Materials Science Electives

The following courses have been pre-approved as IMSE electives and are being offered for the Fall 2025 semester (list updated 04/25/25): 

Complete list of pre-approved IMSE PhD electives (pdf) (updated 4/15/25)

Chem 5011 Quantum Chemistry and Spectra - This course covers the development and application of quantum mechanics as applied to molecular structure and properties. Material to be discussed will include the fundamentals of quantum mechanics; representations; matrix formalisms; applications to model systems; perturbation theory; variational methods; many-electron wavefunctions; Hartree-Fock theory and post-Hartree Fock methods; density functional theory; additional topics and applications. Prereq: Chem 401.

Chem 5014 Physical Properties of Quantum Nanostructures - This course will explore the physical properties of semiconductor nanomaterials with dimensions that are small enough to give rise to quantum-confinement effects. These effects strongly influence the electronic structures, absorption/emission behavior, and charge-carrier dynamics within quantum wells, rods, wires, dots, and nanotubes. The course begins with an overview of the electronic structure of bulk semiconductors. The theoretical and experimental bases for quantum-confinement effects, which are of considerable fundamental and applied interest, will then be developed. A significant emphasis will be placed on the optical absorption and photoluminescence properties of semiconductor quantum nanostructures. Recent advances and observations as reported in the literature will be emphasized throughout the semester. Prerequisites: Chem 461/Chem 5610 and Chem 465/Chem 5620, or permission of the instructor. While the course is steered to graduate students in the Chemistry Department, Chemistry undergraduate students, graduate or undergraduate students in Physics, Electrical & Systems Engineering, Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science may also find this course valuable.

Chem 5620 Solid-State and Materials Chemistry (PhD Core Course Option) - A description of how the structures of crystalline solids at different length scales control their chemical and physical properties is critical for understanding how these materials are applied in a variety of technologies ranging from solar cells to lithium batteries. This course begins with basic crystallography and introduces common inorganic structure types as well as common defects in crystalline solids. With the aid of computer models, students will learn to analyze and index x-ray powder-diffraction patterns that provide a fingerprint to identify a crystal. The relation between the crystal structure of a solid and its resulting electronic structure, chemical reactivity, and physical properties (e.g., optical, electrical, and mechanical) will be discussed throughout the semester with an emphasis on how crystal defects alter these properties. The course will conclude with the use of phase diagrams to assess the composition and microstructure of metals and ceramics. Prerequisite: Chem 105/111A or permission of instructor.

EECE 5020 Advanced Thermodynamics in EECE – (PhD Core Course Option) The objective of this course is to understand classical thermodynamics at a deeper level then is reached during typical undergraduate work. Emphasis will be placed on solving problems relevant to chemical engineering materials science. Prerequisite: E44 EECE 205 or graduate level standing or permission of instructor.

EECE 5040 Aerosol Science and Technology - Fundamental properties of particulate systems - physics of aerosols, size distributions, mechanics and transport of particles: diffusion, inertia, external force fields. Visibility and light scattering. Aerosol dynamics - coagulation, nucleation, condensation. Applications to engineered systems: Nanoparticle synthesis, atmospheric aerosols, combustion aerosols, pharmaceutical aerosols. Prerequisites: E44 EECE 301, E35 ESE 318 and E35 ESE 319 or graduate level standing or permission of instructor.

EECE 5050 Aquatic Chemistry- Aquatic chemistry governs aspects of the biogeochemical cycling of trace metals and nutrients, contaminant fate and transport, and the performance of water and wastewater treatment processes. This course examines chemical reactions relevant to natural and engineered aquatic systems. A quantitative approach emphasizes the solution of chemical equilibrium and kinetics problems. Topics covered include chemical equilibrium and kinetics, acid-base equilibria and alkalinity, dissolution and precipitation of solids, complexation of metals, oxidation-reduction processes, and reactions on solid surfaces. A primary objective of the course is to be able to formulate and solve chemical equilibrium problems for complex environmental systems. In addition to solving problems manually to develop chemical intuition regarding aquatic systems, software applications for solving chemical equilibrium problems are also introduced. Prerequisite: Senior or graduate-level standing or permission of instructor. Students enrolling in this course should have a knowledge of general chemistry.

EECE 5420 Polymers for Energy, Sustainability, and Human Health- Polymeric materials are critical to solving global challenges related to energy (e.g., batteries, membranes, and energy harvesting devices), sustainability (e.g., upcycling, compatibilizers, water purification, and bio-based plastics), and human health (e.g., wearable and implantable bioelectronics, stimuli-responsive soft robots, and hydrogels for drug delivery). This course covers how polymers are designed and processed across many length and time scales to achieve specific target properties for applications in energy, sustainability, and human health. Ideal and real chain conformations, persistence length, polymer architectures, scaling and blob theories, dispersity, networks and defects, and programmed interactions in heteropolymers will be covered. Analysis of polymer structure and dynamics will include: macroscopic and microscopic phase separation, crystallization and melting, glass transition behavior, rouse dynamics, linear viscoelasticity, processing methods, and network elasticity. Key polymer characterization methods including rheology and small- and wide-angle x-ray scattering will be introduced. The course will emphasize individual problem sets, in-class journal club participation, and team-based project work. Prerequisites: EECE 204 or MEMS 301 or equivalent; EECE 301 or MEMS 3410 or equivalent

EEPS 5110 Minerals in Aqueous Environments - Systematic mineralogy and crystal chemistry of common low-temperature minerals, including clays, zeolites, carbonates, oxides of aluminum, iron, and manganese, and metal sulfides. Reactions between minerals and aqueous solutions, including growth and dissolution, surface complexation, and redox reactions. Role of these reactions in chemical weathering, contaminant fate, microbe-mineral interactions, and biomineralization. Focus will be on processes and mechanisms. Common analytical methods introduced.

ESE 4360 Semiconductor Devices – (Check with IMSE Director of Graduate Studies BEFORE enrolling in this course) This course covers the fundamentals of semiconductor physics and operation principles of modern solid-state devices such as homo- or hetero-junction diodes, solar cells, inorganic/organic light-emitting diodes, bipolar junction transistors, and metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors. These devices form the basis for today's semiconductor and integrated circuit industry. In additional to device physics, semiconductor device fabrication processes, new materials, and novel device structures will also be briefly introduced. At the end of this course, students will be able to understand the characteristics, operation, limitations and challenges faced by state-of-the-art semiconductor devices. This course will be particularly useful for students who wish to develop careers in the semiconductor industry. Prerequisite: ESE 232

ESE 5360 Introduction to Quantum Optics - This course covers the following topics: quantum mechanics for quantum optics, radiative transitions in atoms, lasers, photon statistics (photon counting, Sub-/Super-Poissionian photon statistics, bunching, anti-bunching, theory of photodetection, shot noise), entanglement, squeezed light, atom-photon interactions, cold atoms, atoms in cavities. If time permits, the following topics will be selectively covered: quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and teleportation. Prerequisites: ESE 330 and Physics 217 or Physics 421

MEMS 5507 Fatigue and Fracture Analysis - The course objective is to demonstrate practical methods for computing fatigue life of metallic structural components. The course covers the three major phases of metal fatigue progression: fatigue crack initiation, crack propagation and fracture. Topics include: stress vs. fatigue life analysis, cumulative fatigue damage, linear elastic fracture mechanics, stress intensity factors, damage tolerance analysis, fracture toughness, critical crack size computation and load history development. The course focus is on application of this technology to design against metal fatigue and to prevent structural failure. Pre-requisite: MEMS 350


MEMS 5601 Mechanical Behavior of Material - A materials science based study of mechanical behavior of materials with emphasis on mechanical behavior as affected by processes taking place at the microscopic and/or atomic level. The response of solids to external or internal forces as influenced by inter atomic bonding, crystal/molecular structure, crystalline/non crystalline defects, and material microstructure will be studied. The similarities and differences in the response of different kinds of materials viz., metals and alloys, ceramics, polymers, and composites will be discussed. Topics covered include physical basis of elastic, visco elastic, and plastic deformation of solids; strengthening of crystalline materials; visco elastic deformation of polymers as influenced by molecular structure and morphology of amorphous, crystalline, and fibrous polymers; deformation and fracture of composite materials; mechanisms of creep, fracture and fatigue; high strain-rate deformation of crystalline materials; and deformation of non crystalline materials.


MEMS 5603  Materials Characterization Techniques I- An introduction to the basic theory and instrumentation used in transmission electron, scanning electron, and optical microscopy. Practical laboratory experience in equipment operations, experimental procedures, and material characterization. Fundamentals, applications, and hands-on laboratory experience in transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Topics include wave optics of electrons, electron lenses and aberrations, electron-specimen interactions, electron diffraction theory, and quantitative elemental analysis using X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (XEDS) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS).

MEMS 5605  Mechanical Behavior of Composites - Analysis and mechanics of composite materials. Topics include micromechanics, laminated plate theory, hydrothermal behavior, creep, strength, failure modes, fracture toughness, fatigue, structural response, mechanics of processing, nondestructive evaluation, and test methods. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
MEMS 5608 Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering- Topics covered in this course are: the concept of long-chain or macromolecules, polymer chain structure and configuration, microstructure and mechanical (rheological) behavior, polymer phase transitions (glass transition, melting, crystallization), physical chemistry of polymer solutions (Flory-Huggins theory, solubility parameter, thermodynamics of mixing and phase separation), polymer surfaces and interfaces, overview of polymer processing (extrusion, injection molding, film formation, fiber spinning) and modern applications of synthetic and bio-polymers .

MEMS 5610 Quantitative Materials Science & Engineering - (PhD Core Course) Quantitative Materials Science and Engineering will cover the mathematical foundation of primary concepts in materials science and engineering. Topics covered are: mathematical techniques in materials science and engineering; Fourier series; ordinary and partial differential equations; special functions; matrix algebra; and vector calculus. Each will be followed by its application to concepts in: thermodynamics; kinetics and phase transformations; structure and properties of hard and soft matter; and characterization techniques. This course is intended especially for students pursuing graduate study in materials science.

MEMS 5613 Biomaterials Processing - Biomaterials with 3D structures are important for tissue regeneration. The goal of this class is to introduce various types of biomaterials and fabrication approaches to create 3D structures. The relationship between material properties, processing methods, and design will be the primary focus. The topics include degradable biomaterials for scaffold fabrication, processing of tissue engineering scaffolds, processing of tissue engineering hydrogels, processing of drug delivery systems, and scaffold surface modification.

MEMS 5617 Advanced Study of Solid-State Electronics - This course is designed for students who want to pursue advanced study in solid-state materials and electronic applications. It will provide fundamentals of 1) basic solid-state physics 2) phase equilibria and fabrication of emerging solid-state materials: 3D thin films (III-V, III-N, complex oxide) and low dimensional materials (0D, 1D, 2D) 3) electrical and photonic properties and 4) property manipulation: doping and strain engineering. Students will learn various emerging solid-state electronic devices such as HEMT, nano-materials based TFT, QD LEDs, nanogenerators, advanced solar cells and more. The goal of this course is to help students understand fundamentals to design new solid-state device architectures. The course is particularly beneficial for students who have an interest in the emerging semiconductor field.

MEMS 5801 Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems I - Introduction to MEMS: Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are ubiquitous in chemical, biomedical, and industrial (e.g., automotive, aerospace, printing) applications. This course will cover important topics in MEMS design, micro-/nanofabrication, and their implementation in real-world devices. The course will include discussion of fabrication and measurement technologies (e.g., physical/chemical deposition, lithography, wet/dry etching, and packaging), as well as application of MEMS theory to design/fabrication of devices in a cleanroom. Lectures will cover specific processes and how those processes enable the structures needed for accelerometers, gyros, FR filters, digital mirrors, microfluidics, micro total-analysis systems, biomedical implants, etc. The laboratory component will allow students to investigate those processes first-hand by fabricating simple MEMS devices.