Materials Science and Engineering Curriculum & Degree Requirements

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).

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

Complete one of the following courses in materials structure and properties.

• 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

• 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

• 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

Complete at least two elective courses, half of which must be MSE courses. 

• 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

• 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

• 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

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.