Course Descriptions

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

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.

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

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

MSE 2053. Materials Characterization and Processing Laboratory

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.

MSE 3001. Applied Thermodynamics of Materials

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.

MSE 3004. Mechanical Behavior of Materials

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.

MSE 3030. Introduction to Composite Materials

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.

MSE 3036. Non-Ferrous Alloys

Application of materials science and engineering principles to extraction, refining, processing, phase transformations, heat treatment, properties and applications of non-ferrous alloys. Materials covered include alloys of: aluminum, copper, magnesium, nickel, titanium, zinc and refractory metals.

MSE 3700. Biomaterials

Introduction to a series of implant materials, including metals, ceramics, glass ceramics, polymers, and composites, including comparison with natural materials. Issues related to mechanical properties, biocompatibility, degradation of materials by biological systems, and biological response to artificial materials will be addressed. Particular attention will be given to the materials for the total hip prosthesis, dental restoration, and implantable medical devices.

MSE 3002. Transport Phenomena in Materials Processing

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.

MSE 3020. Failure Analysis

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

MSE 3032. Introduction to High Temperature Materials

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

MSE 3055. Materials Processing and Microstructures Laboratory

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.

MSE 3003. Phase Transformation Kinetics and Applications

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.

MSE 3029. Ceramic Materials

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.

MSE 3034. Ferrous Alloys

Application of materials science and engineering principles to extraction, refining, processing, phase transformations, heat treatment, properties and applications of iron-based alloys. Alloys covered include: plain-carbon steels, alloy steels (micro-alloyed, high-speed, stainless) and cast irons.

MSE 3056. Mechanical Behavior 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.

MSE 4001. Electrical and Magnetic Properties of Materials

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.

MSE 4005. Processing of Materials in the Liquid and Vapor State

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.

MSE 4038. Alloy Casting Processes

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.

MSE 4241. Nanomaterials Characterization and Application

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.

MSE 4701. Advanced Biomaterials

In-depth coverage of a series of biomaterials for various applications. Topics include calcium phosphates and composites for hard tissue replacement, drug delivery systems, tissue engineering and issues unique to the biomedical field.

MSE 4003. Materials Characterization

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.

MSE 4021. Materials Joining

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.

4040. Materials Selection in Mechanical Design
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: MSE 3004.
Grading Basis: Graded
Study of materials and how they are chosen for various mechanical designs. A wide range of materials will be discussed (metal, ceramic, polymer, etc.) and their key properties (modulus, strength, density, etc.) in design will be reviewed. Guidelines for material selection will be shown. As part of the course, design trades will also be discussed.

MSE 4240. Nanomaterials Synthesis and Design

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.

MSE 4800. Materials for Advanced Fossil Energy Systems

Will familiarize students with the state of the art in fossil fuel power generation technologies ranging from conventional combustion to emerging technologies such as oxyfuel combustion; integrated coal gasification (IGCC) and fuel cell (IGFC) systems; and CO2 separation and sequestration.

MSE 4901W. Capstone Design Project I

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.

MSE 4004. Thermal/Mechanical Processing of Materials

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.

MSE 4034. Corrosion and Materials Protection

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.

MSE 4097. Introduction to Research

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

MSE 4801. Materials for Alternative, Renewable Energy

Overview of energy conversion and storage systems - centralized and distributed generation to stationary and motive batteries; efficiency calculation and thermodynamics; electrochemistry - primary and secondary batteries; fuels - chemistry, processing, impurities; combustion, gasification and electrochemical systems; materials requirements; bulk and surface properties; metals, ceramics and superalloys; gas -metal interactions; gas - liquid - metal interactions; development trend - alloying principles, coatings, claddings; alloy processing and coating techniques.

MSE 4902W. Capstone Design Project II

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.