MSE – Materials Science and Engineering
Courses Offered
Lower Divison | Upper Divison | Graduate
Lower Division
MSE 215 MATERIALS PROCESSING (3-0-3)(S)(CID). Survey of manufacturing and processing techniques for technological materials including biomaterials, ceramics, metals, nanomaterials, and polymers. PREREQ: ENGL 102, ENGR 120, and ENGR 245.
Upper Division
MSE 305 BONDING, CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, AND CRYSTAL DEFECTS (3-0-3)(F). Unit cells and lattices, 2D symmetry, 3D symmetry, and crystal structures. Tensor properties. Bonding potential and relationship to crystal structure. Point defects, diffusion, line defects, surface structure, interfaces and microstructure. PREREQ: ENGR 245 and MATH 333.
MSE 308 THERMODYNAMICS OF MATERIALS (3-0-3)(F). Basic thermodynamics principles including energy, entropy, and free energy. Equilibrium states, phases and phase transitions of various materials systems. PREREQ: ENGR 245, MATH 333 and CHEM 112 or ENGR 320.
MSE 310 (ECE 340) ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS (3-0-3)(F). Physical principles underlying the electrical properties of metals, insulators and semiconductors. The effects of energy band structure, thermal properties and impurities on electrical conduction. Concepts covered are applied to electrical devices including nanodevices, MOSFETs and optoelectronic devices. May be taken for MSE or ECE credit, but not both. PREREQ: ENGR 245, MATH 333 and PHYS 309 or ECE 212.
MSE 312 MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF MATERIALS (3-0-3)(S). Elastic and plastic deformation and fracture in engineering materials, including dislocation theory, alloy hardening and creep deformation, fracture mechanisms, fracture mechanics, toughening of metals, ceramics, and composites, environmentally assisted failure. PREREQ: ENGR 210 and ENGR 245.
MSE 380 MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING LABORATORY (1-4-2)(S). Introduction to laboratory test instrumentation and statistical methods used in materials engineering. Experiments using thermal and thermodynamic measurement techniques and characterization of electromagnetic properties of materials. PRE/COREQ: MSE 215, MSE 305, MSE 308 and MATH 360.
MSE 404 MATERIALS ANALYSIS (3-0-3)(F/S). Physical and chemical characterization of the bulk and physical properties of materials. Diffraction, imaging and spectroscopy using optical, electron, and x-ray methods. PREREQ: MSE 380.
MSE 404L MATERIALS ANALYSIS LAB (0-3-1)(F). Use of characterization techniques in materials engineering analysis including microscopy, spectroscopy and diffraction techniques. PRE/COREQ: MSE 404 or PHYS 423.
MSE 418 PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS AND KINETICS (3-0-3)(S). Transport processes and kinetics in materials systems including diffusion, phase transformations, nucleation and growth, gas-solid and liquid-solid reactions, and electrochemical kinetics. PREREQ: MSE 305 and MSE 308.
MSE 419 INTERFACIAL KINETICS AND TRANSPORT PROCESSES (3-0-3)(S)(Even years). Reaction kinetics and mass transport phenomena at materials interfaces important in materials processing and performance, including gas-solid, liquid-solid, and electrochemical processes. Emphasis is placed on understanding fundamental mechanisms that control rates of reactions and mass transport. PREREQ: MSE 308.
MSE 421 INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (2-2-3)(S). The theory and practice of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), including electron optics, contrast mechanisms, diffraction theory, chemical analysis techniques, and sample preparation. Some understanding of crystallography is recommended. Applications of SEM and TEM in materials science and engineering will be covered. PREREQ: MSE 305.
MSE 422 ADVANCED TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (1-3-2)(F). In-depth understanding of the transmission electron microscope (TEM), electron diffraction, imaging techniques, analytical techniques, and high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM). Students are required to have an approved project that utilizes the TEM. PREREQ: MSE 421.
MSE 423 INTRODUCTION TO X-RAY DIFFRACTION (0-3-1)(S). Practical introduction to x-ray diffraction and the optimal use of an x-ray diffractometer for crystalline materials in the form of bulk materials, powders, or films. Students are required to have a planned project that utilizes x-ray diffraction and the approval of their supervisor to enroll in this course. PREREQ: MSE 305 and PERM/INST.
MSE 428 INTERFACES AND DISLOCATION BEHAVIOR (3-0-3)(S)(Even years). Structure of interfaces as groups of line defects including dislocations, disconnections, and disclinations; application of general concepts to special situations including epitaxial interfaces, twin boundaries and phase transformations. PREREQ: MSE 305.
MSE 461 MICROELECTRONIC PACKAGING MATERIALS (3-0-3)(F/S). Engineering analysis of electronic packaging materials and their effect on electrical design, assembly, reliability, and thermal management. Selection process for packaging materials, manufacturing and assembly, single and multi-chip packaging. PREREQ: ENGR 245.
MSE 465 APPLICATIONS OF MATHEMATICA FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (1-0-1)(F). The basics of using mathematical software to solve problems in Materials Science and Engineering. PREREQ: ENGR 245 and MATH 175.
MSE 477 (BIOL 477)(ME 477) BIOMATERIALS (3-0-3)(F/S). Theory of biomaterials science. Medical and biological materials and their applications. Selection, properties, characterization, design and testing of materials used by or in living systems. PREREQ: CHEM 112 or ENGR 245.
MSE 478 SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION IN MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (1-0-1)(F). Intended for students performing research in materials science and engineering to communicate their latest research findings to specific targeted audiences. Methods are taught to organize and compose scientific scholarly research publication at the conference or journal publication level. Students will implement the methods by writing a scholarly research paper. PREREQ: Student must be pursuing research in Materials Science and Engineering, PERM/INST.
MSE 480 SENIOR PROJECT I (2-4-3)(F). Culminating major design experience that incorporates materials selection, engineering standards and realistic constraints that include most of the following: economic, environmental, manufacturability, ethical, health and safety, social and political. PRE/COREQ: MSE 310, MSE 312, MSE 404L, and MSE 418.
MSE 482 SENIOR PROJECT II (2-4-3)(S)(FF). Culminating major design experience that incorporates materials selection, engineering standards and realistic constraints that include most of the following: economic, environmental, manufacturability, ethical, health and safety, social and political. PREREQ: MSE 480.
MSE 488 BIOCOMPATIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION (3-0-3)(F/S). Theory of environmental degradation of metals, ceramics, polymers and biomaterials. Scientific principles of materials degradation with emphasis on material interactions within a living organism (in vivo). PREREQ: CHEM 112 or ENGR 245.
MSE 498 MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SEMINAR (1-0-1)(F/S). Review of contemporary issues with an emphasis on life-long learning in Materials Science and Engineering. May be repeated for a total of 3 credits. (Pass/Fail). PREREQ: ENGR 245.