Boise State University
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Spring 2005
Prof. Knowlton
MSE 308: Thermodynamics of Materials
- Course Syllabus and Objectives Instructor: Bill Knowlton, 202M MEC, 426-5705 (emergency only), BKnowlton@boisestate.edu
Classroom, Date and Time: MEC 309, MWF; 12:40-1:30 pm
Office Hours: MW: 4-5 pm & TTh 9:30-10:30 am (or by appointment) – send e-mail (do not call).
Prerequisites: Math 333 (differential equations), ENGR 245, Physics 309 or permission of instructor.
Course Website: http://coen.boisestate.edu/BKnowlton/ then click on "Courses"
Text Book: Required: Introduction to the Thermodynamics of Materials, David R. Gaskell, 4th ED.
(Taylor & Francis, 2003) ISBN: 1-56032-992-0
Final Exam: Date: Monday, May 9; Time: 1-3pm; Room: MEC 309
Assessment Methods:
• Problem Sets (30%): 12-16 problem sets
o Turned in prior to class on Wednesday. No late problem sets accepted.
o There will be considerable computation involved. You are encouraged to use
mathematical software packages such as Mathematica, Maple or MathLab as long as the
output is neat and decipherable. MEC 408 Computer Lab has Mathematica. Many
Computer labs have Maple & MathLab.
• Quizzes (25%): every week on Monday. If we have over 6 quizzes, then can drop one.
• Midterm (20%)
• Final (20%): cumulative
• Course participation (5%): answering questions, asking questions, providing feedback, (attending
class helps)
• Extra Credit Assignments: Solving computational problems using Mathematica. Typically 3-5
extra credit points that is applied to your homework grade. Due with problem sets (THIS IS
OPTIONAL). MEC 408 Computer Lab has Mathematica.
• Other: All quizzes/exams will be closed book. You may need a calculator and possibly a straight
edge. You will be provided with an equation sheet. Exams will include both problem solving and
conceptual or short answers. When problem solving, you must show all work to receive full
credit. Any requests for grade adjustments should be made within one week of the time the grade
in question was returned to you. These requests should be submitted in writing to the instructor
with an explanation of the situation clearly identified. Working or studying in teams is
encouraged. However, homework problems that are to be graded (and of course quizzes and
exams) must be individually derived and submitted. Submitted problem sets must be legible, neat
and decipherable.
Course Description: Basic thermodynamics principles including energy, entropy and free energy.
Equilibrium states, phases and phase transitions of various materials systems. The laws of
thermodynamics are applied and related to the equilibria of single and multicomponent systems.
Solutions in liquid phase are introduced and used to exam solutions in the solid phase. These
concepts are used to discuss and derive equilibrium phase diagrams.
Course Objectives: At the end of the course, the student should be able to…
• Use free energy and entropy concepts to formulate the equilibrium conditions of a general
system.
• Use a mathematical program to graphically compute free energy composition curves of a binary
multi-phase materials system and use the curves to generate a binary equilibrium phase diagram
given certain thermodynamic materials constants of the materials system.
• Recommend a materials system given certain process criteria and an equilibrium phase diagram
of the materials system.
• Derive the statistical thermodynamic relations that are thermodynamically equivalent to the
classical thermodynamic relationships.
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Boise State University
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
•
Spring 2005
Prof. Knowlton
Calculate changes in a system’s state variables using materials parameters such as heat capacity,
compressibility and others.
Course Content:
1. Definition of thermodynamic terms
2. The Laws of Thermodynamics
3. Thermodynamic Variables and Relations
4. Equilibrium in Thermodynamic Systems
5. Statistical Thermodynamics
6. Unary Heterogeneous Systems
7. Multicomponent, Homogeneous Nonreacting Systems: Solutions
8. Multicomponent Heterogeneous Systems
9. Thermodynamics of Phase Diagrams
Recommended Textbooks
1. Thermodynamics in Materials Science, Robert T. DeHoff, 1st Edition (McGraw-Hill, 1993)
2. Physical Chemistry, P. Atkins & J. de Paula, 7th Edition (Bedford, Freeman & Worth, 2002).
3. Thermodynamics of Materials, John B. Hudson, 1st Ed, (Wiley, 1996)
4. Principles of Physical Chemistry, L.M. Raff, 1st Ed., (Prentice Hall, 2001).
Information on: Academic Honesty and Dismissal & Student Code of Conduct
• Scientific Misconduct:
o
Troubling News
o
Final Report
Go to course website: http://coen.boisestate.edu/bknowlton/bill_knowltonBSU%20Course%20Info.htm
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Important information for non-degree seeking students: Boise State University policy requires that the
program of study leading to a master’s degree must include at least 30 total credits. In all cases, at least
two thirds of the total credit requirement must be earned at Boise State University since admission to the
program. All credit must be approved for application by the chair of the supervisory committee or the
advisor.
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