Technical Electives
Technical elective courses offered by the faculty of the Materials Engineering Department over the previous years. Included are upper level courses which are offered through distance delivery and are recomended as electives for graduate students lacing these classes.
(note: 589 denotes a pilot course not yet in the catalog)
Spring 2024
4046/4046D Survey of Computational Methods in Materials Science
Computers have become a common tool in the effort to bridge the gap between atomic and macroscopic Materials properties. Examples selected from the literature are used to introduce the student to the principal techniques employed in the field. Topics covered include: polymers, metals, ceramics, magnetic materials, water, phase equilibrium, protein folding, self-assembled monolayers, gelation, the glass transition, rheology, and dielectric relaxation.
5043/5034D Advanced Mechanical Metallurgy
Theory of elasticity/plasticity; dislocation theory; strengthening mechanisms; tensile testing; fracture and related failure phenomena; principal features of fatigue and creep; metalworking; related strain state- strain rate phenomena, including shock deformation and high energy rate forming.
Fall 2023
4045/4045D Introduction to Composite Materials
Reinforcement Materials, glass, Kevlar, polyethylene, carbon, boron, silicon carbide, alumina, metallic fibers. Interface between the matrix and fiber. Polymer matrix, metal matrix, and ceramic matrix composites. Mechanism of fiber strengthening. Micromechanics and macromechanics of composite Materials, their strength and fracture behavior
4083 Scanning Electron Microscopy
Fundamental theory and experimental techniques in scanning electron microscopy. Electron optics, electron beam interactions with solids, signal detection and processing. Chemical X-ray microanalysis. Undergraduate students majoring in Materials Engineering are required to take MTLS 483 and MTLS 483L concurrently.
5031/5031D Fundametal of Manufacturing processes
Introduction to Materials design; flow theories and work of deformation, microstructure-property relationships for different Materials; fracture; casting and heat-flow/mass-transfer issues; bulk deformation processing with applications to rolling and extrusion; powder metallurgy and sintering of metal and ceramic powders.
5034/5034D Phase Equilibria in Materials Systems
The theoretical and practical aspects of phase equilibria of metal and ceramic multicomponent systems will be examined in detail. The thermodynamics and experimental methods of determining phase equilibria of these systems will be studied. Particular emphasis to Gibbs phase rule, the construction and interpretation of phase diagrams, and the importance of nonequilibrium in metals and ceramics will be investigated. Thermodynamic calculations related to phase stability and phase diagram prediction will be performed using the modeling software, Thermo-Calc.
Spring 2023
420/520 Biomedical Materials
This course covers the application of Materials in medical devices. Mechanical properties of hard and soft tissues are reviewed. Applications of biomaterials in orthopedics are discussed with emphasis on problems of material-tissue interactions. Other biomedical Materials are covered with applications in skin transplants, eye surgery, pacemakers, tissue engineering, and neural prostheses. Host responses are surveyed including adaptation, inflammation, coagulation, foreign body effects, and changes in tissue and organ functions. Methods for biological and clinical testing are highlighted. Regulatory, ethical and business issues are discussed. MTLS 420 shares lecture with MTLS 520 with additional expectations for graduate credit.
446 Survey of Computational Methods in Materials Science
Computers have become a common tool in the effort to bridge the gap between atomic and macroscopic Materials properties. Examples selected from the literature are used to introduce the student to the principal techniques employed in the field. Topics covered include: polymers, metals, ceramics, magnetic materials, water, phase equilibrium, protein folding, self-assembled monolayers, gelation, the glass transition, rheology, and dielectric relaxation.
560 Failure Analysis
Failure analysis is the science of unraveling why a product failed unexpectedly. The results of the failure analysis may be used to design a better product, or as evidence in litigation. This course will cover the proper methodology for investigating a failure, the common failure modes of structures and machines, fractography, the procedure for writing a failure analysis report, and the legal implications.
550 Microstructures & Properties of Steel
With the ubiquitous presence of steels in our lives along with literally thousands of compositions and heat treatments, and strength-ductility combinations that cover a very wide range, it is natural to ask why that is so. This course intends to answer some of those questions, focusing primarily on the microstructure and mechanical properties of steels. Topics include: the influence of C-interstitial on the Fe-lattice distortion, the iron-carbon phase diagram, allotriomorphic transformation from austenite to ferrite, Widmanstätten ferrite, pearlite, kinetics of transformations and mechanisms that influence the microstructure and properties, effects of substitutional solutes on phase transformation and kinetics, crystallography of martensite, nucleation and growth of martensite and influence on mechanical properties, transformation induced toughening, bainitic transformations and microstructure, thermomechanical treatment of steels, micro-alloyed steels, stainless steels, fracture and embrittlement.
Fall 2022
445 Introduction to Composite Materials
Reinforcement Materials, glass, Kevlar, polyethylene, carbon, boron, silicon carbide, alumina, metallic fibers. Interface between the matrix and fiber. Polymer matrix, metal matrix, and ceramic matrix composites. Mechanism of fiber strengthening. Micromechanics and macromechanics of composite Materials, their strength and fracture behavior
452 Solid State Physics for Engineers
Discussion of physical properties of metals, semiconductors, and dielectrics from the viewpoint of solid-state theory. Electron dynamics, electronic transport, interaction of electromagnetic waves with solids, wave mechanics, quantum mechanics, free electron theory, band theory of solids. Application of semiconductor and quantum physics to modern electronic and opto-electronic devices
483 Scanning Electron Microscopy
Fundamental theory and experimental techniques in scanning electron microscopy. Electron optics, electron beam interactions with solids, signal detection and processing. Chemical X-ray microanalysis. Undergraduate students majoring in Materials Engineering are required to take MTLS 483 and MTLS 483L concurrently.
509 Statistical Mechanics of Simple Materials
After a brief review of thermodynamics, the basics of Statistical Mechanics are presented and applied to a number of cases of interest. These include solid state heat capacity, the adsorption of gases on surfaces, Bose-Einstein statistics, blackbody radiation, magnetism, superfluidity, Fermi-Dirac statistics, the electron gas, theories of phase transitions, and the Monte Carlo method.
543 Advanced Mechanical Metallurgy
Theory of elasticity/plasticity; dislocation theory; strengthening mechanisms; tensile testing; fracture and related failure phenomena; principal features of fatigue and creep; metalworking; related strain state- strain rate phenomena, including shock deformation and high energy rate forming.
564 Nano-Optics
Review of Nano-Optics—an emerging field, rapidly developing as a part of nanoscience
and
nanotechnology requiring tools and techniques for fabrication, manipulation and characterization
at nanoscale. The class covers theoretical foundations on propagation and focusing
of optical fields; methods of nanoscale optical microscopy: near-field optical probes
and nanoscale distance control; features of optical interaction in nanoscale environments.
Modern applications of nano-optics including quantum emitters, photonic crystals and
resonators, surface plasmons structures and devices, will be discussed in the frames
of this class.
580 Dislocation Theory
Dislocations in isotropic continua; effects of dislocations on crystal structure; point defects and physical properties; point defects and mechanical properties; dislocation-point-defect interactions and groups of dislocations; dislocation interactions.
589 Surface Characterization Techniques
A surface is an interface from one material to another and plays a key role in many chemical engineering processes. This course is to learn the principle of surface characterization techniques and corresponding instrumentation. Relevant research papers will be discussed for various systems such as polymers, semiconducting materials, and biomaterials. Topics include surface topography (e.g., profilometers, ellipsometers, AFM, etc.); spectroscopy (e.g., NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, etc.); microscopy (e.g., SEM, TEM, etc.); and X-ray scattering (e.g., XRD, GIXDS, XPS, NEXAFS, etc.).
Spring 2022
327 Introduction to Physical Metallurgy
>> Typically an undergraduate course, 327 is offered for graduate students with non-Materials backgrounds. Exams will be on-line (through Canvas) during the class period. Distance students must make arrangements to take exams at those times<<
Prerequisite: MATE or MTLS 202
Mechanisms of deformation and fracture in metals. Binary phase diagrams. Phase transformations,
age hardening, heat treatment of steels, TTT diagrams, CT diagrams, martensitic transformation,
shape-memory effects. Common ferrous and non-ferrous alloys.
351 Introduction to Polymeric Materials
>> Typically an undergraduate course, 351 is offered for graduate students with non-Materials backgrounds. Exams will be on-line (through Canvas) during the class period. Distance students must make arrangements to take exams at those times<<
Prerequisites: (MATE or MTLS 202); or (MATE or MTLS 235); MATH 231 or MATH 335
Basic concepts of polymer science; polymerization reactions and mechanisms, as well
as kinetics involved; polymer solutions, molecular-weight determinations,
analysis and testing of polymers; structural properties of polymers; properties of
commercial polymers; processing of polymers.
420/520 Biomedical Materials
Prerequisite: (MATE or MTLS 202) or (MATE or MTLS 235) or consent of instructor and advisor
This course covers the application of Materials in medical devices. Mechanical properties of hard and soft tissues are reviewed. Applications of biomaterials in orthopedics are discussed with emphasis on problems of material-tissue interactions. Other biomedical Materials are covered with applications in skin transplants, eye surgery, pacemakers, tissue engineering, and neural prostheses. Host responses are surveyed including adaptation, inflammation, coagulation, foreign body effects, and changes in tissue and organ functions. Methods for biological and clinical testing are highlighted. Regulatory, ethical and business issues are discussed. MTLS 420 shares lecture with MTLS 520 with additional expectations for graduate credit.
474 Polymer Processing & Characterization
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
The basics of rheology, calorimetry and mechanical testing are covered. A specific
polymer is used (e.g., an epoxy) throughout the course and the processing of this
polymer is covered. Students are expected to acquire a working knowledge of the instrumentation
and analysis tools used in the course. These include rheometers, calorimeters, and
mechanical testing. The primary analysis tool is Kaleidagraph software.
505 Electronic Materials
Prerequisite: MATE or MTLS 235 and graduate standing; or consent of instructor and advisor Review of electronic, atomic, and defect structures which govern electrical behavior of ceramics and metals. Bulk and printed (thick film) electronic sensors and components. Superionic conductors used in solid electrolyte batteries, and developments in new high-temperature superconducting ceramics. Polarization mechanisms and relaxation phenomena in dielectrics, with discussion of low-permittivity and microwave dielectrics.
540 Electrochemical Techniques & Process
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or consent of instructor and advisor This course is an overview of the growing field of electrochemistry, and the many electrochemical techniques and processes. The lectures and assignments will review the theory and the science of batteries, electroplating, fuel cells, electrocatalysis, electro-refining, corrosion, bioelectrochemistry, and organic electrosynthesis. In addition to the applications, the electrochemical techniques will also be introduced, including open circuit potentials, linear polarization, potentiodynamic polarization, cyclic voltammetry, zeta potentials, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and photoelectrochemistry.
575 Introduction to Nano Materials
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor and advisor
An introduction to physical basics of nanosystems, physics and chemistry of nanostructure
synthesis and fabrication. Other topics include: semiconductor nanostructures, magnetic
nanostructures and spintronics, molecular nanostructures, electron transport in nanosystems,
optical effects in nanosystems, nanomachines, nanoscale biological assemblies, nanocomposite
Materials.
589 Transport Process Modeling
589 Bioprocess Engineering
Fall 2021
>> Typically an undergraduate course, 350 is offered for graduate students with non-Materials backgrounds. Exams will be on-line (through Canvas) during the class period. Distance students must make arrangements to take exams at those times<<
The mathematical structure of thermodynamics is developed and elucidated from a transport-processbased perspective. Basic quantities such as heat and temperature are carefully defined. The conserved nature of the First-Law and the non-conserved nature of the Second Law are emphasized. The consequences of the ensuing stability-conditions are explored in the area of phase equilibrium in multicomponent mixtures.
446 Survey of Computational Methods in Materials Science
Computers have become a common tool in the effort to bridge the gap between atomic and macroscopic Materials properties. Examples selected from the literature are used to introduce the student to the principal techniques employed in the field. Topics covered include: polymers, metals, ceramics, magnetic materials, water, phase equilibrium, protein folding, self-assembled monolayers, gelation, the glass transition, rheology, and dielectric relaxation.
452 Solid State Physics for Engineers
Discussion of physical properties of metals, semiconductors, and dielectrics from the viewpoint of solid-state theory. Electron dynamics, electronic transport, interaction of electromagnetic waves with solids, wave mechanics, quantum mechanics, free electron theory, band theory of solids. Application of semiconductor and quantum physics to modern electronic and opto-electronic devices
483 Scanning Electron Microscopy
Fundamental theory and experimental techniques in scanning electron microscopy. Electron optics, electron beam interactions with solids, signal detection and processing. Chemical X-ray microanalysis. Undergraduate students majoring in Materials Engineering are required to take MTLS 483 and MTLS 483L concurrently.
531 Fundamentals in Manufacturing Processes of Materials
Introduction to Materials design; flow theories and work of deformation, microstructure-property relationships for different Materials; fracture; casting and heat-flow/mass-transfer issues; bulk deformation processing with applications to rolling and extrusion; powder metallurgy and sintering of metal and ceramic powders.
534 Phase Equilibria in Materials Systems
The theoretical and practical aspects of phase equilibria of metal and ceramic multicomponent systems will be examined in detail. The thermodynamics and experimental methods of determining phase equilibria of these systems will be studied. Particular emphasis to Gibbs phase rule, the construction and interpretation of phase diagrams, and the importance of nonequilibrium in metals and ceramics will be investigated. Thermodynamic calculations related to phase stability and phase diagram prediction will be performed using the modeling software, Thermo-Calc.
564 Nano-Optics
Review of Nano-Optics—an emerging field, rapidly developing as a part of nanoscience
and
nanotechnology requiring tools and techniques for fabrication, manipulation and characterization
at nanoscale. The class covers theoretical foundations on propagation and focusing
of optical fields; methods of nanoscale optical microscopy: near-field optical probes
and nanoscale distance control; features of optical interaction in nanoscale environments.
Modern applications of nano-optics including quantum emitters, photonic crystals and
resonators, surface plasmons structures and devices, will be discussed in the frames
of this class.
566 Interfacial Phenomena
Thermodynamics of interfaces (liquid/liquid, liquid/vapor, liquid/solid, solid/solid, solid/vapor); interfacial equilibria; interfacial free energy (surface tension measurements in liquids; specific surface free energy in solid systems); structure of solid surfaces and interfaces; properties of interfaces.
580 Dislocation Theory
Dislocations in isotropic continua; effects of dislocations on crystal structure; point defects and physical properties; point defects and mechanical properties; dislocation-point-defect interactions and groups of dislocations; dislocation interactions.
589 Surface Characterization Techniques
A surface is an interface from one material to another and plays a key role in many chemical engineering processes. This course is to learn the principle of surface characterization techniques and corresponding instrumentation. Relevant research papers will be discussed for various systems such as polymers, semiconducting materials, and biomaterials. Topics include surface topography (e.g., profilometers, ellipsometers, AFM, etc.); spectroscopy (e.g., NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, etc.); microscopy (e.g., SEM, TEM, etc.); and X-ray scattering (e.g., XRD, GIXDS, XPS, NEXAFS, etc.).
Spring 2021
314 Transport Processes
Prerequisites: MATH 1510, MATH 1520; PHYS 1310
Introduction to the concepts of fluid dynamics and mass
and heat transfer.
327 Introduction to Physical Metallurgy
Prerequisite: MATE or MTLS 202
Mechanisms of deformation and fracture in metals. Binary phase diagrams. Phase transformations,
age hardening, heat treatment of steels, TTT diagrams, CT diagrams, martensitic transformation,
shape-memory effects. Common ferrous and non-ferrous alloys.
351 Introduction to Polymeric Materials
Prerequisites: (MATE or MTLS 202); or (MATE or MTLS 235); MATH 231 or MATH 335
Basic concepts of polymer science; polymerization reactions and mechanisms, as well
as kinetics involved; polymer solutions, molecular-weight determinations,
analysis and testing of polymers; structural properties of polymers; properties of
commercial polymers; processing of polymers.
420/520 Biomedical Materials
Prerequisite: (MATE or MTLS 202) or (MATE or MTLS 235) or consent of instructor and advisor
This course covers the application of Materials in medical devices. Mechanical properties of hard and soft tissues are reviewed. Applications of biomaterials in orthopedics are discussed with emphasis on problems of material-tissue interactions. Other biomedical Materials are covered with applications in skin transplants, eye surgery, pacemakers, tissue engineering, and neural prostheses. Host responses are surveyed including adaptation, inflammation, coagulation, foreign body effects, and changes in tissue and organ functions. Methods for biological and clinical testing are highlighted. Regulatory, ethical and business issues are discussed. MTLS 420 shares lecture with MTLS 520 with additional expectations for graduate credit.
509 Statistical Mechanics of Simple Materials
Prerequisite: (MATE or MTLS 350) or ChE 349 or Graduate Standing or consent of instructor
and advisor
After a brief review of thermodynamics, the basics of Statistical Mechanics are presented
and applied to a number of cases of interest. These include solid state heat capacity,
the adsorption of gases on surfaces, Bose-Einstein statistics, blackbody radiation,
magnetism, superfluidity, Fermi-Dirac statistics, the electron gas, theories of phase
transitions, and the Monte Carlo method.
570 Corrosion Phenomena
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing or consent of instructor and advisor
Theory of aqueous corrosion (thermodynamics and kinetics); forms of corrosion; corrosion
testing and evaluation; designing to minimize corrosion; methods of corrosion prevention;
corrosion in specific systems; case studies.
589 Materials Applications of Density Functional Theory
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor and advisor
The course is an introduction to materials modeling using the quantum theory of materials
and first-principles computational techniques. Specifically, the use of density functional
theory will be explored to solve an approximated version of the Schrodinger equation
in order to obtain materials properties of metals and their alloys. The course will
explore theoretical aspects of density functional theory including the clamped nuclei
approximation, the exclusion principles, and the mean-field approximation. The Hartree-Fock
and Kohn-Sham equations are studied. All course material will be strongly coupled
to hands-on computations using Vienna ab-initio Simulation Package.
Fall 2020
446 Survey of Computational Methods in Materials Science
Computers have become a common tool in the effort to bridge the gap between atomic and macroscopic Materials properties. Examples selected from the literature are used to introduce the student to the principal techniques employed in the field. Topics covered include: polymers, metals, ceramics, magnetic materials, water, phase equilibrium, protein folding, self-assembled monolayers, gelation, the glass transition, rheology, and dielectric relaxation.
483 Scanning Electron Microscopy
Fundamental theory and experimental techniques in scanning electron microscopy. Electron optics, electron beam interactions with solids, signal detection and processing. Chemical X-ray microanalysis. Undergraduate students majoring in Materials Engineering are required to take MTLS 483 and MTLS 483L concurrently.
531 Fundamentals in Manufacturing Processes of Materials
Introduction to Materials design; flow theories and work of deformation, microstructure-property
relationships for different Materials; fracture; casting and heat-flow/mass-transfer issues; bulk deformation processing with applications to rolling and extrusion; powder metallurgy and sintering of metal and ceramic powders.
564 Nano-Optics
Review of Nano-Optics—an emerging field, rapidly developing as a part of nanoscience
and
nanotechnology requiring tools and techniques for fabrication, manipulation and characterization
at nanoscale. The class covers theoretical foundations on propagation and focusing
of optical fields; methods of nanoscale optical microscopy: near-field optical probes
and nanoscale distance control; features of optical interaction in nanoscale environments.
Modern applications of nano-optics including quantum emitters, photonic crystals and
resonators, surface plasmons
structures and devices, will be discussed in the frames of this class.
580 Dislocation Theory
Dislocations in isotropic continua; effects of dislocations on crystal structure; point defects and physical properties; point defects and mechanical properties; dislocation-point-defect interactions and groups of dislocations; dislocation interactions.
589 Metallurgical Phase Transformations
Spring 2020
509 Statistical Mechanics of Simple Materials
420/520 Biomedical Materials
530 Design and Analysis of Experiments
560 Failure analysis
589 Intro. to Modeling and Simulation of Transport Processes
589 Biomedical Imaging
589 Conjugated Polymers
Fall 2019
452 Solid State Physics for Engineers
483 Scanning Electron Microscopy
531 Fundamentals in Manufacturing Processes of Materials
534 Phase Equilibria in Materials Systems
564 Nano-Optics
Spring 2019
503 Crystal Chemistry and Crystal Physics
530 Design and Analysis of Experiments
570 Corrosion Phenomena
575 Introduction to Nano Materials
576 Drug Delivery Techniques
589 Materials Application of Density Functional Theory
589 Conjugated Polymers
589 Modeling of Chemical Reactions
Fall 2018
446 Survey of Computational Methods in Materials Science
452 Solid State Physics for Engineers
560 Failure analysis
589 Aerosol Science and Technology
589 Metallurgy of Steel
589 Bio-Materials Processing
Spring 2018
474 Polymer Processing and Characterization
483 Scanning Electron Microscopy
505 Electronic Materials
575 Introduction to Nano Materials
534 Phase Equilibria in Materials Systems
589 Bio-Materials Processing
Fall 2017
452 Solid State Physics for Engineers
509 Statistical Mechanics of Simple Materials
531 Fundamentals in Manufacturing Processes of Materials
516 Biomimetic Materials
534 Phase Equilibria in Materials Systems
540 Electrochemical Techniques & Process
564 Nano-Optics
566 Interfacial Phenomena
589 Bio-Materials
Spring 2017
483 Scanning Electron Microscopy
572 Advanced Transport Phenomena
589 Bio-Materials Processing
530 Design and Analysis of Experiments
543 Advanced Mechanical Metallurgy
570 Corrosion Phenomena
589 Nano-Structures Nano-Materials
576 Drug Delivery Techniques
Fall 2016
446 Survey of Computational Methods in Materials Science
452 Solid State Physics for Engineers
489 Modeling of Advanced Materials
531 Fundamentals in Manufacturing Processes of Materials
560 Failure analysis
589 Bio-Materials Processing
Spring 2016
474 Polymer Processing and Characterization
483 Scanning Electron Microscopy
505 Electronic Materials
543 Advanced Mechanical Metallurgy
589 Aerosol Science and Technology
516 Biomimetic Materials
Fall 2015
452 Solid State Physics for Engineers
509 Statistical Mechanics of Simple Materials
530 Design and Analysis of Experiments
589 Metallurgy of Steel
589 Bio-Materials Processing