing of Materials

(276) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: MSE 3004, may be taken concurrently.

Fundamental principles of materials processing and their quantitative application to process design will be illustrated for deformation processes: forging, rolling, drawing, extrusion, injection molding, powder compaction and sintering.

4005. Processing of Materials in the Liquid and Vapor State

(277) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: MSE 3001 and 3002.

Fundamental principles of materials processing and their quantitative application to process design will be illustrated for materials processes involving liquids and gasses: crystal growth, zone refining, shape casting, continuous casting, refining, welding, and vapor deposition.

4021. Materials Joining

(219) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: MSE 2001 or 2101. Kattamis

Basic materials principles applied to fusion and solid phase welding, brazing and other joining processes. Effects of joining process and process variable values on microstructure, soundness and mechanical properties of as-processed joints. Treatment and properties of joints and joined assemblies. Joining defects and quality control.

4034. Corrosion and Materials Protection

(234) Semester by arrangement. Three credits. Prerequisite: MSE 2001 or 2101.

Corrosion and materials protection designed for engineering students. Principles of materials degradation, extensive case histories and practical applications. Selection of metals, alloys, ceramics and polymers for atmospheric, soil, marine and chemical environments. Evaluation methods, protective measures and the techniques of failure analysis.

4038. Alloy Casting Processes

(238) Second semester by arrangement. Three credits. Prerequisite: MSE 3002 and 3003.

Principles of alloy solidification are discussed and applied in the context of sand, investment, and die casting; continuous and direct chill casting; electroslag and vacuum arc remelting, crystal growth, rapid solidification, and laser coating.

4095. Special Topics in Materials Engineering

(298) Both semesters. Variable (1-3) credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. With a change in topic this course may be repeated for credit.

4240. Nanomaterials Synthesis and Design

(260) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: MSE 2002.

Introduces synthesis and design of materials in the nanoscale. Typical synthesis strategies of low dimensional materials including nanoparticles, nanowires, nanotubes and hierarchical nanostructures are presented and discussed. The reasons behind growth mechanisms are interpreted and the nanoscale structure-properties relations are described. Design strategies of multifunctional nanomaterials will be addressed as well. Readings from modern scientific literature are assigned weekly for in-class discussions.

4241. Nanomaterials Characterization and Application

(261) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: MSE 2002.

Introduces materials characterization and applications at the nanoscale. Standard and advanced methods in Scanning Probe Microscopy, Electron Microscopy, and Focused Ion Beams are presented. Self-Assembled and Lithographically defined structures are treated. Nanoscale particles, tubes, films, and structures are discussed. Applications for enhanced mechanical, electronic, magnetic, optical, and biological properties are described. Societal implications including performance, costs, environmental impacts, and health issues are addressed. Readings from modern scientific literature are assigned weekly for in-class discussions.

4901. Capstone Design Project I

(287) Either semester. Two credits. Six hours practicum. Prerequisite: MSE 3002 and 3004, which may be taken concurrently.

Seniors working in teams with faculty and industry mentors solve open ended projects in design of materials, products, and processes. Oral and written reports are required in each semester. For students with high academic standing the BSE and MS projects may overlap.

4902W. Capstone Design Project II

(288W) Either semester. Two credits. Six hours practicum. Prerequisite: MSE 4901; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.

4989. Introduction to Research

(299) Both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. With a change in topic this course may be repeated for credit. Some sections of this course are graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.

Methods of research and development. Laboratory investigation. Correlation and interpretation of experimental results. Writing of technical reports.