College of Arts and Sciences Multidisciplinary Programs

The PhD-MSE program aims to:

• prepare students to meet the high challenges of scholarship, and become profilic researchers in academia and industry
• provide a research-based learning environment that is conducive to acquiring and analyzing data, developing experimental approaches in materials science and engineering, and practicing the proper scientific research methods
• provide students with knowledge of the latest developments and techniques in the field through a dynamic curriculum that reflects the evolving needs of the region and the world
• prepare students for careers in the governmental, industrial and academic sectors, and train them to lead in creating strategies and developing operations for research and development in corporate organizations as well as government agencies

MSE 500 Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3). Provides an advanced description of structure of different materials including metals, ceramics and polymers. Examines material defects, and the fundamentals of mechanical, electrical, magnetic and optical properties. Covers the connection between material properties, structure and function. Addresses different modes of material failure such as fracture, creep and fatigue. Prerequisites: Admission to the PhD-MSE.

MSE 510 Thermodynmics in Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3). Covers the basic concepts and laws of thermodynamics and their applications. Focuses on the use of internal energy, enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy; Maxwell relations; ideal and real cycles and processes; chemical equilibrium; phases and solutions, phase equilibrium and other applications. Prerequisites: Admission to the PhD-MSE.

MSE 705 Diffraction and Crystallography (3-0-3). Introduces the fundamentals of X-ray crystallography and diffraction. Provides knowledge on how X-ray diffraction can be used to determine the crystal structure for both single and poly crystalline materials. Covers reciprocal lattices, space groups, Ewald sphere construction, elements of diffraction measurements and instrumentation; and the interpretation of diffraction data. Discusses diffraction studies using synchrotron radiation and neutrons sources. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and knowledge of differential equations analysis techniques.

MSE 707 Magnetic Materials and Devices (3-0-3). Introduces basic concepts of magnetism, experimental methods and applications of magnetic materials. Describes magnetic order and excitations in magnetic materials using quantum mechanics. Covers magnetic moment, types of magnetic materials and their properties, domains and effects of nanostructuring, soft and hard magnetic materials, magnetoresistance, spintronics, and magnetic superconductors. Explores applications in magnetic memories and magnetic data storage devices. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and knowledge of differential equations analysis techniques.

MSE 708 Electronic Properties of Materials (3-0-3). Provides deep insights into the electronic properties of functional materials. Covers the concepts of energy bands and electrons behaviors in crystals. Introduces various transport mechanisms for a large spectrum of materials including metals, semiconductors and polymers. Prerequisites: Admission to the PhD-MSE and background in quantum mechanics.

MSE 710 Advanced Thermodynamics in Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3). Explores applications of the laws of thermodynamics in materials science and engineering. Covers chemical reactions, magnetism, polarizability, models and properties of solutions; thermodynamic analysis of the phase diagrams of different materials; thermodynamic activities in solid and liquid systems; equilibrium constant; and phase equilibria. Prerequisites: MSE 510.

MSE 711 Kinetics of Materials (3-0-3). Covers topics related to analysis of kinetic processes in materials including irreversible thermodynamics and diffusion. Explores mechanisms of materials processing, microstructural behavior and phase transformations. Introduces equations for diffusion, reaction rates and rate theories. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and MSE 510.

MSE 718 Materials for Energy Production and Storage (3-0-3). Provides comprehensive knowledge about the importance of the physical and chemical properties of materials as applied in energy generation and storage. Describes the effects of materials structure, chemistry, and defects on performance and efficiency in energy production, conversion, storage and utilization. Covers topics related to materials used in solar cells and solar heat, batteries, hydrogen technology and fuel cells. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and MSE 510.

MSE 720 Advanced Characterization and Analytical Techniques (3-0-3). Focuses on advanced characterization and analytical techniques in materials science and engineering research analysis. Explores the operating principles and applications of electron microscopes and their spectroscopical tools. Covers X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and Raman spectroscopy. Addresses the utility and the limitation of each analytical tool. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and advanced undergraduate laboratory in physical sciences or engineering.

MSE 721 Surface Science and Technology (3-0-3). Provides advanced knowledge of the properties of surfaces and interfaces, with focus on their structure, electronic and chemical properties. Covers surface fabrication and modification methods, surface characterization techniques, adsorption/desorption isotherms, and surface reactions for catalytic applications. Discusses a range of applications including the shape of nanostructures, hydrophylic surfaces, electrochromic and thermochromic coatings, self-cleaning, self-healing and bio-inspired surfaces. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and MSE 510.

MSE 730 Advanced Mechanics of Materials (3-0-3). Covers fundamental concepts of solid mechanics with focus on elastic deformable bodies. Covers tensor algebra, kinematics, strain-displacement relationship, compatibility, stress and traction, equilibrium equations, constitutive relationships, linear elasticity, and solutions to selective boundary value problems. Explores the necessary mechanics background needed for other specific areas of solid mechanics, including plasticity, fatigue and fracture mechanics. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and background in the mechanics of materials.

MSE 731 Plasticity (3-0-3). Focuses on constitutive laws of plasticity, yield criteria, stress-strain relations, flow rules and formulation for rate-dependent and rate-independent plasticity. Covers basic numerical implementation of constitutive models and solutions for boundary value problems. Introduces advanced topics including crystal plasticity and applications of plasticity concepts in materials science and engineering. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and background in the mechanics of materials.

MSE 732 Fatigue of Materials and Structures (3-0-3). Covers materials response under cyclic loading with focus on predicting the fatigue life of materials and structural components. Focuses on stress-life, strain-life and fracture mechanics approaches to fatigue life. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and background in the mechanics of materials.

MSE 733 Mechanics of Laminated Composite Structures (3-0-3). Introduces the continuous fiber-reinforced composite materials with emphasis on equations of anisotropic elasticity, environmentally induced stresses, and constitutive equations of a lamina. Covers micromechanics of stiffness and expansional coefficients. Discusses transformation of stresses, strains and material coefficients. Explores the classical and first-order theories of laminated composite plates, bending and buckling; and the vibrations of composite plates using selected analytical solutions. Prerequisites: MSE 500  and background in the mechanics of materials.

MSE 734 Physical Metallurgy (3-0-3). Focuses on structure-property relationship of metals and alloys based on composition and processing. Covers types of solid solutions, ferrous and non-ferrous phase diagrams with focus on cooling curve and heat treatment. Examines Fe-C phase diagrams, steel and its types, and the microstructure associated with the individual phases. Explores design of alloys and the effect of alloying element and heat treatment in different applications. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and MSE 510.

MSE 740 Computational Methods in Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3). Covers advanced computational methods and simulation in materials science and engineering. Focuses on modeling techniques from the microscopic up to the macroscopic structural scale. Explores molecular dynamics, classical mechanics, potentials for solids, Monte-Carlo simulation for atomic systems, and finite element method applications in materials and solids. Introduces computer-aided design and simulation software. Prerequisites: Admission to the PhD-MSE and knowledge of differential equations or numerical analysis.

MSE 741 Advanced Finite Element Method in Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3). Covers different finite element methods in materials science and engineering. Emphasizes on formulation and assembly of finite elements using shell and solid elements. Covers materials and geometric nonlinearities, heat transfer and structural dynamics and vibrations. Focuses on practical considerations and software use in materials and structures. Prerequisites: Admission to PhD-MSE and background in finite element methods.

MSE 750 Nanomaterials: Science and Applications (3-0-3). Provides detailed knowledge of the physical phenomena, theoretical concepts and experimental techniques to fabricate and manipulate nanostructures. Covers the preparation, testing and physical properties (mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical) of nanomaterials. Explores a wide spectrum of applications such as catalysis, adsorption, sensors, high wear resistant and corrosion resistant coatings, nanophotonics and nanoelectronics. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and MSE 510.

MSE 760 Advanced Corrosion (3-0-3). Provides a strong foundation in electrochemical thermodynamics and kinetics related to corrosion processes. Covers the principles behind corrosion and methods for prevention and control. Addresses materials selection, testing, design consideration practical high-temperature corrosion problems. Prerequisites: Admission to PhD-MSE and background in physical chemistry or electrochemistry.

MSE 761 Advanced Polymers and Composite Materials (3-0-3). Provides an overview about polymers, polymer composites, plastics, elastomers and fibers with concentration on specialty polymeric materials and hybrid polymer composites and their applications. Discusses the processing, fabrication and characterization techniques of polymers and polymer composites. Explores the characteristics, composition, adhesion and morphology of polymers and polymer composites. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and MSE 510 .

MSE 790 Qualifying Examination (0-0-0). Includes written and/or oral parts to test the student’s breadth of knowledge, understanding of fundamentals, and ability to perform independent research work in one of the research areas in materials science and engineering. Prerequisites: successful completion of at least 12 credits of coursework at the 700 level from the PhD-MSE program. Approval of the program director is required.

MSE 794 Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3). Presents a theoretical or practical topic proposed by the faculty beyond what is offered in existing courses. Courses are made available during registration. Can be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: topic specific. Lab/tech fee may apply.

MSE 795 Doctoral Seminar (1-0-0). Provides a unique discussion forum for all doctoral students to interact with a diverse group of faculty from different departments in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the College of Architecture, Art and Design, as well as outside presenters. Encompasses a wide variety of pertinent topics from different MSE research areas. Prerequisites: Admission to the PhD-MSE program.

MSE 799 Dissertation (minimum of 30 credits). Includes the preparation, presentation and defense of the research proposal, as well as the write-up, presentation and defense of the dissertation. Prerequisites: passing the Qualifying Exam and consent of the PhD-MSE Program Director.