• MSE 6320

    Deformation and Fracture of Structural Materials
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.45

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    Deformation and fracture are considered through integration of materials science microstructure and solid mechanics principles over a range of length scales, emphasizing the mechanical behavior of metallic-structural alloys and electronic materials. Metal deformation is understood based on elasticity theory and dislocation concepts. Fracture is understood based on continuum fracture mechanics and microstructural damage mechanisms. Additional topics include fatigue, elevated temperature behavior, material embrittlement, time-dependency, experimental design, damage-tolerant life prognosis, small-volume behavior, and material property modeling. Prerequisite: MSE 4320, or BS in MSE, or MSE 6050, or permission of instructor for graduate students outside of MSE.

  • MSE 4210

    Materials Processing
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.51

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    This course examines the fundamental principles of physics, chemistry, materials science, and manufacturing which underlie the making, shaping, and fabrication of engineering components from casting and deformation processing (e.g. rolling, extrusion, forging) of metals, to powder processing of metals and ceramics, to polymer injection molding, to thin-film processing and lithography relevant to microelectronic circuit fabrication. Prerequisite: MSE 3070 or Instructor Permission

  • MSE 6240

    Kinetics of Transport and Transformations in Materials
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.55

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    An introduction to basic kinetic processes in materials and develops basic mathematical skills necessary for materials research. Students learn to formulate the partial differential equations and boundary conditions used to describe basic materials phenomena in the solid state including mass and heat diffusion in single- and two-phase systems, the motion of planar phase boundaries, and interfacial reactions. Students develop analytical and numerical techniques for solving these equations and apply them to understanding microstructural evolution. Prerequisite: MSE 6230.

  • MSE 6230

    Thermodynamics and Phase Equilibria of Materials
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.59

    Last Taught

    Fall 2026

    Emphasizes the understanding of thermal properties such as heat capacity, thermal expansion, and transitions in terms of the entropy and the other thermodynamic functions. Develops the relationships of the Gibbs and Helmholtz functions to equilibrium systems, reactions, and phase diagrams. Atomistic and statistical mechanical interpretations of crystalline and non-crystalline solids are linked to the general thermodynamical laws by the partition function. Nonequilibrium and irreversible processes in solids are discussed. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

  • MSE 7140

    Physics of Materials
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.61

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    This course covers the physical principles governing the elastic, thermal, electronic, and optical properties of materials via a fundamental approach integrating materials science with concepts in solid state physics. Special attention is given to the nature of the crystalline state and wave-particle diffraction with a strong emphasis on the reciprocal lattice, tensor, and Brillouin Zone concepts.

  • MSE 6080

    Chemical and Electrochemical Properties
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.63

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    Introduces the concepts of electrode potential, double layer theory, surface charge, and electrode kinetics. These concepts are applied to subjects that include corrosion and embrittlement, energy conversion, batteries and fuel cells, electro-catalysis, electroanalysis, electrochemical industrial processes, bioelectrochemistry, and water treatment. Prerequisite: Physical chemistry course or instructor permission.

  • MSE 6010

    Electronic and Crystal Structure of Materials
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.64

    Last Taught

    Fall 2026

    Provides a fundamental understanding of the structure of crystalline and non-crystalline engineering materials from electronic to macroscopic properties. Topics include symmetry and crystallography, the reciprocal lattice and diffraction, quantum physics, bonding and band theory. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

  • MSE 2101

    Materials Science Investigations: Properties
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.75

    Last Taught

    Fall 2026

    The properties of any material help determine its ultimate usefulness to society. We can modify and manipulate properties by processing materials in different ways to control their structure. This class will examine mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of materials-what they mean, how they depend on structure, how to measure them, how to change them, and how to analyze the measurements. The course includes both a lecture and a lab. MSE 2090 required as a pre- or co-requisite.

  • MSE 3070

    Kinetics and Phase Transformation in Materials
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.80

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    The course aims to let students learn how to perform the analysis of the key kinetic processes, phase transformations, and the development of microstructure in real materials. We will study the atomic mechanisms of diffusion and the analytical and numerical methods to describe diffusion, kinetics of phase transformations and formation of complex microstructure as defined by the interplay of thermodynamics and kinetics of mass transfer. Pre-requisite: MSE 3050 or Instructor Permission

  • MSE 6120

    Characterization of Materials
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.81

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    Provides a fundamental understanding of a broad spectrum of techniques utilized to characterize properties of solids. The methods used to assess properties are described through integration of the basic principles and application. Methods more amenable to analysis of bulk properties are differentiated from those aimed at measurements of local/surface properties. MSE 3670 or equivalent, or a solid state materials/physics course.