Materials Science and Engr
- CBE 415/CHM 415/MSE 425: PolymersBroad introduction to polymer science and technology, including polymer chemistry (major synthetic routes to polymers), polymer physics (solution and melt behavior, solid-state morphology and properties), and polymer engineering (overview of reaction engineering, melt processing, and recycling methods).
- CBE 430/MAE 430/MSE 430: Squishy Engineering: Using Soft Materials to Solve Hard ProblemsThe milk we drink in the morning (a colloidal dispersion), the gel we put into our hair (a polymer solution), and the plaque that we try to scrub off our teeth (a biofilm) are all familiar examples of soft or "squishy" materials. Such materials also hold great promise in helping to solve engineering challenges like drug delivery, water remediation, oil recovery, and the development of new coatings, displays, formulations, foods, and biomaterials. This class will cover fundamental aspects of the science of soft materials, presented within the context of these challenges. We will have guest speakers describe new applications of soft materials.
- CBE 503/MSE 521: Advanced ThermodynamicsThis course provides an graduate-level introduction to thermodynamics and statistical mechanics relevant to problems in biological, chemical, and materials science and engineering. Topics include: thermodynamic laws and transformations; microstates, macrostates, partition functions, and statistical ensembles; equilibrium, stability, and response of multicomponent systems; phase transitions; fluctuations; structure of classical fluids; viral expansion; computer simulation methods. Applications include polymer elasticity and phase separation, electrolytes, colloidal suspensions, protein folding, surface adsorption, crystal melting, magnets.
- CEE 361/MAE 325/MSE 331: Matrix Structural Analysis and Introduction to Finite-Element MethodsThis course presents the typically decoupled fields of Matrix Structural Analysis (MSA) and Finite Element Methods (FEM) in a cohesive framework. The first half of the semester is devoted to the following MSA topics: derivation of truss, beam, frame, and hinge elements; assembly and partitioning of the global stiffness matrix; and equivalent nodal loads. The second half of the semester covers the following FEM topics: numerical approximation methods, strong and weak forms of boundary value problems, steady-state heat conduction, and linear-elasticity for membranes, plates, and shells. MATLAB is used for coding assignments.
- CHM 503/CBE 524/MSE 514: Introduction to Statistical MechanicsPrediction of the structure and properties of equilibrium and nonequilibrium states of matter. Topics include Gibbs ensembles; microscopic basis of thermodynamics; Boltzmann statistics; ideal gases; Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics; models of solids; blackbody radiation; Bose condensation; conduction in metals; virial expansion; distribution functions; liquids; structural glasses; sphere packings and jamming; computer simulation techniques; critical phenomena; percolation theory; Ising model; renormalization group methods; irreversible processes; Brownian motion; Fokker-Planck and Boltzmann equations.
- CHM 522/MSE 592: Advanced Inorganic ChemistryA detailed examination of bonding and structure in transition metal complexes and crystalline solid materials are undertaken. Group Theory is introduced on an advanced level. A variety of modern physical methods are discussed in this context. Chemical reactivity, including ligand substitution reactions, charge transfer reactions and photochemical processes, are investigated based on electronic structure considerations. Basic physical properties of solid materials are discussed in context to their electronic structure. Examples are drawn from the current literature.
- ECE 554/MSE 553: Nonlinear OpticsA general introduction to nonlinear optics, including harmonic generation, parametric amplification and oscillation, electro-optic effects, photorefractive materials, nonlinear spectroscopy, and nonlinear imaging.
- GEO 501/MSE 541: Physics and Chemistry of MineralsConcepts of solid state physics and inorganic chemistry relevant to the study of minerals with emphasis on the application to study of planetary interiors. Topics include: crystal chemistry, phase transitions, equations of state, dynamic and static compression, elasticity, lattice dynamics, and transport properties.
- MAE 324/MSE 324: Structure and Properties of MaterialsRelates to the structures, properties, processing and performance of different materials including metals, alloys, polymers, composites, and ceramics. This course also discusses how to select materials for engineering applications. This course satisfies the MAE departmental requirement in materials as well as the MSE certificate core requirement.
- MAE 521/MSE 561: Optics and LasersThe course introduces laser essentials, Fourier optics, optical pulses, and laser diagnostics through lectures and practical exercises. Topics include ray optics, wave optics, optical Fourier transform, schlieren imaging, ultrafast optics and material dispersion. Optical component kits are provided for practical exercises aimed at the design and construction of an optical system to focus, collimate, and expand light beams with convex lenses, observe aberrations, perform imaging, study diffraction patterns in the rear focal plane of a convex lens, manipulate light in the Fourier domain, and use schlieren technique to visualize air flows.
- MOL 567/MSE 542: Electron Microscopy in Structural Biology (Half-Term)This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the theory and application of electron microscopy (EM) in biological research. The history for method development, detailed instructions on sample preparation, image acquisition, and data processing are covered. The emphasis of the course is on the use of the single-particle, cryo-EM by biological researchers. Students of other disciplines are welcome. Instruction consists of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on experience using the electron microscopes in the Imaging and Analysis Center.
- MSE 302: Laboratory Techniques in Materials Science and EngineeringA hands-on introduction to the use of laboratory techniques for the processing and characterization in materials science. Structure-property relations will be explored through experiments in mechanical, optical, biological and electronic properties. The underlying theories and lab techniques will be explained in weekly lectures. The goal of the course is for students to develop a solid understanding of material properties and the common techniques used in research, as well as to gain valuable practice in oral and written presentation.
- MSE 304: Nanomaterials and Nanoscale ScienceIntroduction to microscale and nanoscale of materials and devices. Topics include materials made from nanoscale constituents or using nanotechnology, metrology methods, and scaling phenomenon related to mechanical, electrical and optical properties, heat transfer, and fluid flow. MEMS, NEMS, and microfluidic applications, such as sensors and actuators are presented. This course combines traditional lecture with active learning approaches like peer-peer instruction, social annotation, and discussion.
- MSE 501/MAE 561/CEE 561: Introduction to MaterialsEmphasizes the connection between microscale features of hard and soft materials and their properties. Topics include crystal structures and defects, phase diagrams and transformations, polymer conformation and solutions, and mechanical and electrical properties. This course combines traditional lecture with active learning approaches like peer-peer instruction, social annotation, and discussion.
- MSE 506/MAE 565: Advanced ManufacturingThis special topics course focuses on the science and technology behind modern advanced manufacturing methods used in industrial settings. Through a combination of traditional lectures, student presentations, industrial visitors, critical analysis and discussions of journal articles and technical literature, the physics of materials processing for metals and alloys is studied along with implications for applications in various commercial settings.
- MSE 511: Selected Topics in 2D Materials: Physical, Mechanical and Structural Properties of 2D MaterialsThis special topics survey course focuses on unique physical, mechanical and structural properties associated with two-dimensional (2D) materials. These properties are compared and contrasted with those of their 3D counterparts. Ideas from the theory of elasticity and statistical mechanics are reviewed and employed to develop fundamental insights into the behavior and properties of such materials.