Materials Science and Engineering
Department of Materials Science
and Engineering
College of Engineering
Engineering Building. Room 338
http://coen.boisestate.edu/mse/
Degree Requirements
Materials Science and Engineering
Bachelor of Science
Course Number and Title
Phone: (208) 426-5600
Fax: (208) 426-4466
Chair and Professor: Peter Müllner. Professors: Butt, Callahan, Knowlton,
Moll. Associate Professors: Frary, Hughes, Ubic. Assistant Professors: Estrada,
Graugnard, Lee, Li, Wharry, Xiong. Distinguished Research Fellow: Yurke.
Research Associate Professors: Allahar, Wu. Research Assistant Professors:
Hurley, Lindquist. Lecturers: Donovan, Watson.
Degrees Offered
• B.S. and Minor in Materials Science and Engineering
• See the BSU Graduate Catalog for the following:
• M.Engr. in Materials Science and Engineering
• M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering
• Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering
Credits
Foundational Studies Program requirements indicated in bold.
See page 51 for details and lists of approved courses.
ENGL 101 Introduction to College Writing
3
ENGL 102 Intro to College Writing and Research
3
UF 100 Intellectual Foundations
3
UF 200 Civic and Ethical Foundations
3
DLM MATH 170 Calculus I
4
DLN CHEM 111, 111L General Chemistry I & Lab
4
DLN PHYS 211, 211L Physics I with Calculus & Lab
5
DLV Visual and Performing Arts
3
DLL Literature and Humanities
3-4
DLS Social Sciences course in a first field
3
DLS Social Sciences course in a second field
3
A fundamental understanding of how properties, structure, processing
and performance of materials are interrelated is an essential aspect of an
engineering education. Understanding how these materials properties
can be altered or how the properties change in different applications and
environments is a critical focus for all engineering disciplines. The Materials
Science and Engineering program focuses on the fundamental aspects of the
technical classes of materials including metals, ceramics, polymers, electronic
materials, biomaterials, nanomaterials, and composites. Laboratory emphasis
is placed on the measurement and characterization of these materials systems
and providing hands-on experience with various process operations typical in
the materials fabrication industry.
CHEM 112, 112L General Chemistry II with Lab
4
The study of materials properties has held fascination with scientists for
many years. However, it is in the application of materials to product design
and manufacturing where economic growth is realized. In today’s technology
driven environment, the engineer and scientist work to modify materials to
optimize performance, reduce cost, and to develop materials with a greater
range of capabilities.
Department Statement
The B.S. in Materials Science is accredited by the Commission of ABET, 111
Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, (410) 347-7700.
Educational Objectives
Graduates of the Materials Science and Engineering program will be:
1. Fully qualified as entry-level materials engineers, with an ability to adapt
and progress in a rapidly changing field.
2. Well-rounded individuals who both understand the principles and can
undertake the practice of the science and engineering of materials.
3. Able to operate as effective engineers or scientists in materials industries,
academia, or related fields.
Computer science elective*
2-4
ENGR 120 Introduction to Engineering or
ENGR 130 Introduction to Engineering Applications
3-4
ENGR 210 Engineering Statics
3
ENGR 240 Electrical and Electronic Circuits or
ECE 210 Intro to Electric Circuits
3
ENGR 245, 245L Intro to Materials Science & Engineering & Lab
4
MATH 175 Calculus II
4
MATH 275 Multivariable and Vector Calculus
4
MATH 333 Differential Equations with Matrix Theory
4
MATH 360 Engineering Statistics
3
CID MSE 215 Materials Processing
3
MSE 305 Structure of Materials
3
MSE 308 Thermodynamics of Materials
3
MSE 310 Electrical Properties of Materials
3
MSE 312 Mechanical Behavior of Materials
3
MSE 380 Materials Science and Engineering Lab
2
MSE 404 Materials Analysis or
PHYS 423 Physical Methods of Materials Characterization
3
MSE 404L Materials Analysis Lab
1
MSE 418 Phase Transformations and Kinetics
3
MSE 480 Senior Project I
3
FF MSE 482 Senior Project II
3
MSE 498 Materials Science Seminar
1
PHYS 212, 212L Physics II with Calculus & Lab
5
PHYS 309, 309L Introductory Quantum Physics & Lab
4
Engineering electives*
3
Materials Science and Engineering electives*
3
Technical electives*
6
Upper-division electives to total 40 credits
Total
*Electives must be approved by the student’s advisor.
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1
124-128
Materials Science and Engineering
Course Offerings
Materials Science and Engineering Minor
Course Number and Title
Credits
ENGR 245, 245L Intro to Materials Science & Engineering & Lab
4
MSE 305 Structure of Materials
3
MSE 308 Thermodynamics of Materials or
MSE 310 Electrical Properities of Materials
3
Courses chosen from the following list:
CE 340 Engineering Properties of Construction Materials
CE 341 Construction Materials Lab
CHEM 321, 322 Physical Chemistry I & II Lecture
CHEM 401 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
ECE 320 Semiconductor Devices
ECE 440, ECE 440L Intro to Integrated Circuit Processing & Lab
ECE 441 Advanced Silicon Technology
GEOS 300 Earth Materials
ME 444 Corrosion Engineering
ME 454 Composites
MSE 215 Materials Processing
MSE 305 Structure of Materials
MSE 308 Thermodynamics of Materials
MSE 310 Electrical Properties of Materials
MSE 312 Mechanical Behavior of Materials
MSE 404, MSE 404L Materials Analysis
MSE 418 Phase Transformations and Kinetics
MSE 421 Introduction to Electron Microscopy
MSE 422 Advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy
MSE 428 Interfaces and Dislocation Behavior
MSE 461 Microelectronic Packaging Materials
MSE 477 Biomaterials
MSE 488 Environmental Degradation of Materials
MSE 498 Materials Science and Engineering Seminar
PHYS 309, 309L Introductory Quantum Physics & Lab
PHYS 415 Solid State Physics
PHYS 423 Physical Methods of Materials Characterization
9
Total
See page 61 for a definition of the course-numbering system.
MSE – Materials Science and Engineering
Lower Division
MSE 215 MATERIALS PROCESSING (3-0-3)(S)(CID). Survey of manufacturing
and processing techniques for technological materials including biomaterials,
ceramics, metals, nanomaterials, and polymers. PREREQ: ENGL 102 (or ENGL
112), ENGR 120 or ENGR 130, and ENGR 245.
Upper Division
MSE 305 STRUCTURE OF MATERIALS (3-0-3)(F). Unit cells and lattices, 2D
symmetry, 3D symmetry, and crystal structures. Tensor properties. Bonding
potential and relationship to crystal structure. Point defects, diffusion, line
defects, surface structure, interfaces and microstructure. PREREQ: ENGR 245
and MATH 333.
MSE 308 THERMODYNAMICS OF MATERIALS (3-0-3)(F). Basic thermodynamics
principles including energy, entropy, and free energy. Equilibrium states,
phases and phase transitions of various materials systems. PREREQ: ENGR
245, MATH 333 and CHEM 112 or ENGR 320.
MSE 310 (ECE 340) ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS (3-0-3)(F). Physical
principles underlying the electrical properties of metals, insulators and
semiconductors. The effects of energy band structure, thermal properties and
impurities on electrical conduction. Concepts covered are applied to electrical
devices including nanodevices, MOSFETs and optoelectronic devices. May be
taken for MSE or ECE credit, but not both. PREREQ: ENGR 245, MATH 333 and
PHYS 309 or ECE 212.
MSE 312 MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF MATERIALS (3-0-3)(S). Elastic and plastic
deformation and fracture in engineering materials, including dislocation
theory, alloy hardening and creep deformation, fracture mechanisms, fracture
mechanics, toughening of metals, ceramics, and composites, environmentally
assisted failure. PREREQ: ENGR 210 and ENGR 245.
19
MSE 380 MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING LABORATORY (1-4-2)(S).
Introduction to laboratory test instrumentation and statistical methods used in
materials engineering. Experiments using thermal and thermodynamic
measurement techniques and characterization of electromagnetic properties
of materials. PRE/COREQ: ENGR 245L, MATH 360, MSE 215, MSE 305 and MSE
308.
MSE 404 MATERIALS ANALYSIS (3-0-3)(F/S). Physical and chemical
characterization of the bulk and physical properties of materials. Diffraction,
imaging and spectroscopy using optical, electron, and x-ray methods.
PREREQ: MSE 380.
MSE 404L MATERIALS ANALYSIS LAB (0-3-1)(F). Use of characterization
techniques in materials engineering analysis including microscopy,
spectroscopy and diffraction techniques. PRE/COREQ: MSE 305, MSE 380,
MSE 404 or PHYS 423.
MSE 418 PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS AND KINETICS (3-0-3)(S). Transport
processes and kinetics in materials systems including diffusion, phase
transformations, nucleation and growth, gas-solid and liquid-solid reactions,
and electrochemical kinetics. PREREQ: MSE 305 and MSE 308.
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Materials Science and Engineering
MSE 419 INTERFACIAL KINETICS AND TRANSPORT PROCESSES (3-0-3)(S)(Even
years). Reaction kinetics and mass transport phenomena at materials
scientific programming, and visualization tools. PREREQ: MSE 305, MSE 308,
and PHYS 309 or PERM/INST.
interfaces important in materials processing and performance, including
gas-solid, liquid-solid, and electrochemical processes. Emphasis is placed on
understanding fundamental mechanisms that control rates of reactions and
mass transport. PREREQ: MSE 308.
MSE 465 APPLICATIONS OF MATHEMATICA FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING (1-0-1)(F). The basics of using mathematical software to solve
MSE 421 INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (2-2-3)(S). The theory
and practice of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission
electron microscopy (TEM), including electron optics, contrast mechanisms,
diffraction theory, chemical analysis techniques, and sample preparation.
Some understanding of crystallography is recommended. Applications of SEM
and TEM in materials science and engineering will be covered. PREREQ: MSE
305.
MSE 422 ADVANCED TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (1-3-2)(F).
In-depth understanding of the transmission electron microscope (TEM),
electron diffraction, imaging techniques, analytical techniques, and highresolution electron microscopy (HREM). Students are required to have an
approved project that utilizes the TEM. PREREQ: MSE 421 and PERM/INST.
MSE 423 INTRODUCTION TO X-RAY DIFFRACTION (0-3-1)(S). Practical
introduction to x-ray diffraction and the optimal use of an x-ray diffractometer
for crystalline materials in the form of bulk materials, powders, or films.
Students are required to have a planned project that utilizes x-ray diffraction
and the approval of their supervisor to enroll in this course. PREREQ: MSE 305
and PERM/INST.
MSE 428 INTERFACES AND DISLOCATION BEHAVIOR (3-0-3)(S)(Even years).
Structure of interfaces as groups of line defects including dislocations,
disconnections, and disclinations; application of general concepts to special
situations including epitaxial interfaces, twin boundaries and phase
transformations. PREREQ: MSE 305.
MSE 461 MICROELECTRONIC PACKAGING MATERIALS (3-0-3)(F/S).
Engineering analysis of electronic packaging materials and their effect on
electrical design, assembly, reliability, and thermal management. Selection
process for packaging materials, manufacturing and assembly, single and
multi-chip packaging. PREREQ: ENGR 245.
MSE 464 COMPUTATIONAL MATERIALS SCIENCE (3-0-3)(F/S). Theory and
application of computational modeling and simulation to fundamentally
understand structure-property-performance relationships in materials.
Different length- and time scale modeling techniques (e.g., first-principles
quantum simulation, atomistic, mesoscale and continuum modeling),
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problems in Materials Science and Engineering. PREREQ: ENGR 245 and
MATH 175.
MSE 471 PHYSICAL CERAMICS AND GLASSES (3-0-3)(F/S). Structure property
and processing-property relations in crystalline and amorphous ceramic
materials at the atomistic and microscopic levels. PREREQ: ENGR 245 or
PERM/INST.
MSE 477 (BIOL 477)(ME 477) BIOMATERIALS (3-0-3)(F/S). Theory of
biomaterials science. Medical and biological materials and their applications.
Selection, properties, characterization, design and testing of materials used by
or in living systems. PREREQ: CHEM 112 or ENGR 245.
MSE 478 SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION IN MATERIALS SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING (1-0-1)(F). Intended for students performing research in
materials science and engineering to communicate their latest research
findings to specific targeted audiences. Methods are taught to organize and
compose scientific scholarly research publication at the conference or journal
publication level. Students will implement the methods by writing a scholarly
research paper. PREREQ: Student must be pursuing research in Materials
Science and Engineering, PERM/INST.
MSE 480 SENIOR PROJECT I (2-4-3)(F). Culminating major design experience
that incorporates materials selection, engineering standards and realistic
constraints that include most of the following: economic, environmental,
manufacturability, ethical, health and safety, social and political. PRE/COREQ:
MSE 310, MSE 312, MSE 380, MSE 404L, and MSE 418.
MSE 482 SENIOR PROJECT II (2-4-3)(S)(FF). Culminating major design
experience that incorporates materials selection, engineering standards and
realistic constraints that include most of the following: economic,
environmental, manufacturability, ethical, health and safety, social and
political. PREREQ: MSE 480.
MSE 488 ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION OF MATERIALS (3-0-3)(F/S). Theory
of environmental degradation of metals, ceramics, polymers and biomaterials.
Scientific principles of materials degradation with emphasis on material
interactions within a living organism (in vivo). PREREQ: MSE 308.
MSE 498 MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SEMINAR (1-0-1)(F/S).
Review of contemporary issues with an emphasis on life-long learning in
Materials Science and Engineering. May be repeated for a total of 3 credits.
(Pass/Fail). PREREQ: ENGR 245.