Materials Science and Engineering Curriculum
MSE students learn materials science and engineering fundamentals, research skills
and scientific communication in preparation for careers in industry and academia.
Students typically complete their coursework during the first year and focus on research
in subsequent years. Students are expected to choose a research advisor by the end
of their first semester.
Coursework
All MSE students must complete the courses listed below. Courses presented to satisfy
degree requirements must have a grade-point average of at least 3.0 (B).
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MSE 511 - Techniques for Studying Solids
Introduction to the techniques used to make physical measurements on and to analyze
inorganic solids. Examples include electron and optical microscopy, x-ray analysis,
TGA/DTA, NMR and EPR, magnetic susceptibility, and electron and ion transport measurement.
Offered in the Fall Semester. 4 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
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MSE 565 - Crystallography & Diffraction
Fundamentals of bonding in solids; basic crystallography of materials; point groups
and space groups; tensor properties of crystals; symmetry and physical properties;
atomic packing and structures; glassy state; polycrystalline aggregates; grain boundaries
and interfaces; textures; multiphase materials; reciprocal space and its application
to structure analysis; basic diffraction theory and diffraction methods; crystal structure
determination by powder and single crystal techniques. Prerequisites: undergraduate
course in introductory materials science or consent of instructor. Offered in the
Fall Semester. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
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MSE 566 - Reactivity of Materials
Understanding the synthesis and reactivity of solids, phase and defect equilibria.
Use of phase diagrams. Overview of atomistic mechanisms and mathematics of diffusion,
phase transformations and microstructural evolution. Consideration of surfaces and
interfaces, including adsorption and wetting behavior. Spring offering. 4 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
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MSE 590 - Materials Communications & Sem
Students will learn library resources; write a research proposal; and make oral,
poster and written reports on a research topic. This topic will normally be their
planned research topic. Attend seminars on current topics in materials science; students
attend the weekly presentations in materials science and engineering and/or professional
meetings. Discuss and present current research topics. Spring offering. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
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MSE 593 - Frontiers in Materials Science
Seminars on current topics in materials science. Students attend presentations
in the participating departments and/or professional meetings, participate in discussions and write reports. Fall offering.
1 credit.
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
Complete one of the following courses in materials structure and properties.
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MSE 562 - Mechanical Behav of Engr Mtls
A study of the response of materials to applied stresses, especially stress-induced
failures. Relationship between structure and properties, with emphasis on microstructural
changes and failure. Macroscopic and microscopic concepts of fracture mechanics, fatigue,
creep and their interactions. Emphasis on design applications and failure analysis.
Prerequisites: undergraduate courses in mechanics of materials and materials science,
or consent of instructor. Spring Offering. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
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MSE 572 - Physics of Materials
The course is an introductory treatment of the basic physics of solids. Simple
and concrete models, using classical and elementary quantum-mechanical ideas will
be applied to real materials. Prerequisite: a course in quantum mechanics. Spring
offering. 4 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
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CHEM 544 - Chemistry Of Solids
Introduction to modern solid state and materials chemistry. Synthesis of solids,
intercalation chemistry, crystal chemistry, structural analysis, catalysis, transport
properties, superconductivity, electrochemistry, diffusion and other topical areas.
Credits: 4. Format: 3 hours of lecture. Offered: Spring
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
Complete at least two elective courses, half of which must be MSE courses.
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MSE 560 - Thermodynamics of Materials
Examines basic thermodynamic principles including energy, entropy and free energy,
and describes the concepts of equilibrium states, phases and phase transformations.
The thermodynamic treatment of ideal, regular and real solutions is reviewed. Other
topics include the application of phase diagrams, the thermodynamic description of
interfaces and the statistical interpretation of thermodynamics on the atomistic level.
Offered in the Fall Semester. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
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MSE 570 - Transmis'n Electron Microscopy
Basic functions of the various components of a transmission electron microscopy
(TEM) instrument; the physics and theory of electron scattering and electron diffraction;
the physics of the interactions between fast electrons and the specimen; TEM imaging
and contrast mechanism; high resolution TEM; the analytical techniques of energy dispersive
spectroscopy (EDS) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS); operational modes
and various types of TEM techniques to probe the structure, composition and chemistry
of materials.
Prerequisite: graduate status, senior standing or consent of instructor. Spring offering.
3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
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MSE 581 - Materials for Energy
This course will survey the pressing issues in the realm of energy and environment
with a focus on materials for energy storage and conversion. An emphasis will be put
on the mechanistic understanding of the chemical and physical processes that govern
the function and failure/degradation of materials for electrochemical energy storage
and conversion applications, such as batteries and fuel cells. Pre-requisite: CHEM341,
CHEM 351 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. 4 Credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
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MSE 583C - Computational Materials Phys
This course will introduce students to various methods used in computational materials
physics research. There will be a heavy emphasis on density functional theory (DFT)
applied to crystals, surfaces and molecules as it is used to obtain structural and
electronic properties, as well as reaction dynamics and other useful information.
We will also cover force field methods and more advanced techniques. The format will
include an introduction of the theory, but the emphasis will be on doing hands-on
exercises. Students will learn how to use a Unix environment to set up, run, and analyze
calculations. Some light scripting will also be covered. The course is aimed at students
interested in entering computational research streams but will also be accessible to experimentalists
wishing to do their own computations. Offered in the Fall Semester. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
Master of Science Requirements
To earn an MS degree, students must complete 30 credits and satisfy the Graduate School residence requirements.
- Thesis option: 24 coursework credits plus research leading to a master's thesis (6 research credits).
There will be a public presentation of a seminar on the subject of the thesis and
its oral defense.
- Project option: 26 coursework credits plus research leading to a scholarly written report (4 research
credits). There will be a public presentation of a seminar on the subject of the research
project and its oral defense.
- Coursework-only option: 30 coursework credits.
Further information can be found in the MSE handbook.
PhD Requirements
The PhD program places an emphasis on in-depth training, with the expectation of a
significant original research contribution. PhD students are required to complete
24 coursework credits and at least 6 credits of dissertation research. To advance
to candidacy, students must pass a set of written examinations and a prospectus examination.
Minimum Requirements for PhD
- Completion of required coursework and Graduate School residence requirements.
- Meet the proficiency in teaching requirement.
- Satisfaction of comprehensive exam requirement.
- Submission of proposal/prospectus and presentation on proposed research.
- Acceptance of prospectus outlining dissertation research.
- The completion of an original piece of work in a specialized area of materials.
- Submission of dissertation.
- Successful defense of dissertation at oral examination.
Further information can be found in the MSE handbook.