Materials Science and Engineering

Graduate Courses

Mufit Akinc, Chair of Department

Distinguished Professors: Gschneidner, Jiles, Thiel, Thompson, Trivedi
Distinguished Professors (Emeritus): Verhoeven
Professors: Akinc, Chumbley, Genalo, Gleeson, Martin D, Martin S, McGee, Pecharsky, Shechtman, Tsukruk
Professors (Emeritus): Larsen, Patterson, Smith, Wechsler, Wilder
Professors (Adjunct): Anderson, McCallum
Associate Professors: Cann, Constant K, Conzemius, Mallapragada, Russell, Ustundag
Associate Professors (Adjunct): Biner, Kramer
Assistant Professors: Lin, Napolitano, Tan
Assistant Professors (Adjunct): Selby, Snyder, Sordelet

Graduate Study

The department offers work toward the degrees master of science (with thesis) and doctor of philosophy, with a major in materials science and engineering. Research in the department is administered through the College of Engineering and Institute for Physical Research and Technology (IRPRT) Centers such as the Ames Laboratory, the Center for Nondestructive Evaluation, the Microelectronics Research Center and the Center for Advanced Technology Development which provide excellent facilities and graduate student research assistantships.

Graduates have a broad understanding of materials science and engineering and related disciplines. They are able to communicate effectively with scientific colleagues in formal and informal settings. Graduates are able to address complex problems in materials science and process design while considering the various constraints inherent to both industrial and research environments. They are skilled in carrying out independent and collaborative research, communicating research results and writing concise and persuasive grant proposals.

Prerequisite to major graduate work is completion of an undergraduate curriculum in physical science or related engineering. However, well qualified juniors in materials engineering interested in graduate study can apply for concurrent enrollment in the Graduate College to simultaneously pursue M.S. and B.S. degrees. Graduate assistantships can be awarded to students concurrently enrolled. Both M.S. and B.S. degrees can be obtained in five years of study under the concurrent enrollment plan.

The requirements for the MS and PhD degrees are established by the student's program of study committee within the established guidelines of the Graduate College. These requirements include coursework, research, dissertation, and a final oral examination. The PhD degree also includes a qualifying examination.

There are no foreign language requirements for either of the graduate degrees administered by the Department of materials science and engineering.

Graduate students wishing to declare a formal minor in materials science and engineering will have at least one M S E faculty member serving on their advisory committee. For the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, they will take a minimum of 8 and 12 M S E course credits, respectively.

Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduate students

M S E 501. Thermodynamics of Materials. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Mat E 315 or Mat E 212 or Chem 321, Math 266. Review of basic principles, thermodynamic laws and functions, statistical thermodynamics, probabilities and distributions, phase transformations, solution thermodynamics, phase diagrams, reactions with gases.

M S E 502. Kinetics of Processes in Materials Science. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 501. Reaction kinetics, surfaces and interfaces, solid state diffusion, nucleation and diffusion controlled growth, solidification microstructures, diffusionless transformations.

M S E 515. Advanced Polymers Materials. (3-0) Cr. 3. Overview of basic principles of polymeric materials and the latest developments. Recently introduced polymeric materials (functional block-copolymers, biomedical, conductive, nanocomposites, electrooptical, non-linear optical polymers) and prospective applications in functional coatings, artificial implants, microelectronics, nanodevices, chemo/bio-sensors, and optical computing.

M S E 516. Chemistry of Crystalline Materials. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Mat E 211. Review of the fundamentals of bonding in solids. Crystal and ligand field theories. Crystal systems and symmetry operations. Crystal chemistry of metals and inorganic compounds. Crystal structure-property relationships.

M S E 517. Physical Metallurgy of Alloys. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Mat E 443. Application of fundamental concepts of phase transformations, heat flow, mechanical behavior, and structure-property relations to the problems of heat treatment and selection of steels and aluminum, copper, and titanium alloys.

M S E 518. Metallurgy of Rare Earths. (2-0) Cr. 2. Prereq: Mat E 443 or Phys 322 or 324 or Chem 321. Electronic configuration, valence states, minerals, ores, beneficiation, extraction, separation, metal preparation and purification, crystal structure, transformation, melting and boiling points, chemical behavior, inorganic compounds, alloy chemistry, nature of the chemical bond, mechanical and elastic properties, magnetic properties, resistivity, and superconductivity.

M S E 519. Magnetism and Magnetic Materials. (Same as E E 519.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Mat E 211 or 272 or E E 311or Phys 364. Magnetic fields, flux density and magnetization. Magnetic materials, magnetic measurements. Magnetic properties of materials. Domains, domain walls, domain processes, magnetization curves and hysteresis. Types of magnetic order, magnetic phases and critical phenomena. Magnetic moments of electrons, theory of electron magnetism. Technological application, soft magnetic materials for electromagnets, hard magnetic materials, permanent magnets, magnetic recording technology, magnetic measurements of properties for materials evaluation.

M S E 521. Mechanical Behavior and Manufacturing of Polymers and Composites. (Same as M E 521.) See Mechanical Engineering.

M S E 528. Structure and Properties of Glass. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Mat E 423 or Mat E 212 or Chem 321. Advanced theory of the vitreous state. Structure of glasses, nucleation theory, control of devitrification, composition-structure property relationships.

M S E 533. Characterization Methods in Materials Science. (2-3) Cr. 3. Prereq: Mat E 214 or equivalent. Characterization of ceramic, metal, polymer and glassy materials using modern analytical techniques. Spectroscopic (IR, Raman, UV/VIS/NIR, and NMR), thermal (DSC, DTA/TGA, and DMA) methods, mechanical and rheological testing, magnetic and electrical characterization, and powder characterization.

M S E 534. Scanning and Auger Electron Microscopy. (2-3) Cr. 3. Prereq: Phys 222. Characterization of materials using scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron microprobe, and auger spectrometer. Compositional determination using energy and wavelength dispersive x-ray and Auger spectroscopies. Specimen preparation. Laboratory covers SEM operation.

M S E 535. X-Ray, Electron and Neutron Diffraction. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Mat E 214. Introduction to theory of X-ray, electron and neutron diffraction, symmetry operations, space groups, and reciprocal lattice. Laue and powder diffraction methods and their application to precise lattice parameters, determination of simple crystal structures, phase identification, orientation, texture, grain size, strain, residual stress, and order-disorder.

M S E 539. Electronic Properties of Materials. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Mat E 331 or E E 332 or Phys 322. Review of quantum mechanics, band theory of solids, LCAO model, metallic conduction, lattice vibrations, semiconductors, semiconductor devices, dielectrics, polarization mechanisms, dieletric relaxation, crystal anisotropy, ferroelectricity, piezoelectricity, conducting oxides, magnetism.

M S E 541. Mechanical Behavior of Materials. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Mat E 315, Math 266. Mechanical behavior of materials based on atomic and microstructural considerations. Elasticity, plasticity, yield criteria, introduction to dislocation theory. Brittle and ductile fracture, fatigue and creep, design criteria, statistical aspects of failure.

M S E 544. Oxidation and Corrosion. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Mat E 212. Study of origin, development, and current applicability of theories of corrosion and oxidation of materials.

M S E 550. Fundamentals of Nondestructive Evaluation. (Same as E M 550.) See Engineering Mechanics.

M S E 553. Physical and Mechanical Properties of Polymers. (Dual-listed with Mat E 453.) (2-3) Cr. 3. Prereq: Mat E 351. Overview of polymer chemical composition, microstructure, thermal and mechanical properties, rheology, and principles of polymer materials selection. Intensive laboratory experiments include chemical composition studies, microstructural characterization, thermal analysis, and mechanical testing.

M S E 554. Polymer Composites and Processing. (Dual-listed with Mat E 454.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Mat E 351. Basic concepts in polymer composites, phase separation and miscibility, microstructures and mechanical behavior. Polymer surfaces and interfaces, rubber toughened plastics, thermoplastic elastomers, block copolymers, fiber reinforced and laminated composites. Techniques of polymer processing and materials selection. Viscosity and rheology of polymers.

M S E 564. Fracture and Fatigue. (Same as E M 564.) See Engineering Mechanics.

M S E 569. Mechanics of Composite and Combined Materials. (Same as E M 569.) See Engineering Mechanics.

M S E 570. Toying With Technology for Practicing Teachers. (Same as C I 570.) (2-0) Cr. 2. A project-based, hands-on learning course. Technology literacy, appreciation for technological innovations, principles behind many technological innovations, hands-on experiences based upon simple systems constructed out of LEGOs and controlled by small microcomputers. Other technological advances with K-12 applications will be explored. K-12 teachers will leave the course with complete lesson plans for use in their classrooms.

M S E 580. Biomaterials. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Mat E 211 or 272. Presentation of the basic chemical and physical properties of biomaterials, including metals, ceramics, and polymers, as they are related to their manipulation by the engineer for incorporation into living systems. Role of microstructure properties in the choice of biomaterials and design of artificial organs, implants, and prostheses.

M S E 590. Special Topics. Cr. var. Prereq: Permission of instructor.

M S E 599. Creative Component. Cr. var.

Courses primarily for graduate students

M S E 603. Mathematical Methods for Materials Research. (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Math 266 and permission of instructor. Development of mathematical tools for problem solving and modeling in materials science and engineering, including crystallography, wave propagation, phase transformations, heat and mass transfer, diffraction and anisotropic properties.

M S E 635. Transmission Electron Microscopy. (3-3) Cr. 4. S. Prereq: 534. Characterization of inorganic materials using TEM. Selected area and convergent beam electron diffraction, bright field/dark field/high resolution imaging. Compositional analysis using x-ray and electron energy loss spectroscopy.

M S E 690. Advanced Topics in Materials Science. Cr. var. Prereq: Permission of instructor.

M S E 697. Engineering Internship. Cr. R each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of department, graduate classification. One semester and one summer maximum per academic year professional work period. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

M S E 699. Research.