Materials Science Electives

The following courses have been pre-approved as IMSE electives and are being offered for the Spring 2025 semester (list updated 010/17/25): 

Complete list of pre-approved IMSE PhD electives (pdf)

Chem 452 Synthetic Polymer Chemistry
A course that describes various methods for the synthesis and characterization of polymers. Copolymers, control of architecture, polymer reactivity, polymer properties, structure/property relationships, and applications of polymers will be discussed. Current topics of interest from the recent literature will also be covered. Prerequisite: Chem 252 or permission of the instructor.

Chem 462 Synthetic Polymer Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 462 is an upper-level undergraduate and graduate-level laboratory course that complements CHEM 452 Synthetic Polymer Chemistry. This twice-a-week lab provides hands-on training in the design, synthesis, and characterization of polymers and polymeric materials through four standard experiments (each one week) and one independent project (over five to six weeks). The independent project involves using an article from the literature as the basis for developing a short proposal. At the end of the course, students give oral presentations of their proposals, which are reviewed by their classmates. Pre- or Co-requisite: CHEM 452 Synthetic Polymer Chemistry or permission of the instructor.

Chem 543 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 and Chem 465, 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.

EEEPS 567 Deformation of Planetary Materials
In-depth look at suites of materials from the Moon, Mars, Vesta, and selected other achondrite meteorite groups. Mineralogy, geochemistry, petrography, and petrology of samples and their geologic settings. Relationships between samples and orbital mineralogical and geochemical data. Comparative planetology and origins. Prerequisites: EPSc 352 and EPSc 437; or permission of instructor.

 EECE 534 Environmental Nanochemistry
This course involves the study of nanochemistry at various environmental interfaces, focusing on colloid, nanoparticle, and surface reactions. The course would also (1) examine the thermodynamics and kinetics of nanoscale reactions at solid-water interfaces in the presence of inorganic or organic compounds and microorganisms; (2) investigate how nanoscale interfacial reactions affect the fate and transport of contaminants; (3) introduce multidisciplinary techniques for obtaining fundamental information about the structure and reactivity of nanoparticles and thin films, and the speciation or chemical form of environmental pollutants at the molecular scale; (4) explore connections between environmental nanochemistry and environmental kinetic analysis at larger scales. This course will help students attain a better understanding of the relationship between nanoscience/technology and the environment-specifically how nanoscience could potentially lead to better water treatments, more effective contaminated-site remediation, or new energy alternatives.

 EECE 574 Electrochemical Engineering
This course will teach the fundamentals of electrochemistry and the application of the same for analyzing various electrochemical energy sources/devices. The theoretical frameworks of current-potential distributions, electrode kinetics, porous electrode and concentrated solution theory will be presented in the context of modeling, simulation and analysis of electrochemical systems. Applications to batteries, fuel cells, capacitors, copper deposition will be explored. Pre/co-requisites: EECE 501-502 (or equivalent), or permission of instructor. (Prior to FL2015, this course was numbered: E33 589.)

EECE 576 Chemical Kinetics and Catalysis
This course reflects the fast, contemporary progress being made in decoding kinetic complexity of chemical reactions, in particular heterogeneous catalytic reactions. New approaches to understanding relationships between observed kinetic behaviour and reaction mechanism will be explained. Present theoretical and methodological knowledge will be illustrated by many examples taken from heterogeneous catalysis (complete and partial oxidation), combustion and enzyme processes. Prerequisite: senior or graduate student standing, or permission of instructor.

MEMS 5506 Experimental Methods in Solid Mechanics
Current experimental methods to measure mechanical properties of materials will be covered. Lectures include theoretical principles, measurement considerations, data acquisition and analysis techniques. Lectures are complemented by laboratory sections using research equipment such as biaxial testing machines, pressure myographs, indentation devices for different scales, and viscometers.

MEMS 5604 Materials Characterization Techniques
Introduction to crystallography and elements of X-ray physics. Diffraction theory and application to materials science including following topics: reciprocal lattice concept, crystal-structure analysis, Laue methods, rotating crystal methods, powder method, and laboratory methods of crystal analysis.

MEMS 5605 Mechanical Behavior of Composites
The course covers topics in multicomponent polymer systems (polymer blends and polymer composites) such as: phase separation and miscibility of polymer blends, surfaces and interfaces in composites, microstructure and mechanical behavior, rubber toughened plastics, thermoplastic elastomers, block copolymers, fiber reinforced and laminated composites, techniques of polymer processing with an emphasis on composites processing, melt processing methods such as injection molding and extrusion, solution processing of thin films, selection of suitable processing methods and materials selection criteria for specific applications. Advanced topics include: nanocomposites such as polymer/CNT composites, bioinspired nanocomposites, and current research challenges. Prerequisite: MEMS 3610 or equivalent or permission of instructor.

MEMS 5607 Introduction to Polymer Blends and Composites
Soft nanomaterials, which range from self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) to complex 3D polymer structures, are gaining increased attention owing to their broad range applications. The course intends to introduce the fundamental aspects of nanotechnology pertained to soft matter. Various aspects related to the design, fabrication, characterization and application of soft nanomaterials will be discussed. Topics that will be covered include but not limited to SAMs, polymer brushes, Layer-by-Layer assembly, responsive polymers structures (films, capsules), polymer nanocomposites, biomolecules as nanomaterials and soft lithography.

MEMS 5611 Principles and Methods of Micro and Nanofabrication
A hands-on introduction to the fundamentals of micro- and nano-fabrication processes with emphasis on cleanroom practices and process development. The physical principles of oxidation, optical lithography, electron beam lithography, thin film deposition, dry/wet etching and metrology methods will be discussed, demonstrated and practiced. Students will be trained in semiconductor fabrication concepts and cleanroom safety protocols. Sequential micro-nano fabrication processes involved in the manufacturing of micro-nano electronics and photonic devices will be developed and explained. Training in imaging and characterization of micro- and nano-structures will be provided. Prerequisites: graduate or senior standing or permission of the instructor

MEMS 5612 Atomistic Modeling of Materials
This course will provide a hands-on experience using atomic scale computational methods to model, understand and predict the properties of real materials. It will cover modeling using classical force-fields, quantum-mechanical electronic structure methods such as density functional theory, molecular dynamics simulations, and Monte Carlo methods. The basic background of these methods along with examples of their use for calculating properties of real materials will be covered in the lectures. Atomistic materials modeling codes will be used to calculate various material properties. Prerequisites: MEMS 3610 or equivalent or permission of instructor.

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 5620 Kinetics of Materials
This course offers an in-depth exploration of phase formation and transformation in solids and liquids. Key topics include equilibrium and non-equilibrium thermodynamics, equilibrium and metastable phase diagrams, nucleation and growth, diffusion and interface-limited processes, shear-type transformations, and order/disorder transformations. Additionally, the course will examine essential deposition tools, such as physical vapor deposition (PVD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD), applying fundamental kinetic principles to materials growth. Discussions will encompass a range of materials, from conventional to emerging.

Physics 5072 Solid State Physics (IMSE Core Option)
Crystal structures, binding energies, thermal properties, dielectrics, magnetism, free electron theory of metals, band theory, semiconductors, defects in solids. Prerequisite: Phys 471.

Physics 529 Statistical Mechanics
Gibbs' formalism of statistical mechanics and applications to thermodynamics. Quantum statistical mechanics and degenerate matter. General theory of equilibrium including phase transitions and critical phenomena. Interacting particles including non-ideal gases, ferromagnetism, and superconductivity. Transport theory, irreversible processes.

Physics 550 Solid State Physics II
Band magnetism and local moments, Ising models, electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions, superconductivity.