Materials Science and Engineering

Basic principles of chemistry as taught through practical applications to provide an engineering and life sciences perspective. Topics are: atomic, molecular and supermolecular structure, synthesis and processing, stability of materials, biological materials.

Conceptual perspective for origin of materials behavior – structure/property/performance interrelationships. Materials selection and use of familiar material – metals, ceramics, polymers, electronic materials and composites in electronics, structural and other engineering applications.

Uses, structure, processing and properties of ceramic materials. Scientific principles are introduced through discussion of recently developed ceramics for high technology applications.

Introduction to preparation, molecular structure property relationships, processing and applications of macromolecular materials.

Construction and use of ternary and higher order phase diagrams.

Preparation, structure, properties and applications of metals and alloys.

Atomistic and quantum-mechanical description of the electrical, optical, magnetic and thermal properties of materials. This course deals with metals, alloys, semiconductors, polymers, dielectrics and amorphous materials. Special emphasis is given to high technology applications of electronic materials.

This course provides hands-on experience on the material learned in EMA 3413. Lab topics include identification of electronic components, resistivity and temperature measurements, electronic devices characterization, and laser and magnetic experiments.

Fundamentals of crystallography, x-ray and electron diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, surface analysis and microprobe techniques. Laboratory.

Forming, drying, firing and testing of traditional ceramics.

Forming, drying, firing and testing of advanced ceramics.

Working heat treatment and microstructure of iron based alloys.

Physical metallurgy of non-ferrous metals and their alloys. A correlation of properties, structural and mechanical history, thermal history, and service behavior of the various metals and their alloys.

Paths, energetics, mechanisms and kinetics of processes that alter the microstructures materials.

Structure of complex ceramic compounds and glasses. Influence of structural imperfections and stoichiometry on physical characteristics, surface and interfacial phenomena, diffusion and phase transformations in ceramic systems.

Influence of ceramic microstructure on processing. Chemical bonds, surface phenomena, forming energetics, drying and firing kinetics. Diffusion, nucleation, crystal growth, solid-solid and solid-liquid reactions.

Molecular structure – physical property relationships for polymers: viscoelastic behavior, the glass transition, thermomechanical and rheological properties, the crystalline and amorphous molecular solid state. Correlation of properties with design engineering of polymer applications. Laboratory section included.

Plastic deformation and fracture of metals and alloys, ceramics and polymers.

Mechanisms of deformation and failure of metals and alloys, mechanical testing methods, effects of temperature, deformation rate and stress state on mechanical properties, design of microstructure for optimizing strength and toughness, the laboratory consists of rolling, heat treatment, hardness testing, tensile testing, impact testing and fatigue testing of several commercial alloys including copper alloys, aluminum alloys and steels.

Foundations of energetics, kinetic theory with applications to processes in materials science.

Mechanisms, energetics and kinetics of corrosion and degradation of engineering materials. Economic solutions to degradation problems based upon design and materials selection.

Production of materials for use in solid state electronic devices; nucleation and growth kinetics, solidification of single phase alloys, segregation, dynamics of crystal growth, selection of materials and growth techniques, characterization.

Physical properties of technologically important compound semiconductor materials. Epitaxial growth and practical application of compound semiconductor heterostructures.

Engineering aspects of mineral processing. Unit operations, flow sheets. Science and technology of metal extraction with applications to specific ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

Melting and solidification of metals and alloys including heat flow, solute redistribution, casting defects, micro- and macrosegregation. Foundry techniques including sand casting, permanent mold casting, investment casting and die casting.

Introduction to the technology and science of processing ceramic materials, including traditional clay based ceramics, modern technical ceramics, and glasses. Topics include the nature of fine particles, forming methods and consolidation by heat.

Major processing methods for polymers and polymeric composites as related to the rheological behavior of these systems. Synthesis of polymers via industrial processes.

Metallurgy of metals joining processes including laboratory exercises in soldering, brazing and welding. Selection of processes and design of products manufactured by joining processes.

Philosophy and practice of engineering selection of materials. Case studies in product liability and failure analysis.

Molecular composition, design of ceramic bodies and glazes, design use histories and computer-based design projects.

This course utilizes knowledge of processing and properties of plastics for the proper design of products, molds, etc.

Selected problems or projects in the student’s major field of engineering study.

Short research problems in materials science and engineering, usually including a final thesis.

Continuation of EMA 4913.

The first part of a two-course sequence in which multidisciplinary teams of engineering and business students partner with industry sponsors to design and build authentic products and processes—on time and within budget. Working closely with industry liaison engineers and a faculty coach, students gain practical experience in teamwork and communication, problem solving and engineering design, and develop leadership, management and people skills.

Second part of EMA 4915-4916 sequence.

Laboratory, lectures or conferences covering specially selected topics in materials science and engineering. May be repeated with change of content.

Practical engineering work under industrial supervision, as set forth in the College of Engineering Regulations.