A study of special subjects related to developments in materials science under the direction of members of the staff. Offered as required under the guidance of a faculty member.

Analyzes the structure and thermodynamics of surfaces, with particular emphasis on the factors controlling chemical reactivity of surfaces; adsorption, catalysis, oxidation, and corrosion are considered from both theoretical and experimental viewpoints. Modern surface analytical techniques, such as Auger, ESCA, and SIMS are considered. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

Special topic courses in Materials Science and Engineering

Emphasizes the fundamental principles of transmission electron microscopy and illustrates its capabilities for characterizing the internal structures of materials by diffraction, imaging and spectroscopic techniques; includes weekly laboratory exercises. Prerequisite: MSE 6010 or instructor permission.

Develops the student's literacy in aluminum and titanium alloys used in the aerospace and automotive industries. Considers performance criteria and property requirements from design perspectives. Emphasizes processing-microstructure development, and structure-property relationships. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

This course introduces state-of-the-art 3D printing and additive manufacturing techniques for metals, polymers, ceramics, and other materials. Students will be familiarized with both the fundamental science and industrial process, and learn critical limitations and current development efforts to resolve existing challenges. The course will develop a basic understanding for future engineers in working with existing additive manufacturing systems.

We discuss how soft matter science, a new and growing area of materials science and engineering, underpins everyday cooking and haute cuisine. The goal is to use cooking to educate students about the fundamental concepts and behavior of soft materials. The benefit is that students will be able to interrelate cooking techniques and recipes to physical, chemical, and biological transformations in food.

This course introduces state-of-the-art additive manufacturing techniques for metallic materials, processing considerations, unresolved challenges and future opportunities. The course focuses on the underlying mechanisms such as energy-matter interaction, solidification, melt pool characteristics, defects, as well as the impact on resulting materials properties based on the processing-structure-property relationships. Prerequisite: MSE 3070

This course provides a rigorous understanding of polymers and polymeric materials from molecule to macroscopic viewpoint. Topics covered include single polymers, solutions, melts, gels, and networks. The knowledge obtained is universal to all polymeric systems across various length scales and can be applied to both synthetic and biopolymers. Thus, this course can serve as general guidance for the design and development of soft (bio) materials. Pre-requisite: MSE 3050 or CHE 3316 or MAE 2100 or instructor permission

This course is the first semester of a two-semester senior capstone design experience where groups of students bring together coursework fundamentals and laboratory practice skills to develop solutions to a major engineering design problem. Students will apply principles of engineering design to generate iterative concept and design reports in written and oral form.  Co-requisite: STS 4500; Pre-requisite: APMA 3110, MSE 2101, 3050, 3060, 3070, and 3101.