Weill Medical College of Cornell University · Courses
MSE
86 courses with the subject MSE, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
MSE 1140Materials: The Future of Energy3
New technologies are urgently needed to fulfill projected global energy requirements. Materials properties typically limit the performance that can be achieved in generation, transport, and utilization of energy. This course will explore how new materials can increase our energy supply, facilitate transportation of energy, and decrease consumption. Materials issues in photovoltaic, fuel cell, battery, transportation, lighting, and building technologies will be studied.
Biomaterials exist at the intersection of biology and engineering. This course explores natural structural materials in the human body, their properties and microstructure, and their synthetic and semi-synthetic replacements. Bones, joints, teeth, tendons, and ligaments are used as examples, with their metal, plastic, and ceramic replacements. Topics covered include mechanical properties, corrosion, toxicity, and biocompatibility. Case studies of design lead to consideration of regulatory approval requirements and legal liability issues.
MSE 1810Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction to Real-World Industry and Research1
Introduce students to industrial and research practices in materials science and engineering through the perspective of working professionals. Weekly seminars will focus on a sector of materials (polymers, metals, semiconductors, etc.) or applications (energy, sustainability, biomedical) with discussion of current challenges and opportunities. Former graduates in industry or national research labs will present each week on their current activities and the role of materials within their industry and specific job responsibilities. Students will have the opportunity to present a review of the topic and make a short presentation on a current topic of interest in materials science and engineering.
Provides an atomic and molecular understanding of materials properties from underlying fundamental chemistry and physics. Develops quantum mechanics for understanding chemical bonding, electronic band structure, and quantum electronic devices. Physical organic chemistry is expanded to include molecular orbitals and hybridization, reactivity, crystal/ligand field theory, sol-gel chemistry. Materials addressed span the full range of modern applications including polymers, biopolymers, inorganic and organic semiconductors, silicate glasses, optical materials, and nanoparticles.
MSE 2020Professional Skills: Design, Ethics, and Communication0.5
An introduction to professional skills as applied to materials science and engineering. Teams will practice design as systematized problem solving with a mixture of technical and non-technical constraints. Ethical considerations based on case studies will be discussed. Communication skills will be treated in the context of the variety of communication modes required for varying career paths in materials science and engineering.
MSE 2030Essential Thermodynamics of Material Systems1
An introduction to critical aspects of thermodynamics as applied to materials structure, processing and properties. Introduces concepts of enthalpy and Gibbs free energy for isothermal and isobaric environments, and physical intuition for understanding energy transfer and equilibrium. Introduction to the chemical potential and activities as metrics of thermodynamic equilibrium in complex systems, and as driving forces for chemical reactions and kinetic processes. Develops binary and ternary temperature-phase diagrams and the associated binary invariant reactions.
This course covers the atomic and molecular structure of crystalline and noncrystalline materials as well as selected analytical techniques for structural interrogation. Selected topics include, basic elements of structure; order and disorder; crystals; semicrystalline materials; amorphous materials; molecular materials; x-ray diffraction; small angle x-ray scattering.
Practical laboratory course covering the characterization of materials, analysis of data, and proper presentation of results. Labs are based on various structural, compositional, and property characterization techniques such as: X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy/scanning electron microscopy, spectroscopies, mechanical testing of structural materials, thermal testing of polymers, and electronic testing of functional materials. Comprehensive data analysis including statistical data analysis, curve fitting and experimental uncertainty is emphasized. Includes also the development of technical writing skills.
MSE 2610Mechanical Properties of Materials: From Nanodevices to Superstructures4
Examines the mechanical properties of materials (e.g., strength, stiffness, toughness, ductility) and their physical origins. Explores the relationship of the elastic, plastic, and fracture behavior to microscopic structure in metals, ceramics, polymers, and composite materials. Discusses effects of time and temperature on materials properties. Emphasizes considerations for design and optimal performance of materials and engineered objects.
MSE 2620Electronic Materials for the Information Age3
Examines the electrical and optical properties of materials. Topics include the mechanism of electrical conduction in metals, semiconductors and insulators; tuning of electrical properties in semiconductors, charge transport across metal/semiconductor and semiconductor/semiconductor junctions, and the interaction of materials with light; semiconductor electronic devices; and the materials science of device fabrication. Applications in microelectronics, solar cells, electronics, and display technologies are discussed. Semiweekly labs provide hands-on experience characterizing electronic materials and devices.
Introduces the three laws of thermodynamics as the fundamental basis for thermal and chemical equilibrium, coupled with statistical mechanical interpretations for entropy. Applies these principles to understand the equilibrium behavior of matter, with a focus on condensed liquid and solid phases. Develops concepts of phase equilibria, phase diagrams, chemical reactions, solution behavior and electrochemistry. Includes an introduction to statistical mechanics and applications in ideal gas behavior, gas and crystal heat capacity, and electron Fermi-Dirac statistics. Applications and examples will be drawn from a range of sub-disciplines spanning metallurgy to polymers.
MSE 3040Kinetics, Diffusion, and Phase Transformations3
Phenomenological and atomistic theories of diffusion in metals, alloys, ionic compounds, semiconductors and polymers. Introduction to general transport theory and non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Kinetic effects in solidification and solid state transformations that determine structure and properties of materials including: interfaces and microstructure; nucleation, growth and coarsening; alloy solidification; and diffusional and diffusionless transformations in solids.
MSE 3050Electronic, Magnetic, and Dielectric Properties of Materials4
Examines the electronic, magnetic, and dielectric properties of materials, including an understanding of the atomic level interactions that give rise to these properties. Topics include: use of tensors to describe equilibrium and transport macroscopic physical properties; connection between symmetry and properties; ferroelectrics, ferromagnets, and multiferroics; dispersion relations of phonons and electrons in solids; and effects of defects. Applications in microelectronics are discussed.
MSE 3070 is the initial course in the MSE multi-semester undergraduate design sequence emphasizing entrepreneurial driven materials-enabled design and prototyping through the understanding of early-stage product development complexities. Formed into small teams, students collaboratively ideate multiple innovative products. After the consideration of realistic design constraints, each team chooses one of the products they have ideated to advance towards feasibility. The team iterates the design of this product with particular attention to the suitability for prototyping and the potential market for the product. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for searching intellectual property and analyzing markets are applied; the effectiveness and reliability of these AI tools are also considered.
Practical laboratory covering the characterization of materials, analysis of data, and presentation of results. Labs are based on concepts from the chemistry of materials (MSE 3010) and thermodynamics of condensed systems (MSE 3030) courses. Experiments include calorimetry, spectroscopic characterization, nanoparticle growth, polymer OLED devices, and molecular origins of spectral data features. Comprehensive data analysis including statistical data analysis, curve fitting and experimental uncertainty is emphasized. Includes an introduction to formal technical writing.
Practical laboratory covering the characterization of material, analysis of data, and proper presentation of results. Labs are based on materials from courses in kinetics, diffusion and phase transformations (MSE 3040) and electronic, magnetic and dielectric properties (MSE 3050). Experiments include spectroscopic determination of a diffusion constants, thin film growth kinetics, anisotropic resistivity in polycrystalline materials, and characterization of magnetic properties. Data analysis is extended to include experimental design, use of custom model equations, and precision measurement techniques. Includes also continued development of technical writing skills.
MSE 4020Mechanical Properties of Materials, Processing, and Design3
Relationship between microscopic mechanisms and macroscopic mechanical behavior of engineering materials, how mechanical properties can be modified, and criteria for selection and use of materials in design. Stress, strain and elastic constants as tensor quantities, viscoelasticity and damping, plastic deformation, creep deformation, fracture, and fatigue.
Experiential learning course in which students participate in eitber a faculty or industry led, semester-long, team research project. Teams of three or four students research a topic, define research questions, design and conduct original research to answer the questions, and analyze their data. Group presentations and a final journal style paper required. In addition to developing research skills, students practice and develop communication/team skills, presentation skills, and technical writing skills.
First semester of a two-semester thesis course involving research in faculty laboratories. Students work alongside faculty, postdocs, and graduate students to conduct original materials research over both semesters, and present the results in conference-style talks, a poster, a written thesis, and a research paper. Lectures and discussion groups explore aspects of effective research including defining problems, proposal writing, searching and using the existing research literature, communicating technical results in progress reports, talks, posters and papers. Completion of both 4050 and 4060 is required to satisfy the senior laboratory requirement for graduation, and is required for graduation with honors.
Second semester of two-semester senior thesis sequence. See MSE 4050 for thesis project requirements. Continued research in individual faculty groups with periodic oral and written updates. In class discussion of communication strategies and development of presentation skills. Final thesis will be presented in a formal conference style with (i) oral presentation, (ii) poster session and (iii) conference manuscript. Completion of both 4050 and 4060 required to satisfy senior laboratory requirement for graduation, and is required for graduation with honors.
This course emphasizes the ideation stage of early-stage product development. Formed into small teams, students collaboratively ideate multiple innovative products. After the consideration of realistic design constraints, each team chooses one of the products they have ideated to advance towards feasibility. The team iterates the design of this product with particular attention to the suitability for prototyping and the potential market for the product. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for searching intellectual property and analyzing markets are applied; the effectiveness and reliability of these AI tools are also considered.
Transition course between the initial design course MSE 3070 and the capstone design course MSE 4070. Students develop a proposal to prototype a product design concept after an investigation of available resources and a quantitative feasibility analysis. The students write a brief summarizing the business value proposition of the product in the context of a startup; this brief is used to identify MBA students as mentors for the 4070 teams.
This course emphasizes the ideation stage of early-stage product development. Formed into small teams, students collaboratively ideate multiple innovative products. After the consideration of realistic design constraints, each team chooses one of the products they have ideated to advance towards feasibility. The team iterates the design of this product with particular attention to the suitability for prototyping and the potential market for the product. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for searching intellectual property and analyzing markets are applied; the effectiveness and reliability of these AI tools are also considered.
Fundamentals of metals and modern alloy systems. Characteristics of metals: metallic bonding, elemental metals, and phase formation. Microstructure of metals and alloys: structure, defects, phase stability, and diffusion. Processing: casting and thermomechanical treatments. Structure and performance of modern metallic alloy systems: ferrous and non-ferrous alloys, as well as specialty metals, including superalloys for high-temperature engine applications, shape memory alloys for biomedical applications, titanium for aerospace applications, and others.
MSE 4330Materials for Energy Production, Storage, and Conversion3
This course is concerned with materials and technologies related to energy production, storage, and conversion. The devices discussed include photovoltaics, power electronics, and batteries. Thermodynamic, kinetic, and electrochemical concepts and materials properties critical for such devices are emphasized.
How a material is made into its final form has great importance to its structure and therefore to its properties and performance. This course is aimed at giving students an understanding of the state-of-the-art material processing and manufacturing technologies as well as how these processes influence materials' microstructure and properties. With a unified approach this course will introduce the fundamentals of materials processing applied to metals, ceramics, and polymers. Different material processing routes from melt-based and powder-based processes to shape forming, joining, surface engineering and additive manufacturing will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on the physics of the process as well as on how the processes will influence the properties of emerging materials and applications.
MSE 4610Biomedical Materials and Their Applications3
Many types of materials are used in biomedical engineering to replace or supplement natural biological systems. Interaction with blood and tissues is always of primary importance, but depending on the use of the biomedical material, mechanical, optical, and transport properties may also be vital. The first half of the class will focus on establishing a common vocabulary and knowledge base in materials, biochemistry, cell biology, and immunology. The second half of the class will focus on a survey of commercially available biomaterials as well as future prospects.
MSE 4900Special Projects in Materials Science and Engineering1-3
Students engage in a mentored investigation or inquiry that aims to make a scholarly contribution to the field of Materials Science and Engineering. Students are mentored by Cornell faculty in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and may have additional mentors. Each credit hour requires, on average, 3 hours per week throughout the semester. To enroll, students should schedule a meeting with their mentor(s) to discuss the semester goals, requirements, and expectations associated with the research credit(s). Students must submit a Cornell Engineering Research for Credit Form (https://experience.cornell.edu/opportunities/cornell-engineering-research-credit). Upon approval, students are responsible for enrolling themselves with a permission number.
This course is a supplement to any, 2-credit or greater, materials-centric research involvement course within the university (typically Engineering or Arts and Sciences but open to any college). The combination of the research involvement course (for grade if offered) and this supplement will satisfy one of the materials application elective toward MSE graduation requirements. Submission of a 2-3 page research proposal detailing the expected outcomes of the involvement, approved by the research supervisor and course instructor, will be required prior to enrollment. Students will be expected to participate in both research group meetings with their mentors, and in a weekly (one hour) interdisciplinary research group meeting consisting of all students enrolled in this course. During these meetings, students will present ongoing research accomplishments to the diverse group, developing skills for technical communication across multiple audiences. Peer evaluations will be used to help students improve their presentation style. A final research report detailing the accomplishments over the semester will be required.
Gives credit to students who help in the laboratory portions of select MSE courses. The number of credits earned is determined by the teaching load and is typically 1-3.
Development of leadership skills and application to problem solving, forming and working on teams, project management, and networking. Development of graphical, verbal, and written communication skills. Effective technical project presentations. Professional portfolio development and marketing. Interpersonal skills and effective group behavior. Corporate, academic, and other cultures. Ethics in professional practice. Personal goal setting and progress metrics.
Master of Engineering research project. Integration of technical, teamwork, and leadership skills to achieve a specific technical project goal defined by a project sponsor. MSE 5010 is for students who intend to complete their project in a later semester. Accordingly, success in MSE 5010 will be measured by progress against defined project goals. Students planning to complete course requirements in the current term should take MSE 5011.
Master of Engineering research project. Integration of technical, teamwork, and leadership skills to achieve a specific technical project goal defined by a project sponsor. MSE 5011 is for students who intend to complete their project in the current semester. Accordingly, success in MSE 5011 will be measured by successful completion of all final project deliverables. Students planning to complete course requirements in a later term should take MSE 5010.
This course emphasizes entrepreneurial driven technology designs (forward engineering) by integrating mechanical, chemical, and materials engineering through the understanding of early stage product development complexities. These complexities include staging invention and innovation via the critical selection of materials, assessing product mechanics and processes for final product function, performance, reliability, cost and technical marketability. Students will attend lectures, participate in establishing a Tech Startup integrated into the Johnson School MBA mentoring program, attend startup design reviews, give a series of individual/group presentations, and write a startup issue paper.
Fundamentals of metals and modern alloy systems. Characteristics of metals: metallic bonding, elemental metals, and phase formation. Microstructure of metals and alloys: structure, defects, phase stability, and diffusion. Processing: casting and thermomechanical treatments. Structure and performance of modern metallic alloy systems: ferrous and nonferrous alloys, as well as specialty metals, including superalloys for high temperature engine applications, shape memory alloys for biomedical applications, titanium for aerospace applications, and others. Course co-meets with MSE 4100; graduate students in MSE 5100 will be required to complete additional homework and advanced exam questions.
Course provides a general introduction to this diverse field including synthetic and natural polymers for engineering applications. Covers structure, order, and dynamics integrating aspects of chemistry, physics, and engineering as needed to understand macromolecular materials. Relationships between structure and properties are elucidated from a materials science perspective. Examples from current literature are also discussed to expose students to the state-of-the-art in the field.
An introduction to general aspects of (i) structure, (ii) order and (iii) dynamics of soft materials /biomaterials. Typical representative materials discussed include polymers, thermo- and lyotropic liquid crystals, and gels. Following development of structural aspects of these materials, a general formalism for description of partially ordered systems in terms of orientation distribution functions will be introduced, including various techniques to measure these parameters. Finally, dynamics of soft materials will be discussed including transport and flow behavior, and aspects of the local dynamics. Structure, order and dynamic characterization techniques available at Cornell, such as NMR and x-ray scattering, will be emphasized.
Soft materials have unique properties, exploited widely by nature and industry. They are made from a variety of building blocks, including small molecules, macromolecules, and particles. These basic constituents can be arranged into a vast range of microstructures that determine their macroscopic material properties. This course will explore this broad material space, identify unifying scientific ideas, and explore practical strategies for their design. A top-down approach, which emphasizes their macroscopic behavior, will be combined with a bottom-up approach, that describes their microscopic structure and dynamics.
Advanced course covering synthesis of high molecular weight polymers and their structure-property tradeoffs. Introduction to basic physical characterization and the influence of molecular weight, molecular design and polymer architecture on properties and applications. Review of modern synthesis tools and strategies. Polymer families to be considered include: opto-electronic polymers, photopolymers, liquid crystal polymers, block polymers, biomimetic polymers, and common synthetic polymers. Synthesis tools include: step growth polymerization, chain growth polymerization, living polymerization and biosynthesis.
Covers ceramic processes and products, structure of ceramic crystals, structure of glasses, structural defects (point defects, dislocations), surfaces, interfaces and grain boundaries, diffusion in ionic materials (atomistic and phenomenological approach, relationships between diffusion and point defect structure), ceramic phase diagrams, phase transformations. Emphasizes physicochemical aspects of the different topics.
MSE 5320Glass: Structure, Properties and Modern Applications3
Course develops a foundational understanding of the glassy state and nature of the glass transition. Introduces phenomenology, chemistry and structure of key oxide glass families, with an emphasis on silicate glasses and the interaction of oxide components. Recent advances in glass relaxation and the implications of the statistical nature of glass structure are also discussed. Contemporary and emerging applications in optical communication, displays, and electronics packaging are explored within the context of key optical, mechanical and thermal properties. Students will gain an understanding of modern glass theory, familiarity with glass technology, and practical know-how of a glass power user.
MSE 5330Materials for Energy Production, Storage, and Conversion3
This course is concerned with materials and technologies related to energy production, storage, and conversion. The devices discussed include photovoltaics, power electronics, and batteries. Thermodynamic, kinetic, and electrochemical concepts and materials properties critical for such devices are emphasized.
MSE 5340Particulate Science and Engineering: Fundamentals and Applications3
This survey course is designed for senior undergraduates and graduate students in the fields of MSE, CBE, and MAE. Previous experience in particulate systems is not required. The course will focus on recent advances in particulate science and engineering (PSE) and its applications, which are relevant to particulate systems in various product applications. Lectures will draw from state-of-the-art research and industrial practice. Review of phenomenological modelling and numerical simulation methods focusing on discrete element method (DEM), and Finite Element Modelling (FEM). Students will participate in assigned group projects.
MSE 5410Nanofabrication and Characterization of Electronics3
This course will give an introduction to modern nanofabrication technologies with emphasis on integrated circuits manufacturing. Thermal budget, scaling of geometry, pitch and registry and control of parametric yield will be used for integration guidelines. Physical principles and process modeling will be covered in lectures and labs will include a series of fabrication steps of lithography, metallization, plasma etching and annealing to produce semiconductor devices (Schottky diodes, pn junction diodes, MOS capacitors, and MOSFETs). Recent advances in nanofabrication will be briefly reviewed for their possible technology insertion and main integration challenges.
MSE 5411Nanofabrication and Characterization of Electronics Laboratory1
This course provides an introduction to nanofabrication technologies with emphasis on Si-based integrated circuits manufacturing as well as modern electronics based on GaN, 2D materials etc. The lab, primarily taught in the Cornell Teaching Cleanroom, includes basic fabrication steps of lithography, metallization, plasma etching and annealing. A series of devices will be fabricated: solar cells, MOS capacitors and transistors, 2D transistors, GaN HEMTs and LEDs.
Provides a fundamental understanding of processing/structure/property relation in thin films, with an emphasis on behaviors that differ from those observed in classical bulk materials. Topics include vacuum technology, deposition techniques, surface energies, surface kinetics, nucleation and growth, homoepitaxy, heteroepitaxy, microstructure, stress in thin films, and electromigration. The course will impart a basic perspective on thin film synthesis and properties and will develop your ability to analyze materials issues and formulate solutions.
MSE 5435Organic Electronics: Materials and Processing3
Organic electronics plays a crucial role in creating flexible, wearable, and biocompatible devices. This course explores the physical and chemical principles of organic electronics, the development of organic electronic materials, and state-of-the-art fabrication techniques. Structure-property relationships of organic electronic materials will be introduced. Various organic electronic devices, including field-effect transistors, solar cells, light-emitting diodes, electrochemical transistors, and sensors will be discussed. The course will cover the applications of organic materials in flexible, stretchable, and bioelectronic devices.
MSE 5440Soap Bubbles, Snowflakes, and Steps: Interfacial and Surface Phenomena in Materials Science3
Surface and interface phenomena play a critical role in the processing and performance of advanced materials. Students and the instructor will identify topics of joint interest that build on the fundamentals of surfaces and interfaces contained in the core materials science curriculum (diffusion and growth, surface structure and energy, adhesion, etc.) and that address phenomena such as interfacial electronic states, gas adsorption at surfaces and surface forces in air and liquid. Course content will be organized collaboratively with necessary background provided in lectures and readings, and with students contributing oral presentations and student-led active learning exercises.
MSE 5445Semiconductor Electronic and Photonics Devices4
The class develops the fundamentals of semiconductor electronic and photonic devices that power to-day's computation, communication, and memory industries. It relates the basics of pn junctions to their applications in solar cells, light emitting diodes, and lasers. Majority and minority carrier transport in heterostructure bipolar transistors is related to gain and speed limits of amplifiers for 5G communications and beyond. Schottky diodes and their applications in power electronics, and in field effect transistors of many flavors ranging from Silicon CMOS and FinFETs to GaN high electron mobility transistors are covered. Tunneling transport, flash memory, and DRAM devices are discussed. The course uses industrially relevant simulation tools, and the laboratory component gives students firsthand experience of measuring and appreciating the power and the limitations of semiconductor devices, and the reason for their revolutionary influence on our lives and society. MEng students and ECE PhD students who enroll in the 5000 level will be required to complete one extra design laboratory project compared to the 4000 level class.
MSE 5520Advanced Topics in Metal Additive Manufacturing3
This course delves into three distinct categories of metal additive manufacturing processes, each governed by unique principles: solidification-based techniques, sintering-dependent methods, and solid-state bonding processes. Students will explore the intricacies of powder bed fusion and direct energy deposition, where solidification mechanisms play a pivotal role in controlling microstructure formation. The course will provide a comprehensive understanding of how factors such as heat transfer, cooling rates, and alloy composition influence solidification behavior in these processes. Additionally, students will examine indirect metal printing methods, including extrusion, stereolithography, and binder jetting, which rely on sintering to fuse metal powders together. Detailed discussions will cover the sintering process, its underlying mechanisms, and its impact on the final properties of printed parts. Furthermore, the course will delve into metal additive manufacturing processes based on solid-state bonding, such as cold spray and sheet lamination. Students will explore the principles of solid-state bonding, including diffusion bonding and mechanical interlocking, and understand how these processes are applied to join metal powders/sheets without melting. Throughout the course, major alloys commonly used in metal additive manufacturing, such as Ni-based alloys, titanium alloys, steels, and aluminum alloys, will be discussed. Common defects encountered in metal printing technologies, post-processing steps for defect removal, and in situ monitoring techniques for defect mitigation will also be covered, ensuring students gain a comprehensive understanding of quality assurance in metal AM.
MSE 5530Materials Design and Processing for Industry3
Examine the fundamental theories of materials processes and manufacturing techniques, focusing on relevant process-structure-property relationships. Design processing routes and perform materials selection for desired properties and performance based on specific product requirements. Explore processing and design through several real-world case studies, presented by industry guests.
This course will explore the history, technologies, materials, and applications of additive manufacturing in fields ranging from mechanical engineering and composites, to complex data visualization and product design. A unique aspect of this course is that a large percentage of the presented topics will be directly dictated by the current research interests of the enrolled students. Upon completion of the course, the students will have gained a comprehensive understanding of different 3D printing technologies, understand the material properties of different polymer classes, and be able to select appropriate polymeric materials for specific 3D printing applications in the engineering, biological, and product design fields. As a class, the students will also compile a set of design rules for optimizing 3D printability, performance, and surface finish for each 3D printing technology, and be able to apply these rules for the production of press and snap-fit assemblies, functional multicomponent mechanisms, multi-phase composites, and other physical constructs.
MSE 5620Biomineralization: The Formation and Properties of Inorganic Biomaterials3
This course will examine the wide variety of mineralized materials made by biological organisms including mollusk shells, sea urchins, mammalian bone and teeth, siliaceous sponges and diatoms, and magnetotactic bacteria. The focus will be on the molecular and biological mechanisms that lead to the formation of these materials as well as their unique mechanical, optical and optical properties.
This course will describe how biomolecules cooperate to assembly structures, build material, and process information. We will start by discussing stoichiometric assembly macromolecular complexes. Then, we'll discuss how biomolecules assemble to make 1D, 2D and 3D materials. These include, cytoskeletal filaments, phospholipid bilayers, and biomolecular condensates. Finally, we'll discuss how cells use these phenomena for control (regulation) and computation.
MSE 5710Analytical Techniques for Material Science3
This course will teach the fundamental theories, collection methods, and analyses of modern materials characterization techniques, with the aim of examining the macro, micro, and surface composition and structure of various classes of materials. There is no one perfect tool that will provide all the information a researcher might wish to know about their sample; in this class, learn to select the appropriate analytical technique given the research goals and the tool’s limitations. While it is not the goal of this course to train students as hands on users of particular instruments, students will have the opportunity to interact with several pieces of equipment and analyze data/images from many more. Examples of techniques to be covered include: diffraction, microscopies, spectroscopies, thermal analyses, etc. This course will focus solid state materials with limited application to biological and liquid materials.
This course provides students with an introduction to state-of-the-art computational methods in materials research with an emphasis on the atomic-scale and hands-on modeling using supercomputers. The course will focus primarily on first- principles quantum mechanical techniques (Density Functional Theory) for modeling extended (periodic) materials and properties, including electronic structure, vibrational properties, elastic properties, defects, surfaces, and interfaces. An important aspect of the course is the ‘hands-on’ lab component, in which students learn to set up, run and analyze the results of their calculations in a real high-performance computing environment as part of four project- based, multi-week homework assignments. Familiarity with the Schrödinger equation and basic quantum mechanics would be useful. Familiarity with a programming and/or scripting language would be helpful but not required.
MSE 5730Probability, Statistics, and Data Analysis for the Physical Sciences3
Statistical analysis of experimental data and processes, and the design of experiments are increasingly critical in both research and industrial environments. The course will review the fundamentals of probability and statistics, common probability distribution functions, data analysis and model parameter estimation, including characterization of sources of error and uncertainty, least-squares fitting, parameter correlation, as well as formal design of experiments (DOE) methodology.
MSE 5740Fundamentals and Applications of Electrochemistry3
This course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding on the role of electrochemistry in materials processing and energy storage. Topics include fundamental electrochemical equilibria and kinetics, electro-synthesis and electrochemical processing of materials, corrosion and degradation in aqueous and non-aqueous systems, and concepts of electrochemical energy storage, including examples from batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, and photoelectrochemistry. Emphasis will be placed on the fundamental governing principles and modern examples in literature. Analytical and diagnostic tools will be reviewed, including concepts of surface/interface spectroscopy and electrochemical characterizations.
MSE 5750Artificial Intelligence: Concepts and Applications3
Course provides a general overview of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) concepts and techniques most relevant to materials science and engineering. Starting with a brief introduction to the history of AI in the 20th century and its many definitions, students will be introduced to some of the most commonly used techniques, including (but not limited to): neural nets, supervised and unsupervised learning, Gaussian processes, decision trees and Large Language Models (LLMs). Understanding will be developed by considering a series of case studies from the materials science literature, which showcase applications of these techniques. The course will also cover explainable AI (xAI) and its role in scientific discovery, and ethical issues related to the use of some AI techniques. Students requiring in-depth, highly technical explanations of AI techniques are directed to the relevant courses in the Computer Science department.
MSE 5801Materials Structure and Electronic Properties3
Course is intended for first year graduate students in MSE, or graduate students in other fields, needing a solid foundation in structural and electronic properties for advanced study/research in materials. Atomic and molecular structure of crystalline, molecular, semicrystalline, and amorphous materials including: crystallography and symmetry; reciprocal lattice; order and disorder; point defects. Diffraction techniques for structural characterization: Bragg's Law, structure factors; thin film and size broadening; Debye scattering; symmetry breaking. Use of tensors to describe macroscopic physical properties and connections between symmetry and properties. Electrical properties of materials including: mechanisms of conduction; band structure and correlation with crystallography; modification of electrical properties in materials; charge transport across interfaces and semiconductor junctions; interaction of materials with light; fundamental semiconductor electronic devices (e.g. diodes, MOSFETS).
MSE 5802Materials Structure and Mechanical Properties3
Course is intended for first year graduate students in MSE, or graduate students in other fields, needing a solid foundation in the relationships between structure and mechanical properties in materials for advanced study and research. Microscopic structure of crystalline, molecular, amorphous and ordered non-crystalline solids, including point, line, and planar defects, twinning, and martensitic and pressure induced phase transformations. Mechanical properties of materials including: Use of tensors to describe stress, strain, and elastic constants, time-dependent elastic (anelastic) and plastic (creep) behavior, viscoelasticity, strengthening mechanisms, ductility, and toughness. Macroscopic mechanical properties are described in terms of atom-level mechanisms of elasticity, plasticity, and fracture.
MSE 5820Mechanical Properties of Materials, Processing, and Design3
Relationship between microscopic mechanisms and macroscopic mechanical behavior of engineering materials, how mechanical properties can be modified, and criteria for selection and use of materials in design. Stress, strain and elastic constants as tensor quantities, viscoelasticity and damping, plastic deformation, creep deformation, fracture, and fatigue.
Introduces the three laws of thermodynamics as the fundamental basis for thermal and chemical equilibrium, coupled with statistical mechanical interpretations for entropy. Applies these principles to understand the equilibrium behavior of matter, with a focus on condensed liquid and solid phases. Develops concepts of phase equilibria, phase diagrams, chemical reactions, solution behavior and electrochemistry. Includes an introduction to statistical mechanics and applications in ideal gas behavior, gas and crystal heat capacity, and electron Fermi-Dirac statistics. Applications and examples will be drawn from a range of sub-disciplines spanning metallurgy to polymers. Extended assignments and independent study of advanced concepts required.
MSE 5840Kinetics, Diffusion, and Phase Transformation3
Phenomenological and atomistic theories of diffusion in metals, alloys, ionic compounds, semiconductors and polymers. Introduction to general transport theory and non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Kinetic effects in solidification and solid state transformations that determine structure and properties of materials including: interfaces and microstructure; nucleation, growth and coarsening; alloy solidification; and diffusional and diffusionless transformations in solids.
MSE 5850Electronic, Magnetic, and Dielectric Properties of Materials4
Examines the electronic, magnetic, and dielectric properties of materials, including an understanding of the atomic level interactions that give rise to these properties. Topics include: use of tensors to describe equilibrium and transport macroscopic physical properties; connection between symmetry and properties; ferroelectrics, ferromagnets, and multiferroics; dispersion relations of phonons and electrons in solids; and effects of defects. Applications in microelectronics are discussed.
Chemistry of materials with an emphasis on concepts of general applicability and modern developments in the materials field. The transition from atoms to molecules is developed by applying group theoretical approaches to chemical bonding, from molecules to materials by applying thermodynamic principles to self-assembly, and then to underpin these transitions with examples from the chemistry of low dimensional nanomaterials, sol-gel derived materials, surfactant and block copolymer self-assembly, mesoporous solids, and hierarchical materials. Throughout the course, examples from the current literature are discussed to familiarize students with the state-of-the-art in the field.
This course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding on the concepts of statistical thermodynamics in materials science and engineering. Topics include fundamental statistical thermodynamics concepts such as ensembles, partition functions, distribution functions, free energies, and applications in gases, vibrations, electrons, phase transitions, alloys, surfaces, and defects. Emphasis will be placed on the fundamental governing principles and their applications to phenomena in materials.
MSE 6040Kinetics of Reactions in Condensed Matter3
This class covers the fundamental of kinetics in material with the focus on the microstructure. We will discuss the motion of atoms and molecules by diffusion, motion of dislocations and interfaces, morphological evolution due to capillary and applied mechanical forces, and phase transformations. This course if intended for graduate students.
MSE 6050Physics of Semiconductors and Nanostructures4
Covers basic solid state and semiconductor physics relevant for understanding electronic and optical devices. Topics include crystalline structures, bonding in atoms and solids, energy bands in solids, electron statistics and dynamics in energy bands, effective mass equation, carrier transport in solids, Boltzmann transport equation, semiconductor homo- and hetero-junctions, optical processes in semiconductors, electronic and optical properties of semiconductor nanostructures, semiconductor quantum wells, wires, and dots, electron transport in reduced dimensions, semiconductor lasers and optoelectronics, high-frequency response of electrons in solids and plasmons.
This course provides an advanced understanding of the atomic structure of materials and how this structure is determined (characterization methods). Descriptions of structure in crystals, liquid, and amorphous solids/glasses. Short- and long-range order, microstructures, nanostructures. Brief review of fundamental aspects of bonding, lattices, quasicrystals, and x-ray scattering. The majority of the course is centered on techniques, such as diffraction methods, pair distribution (PDF/RDF), XPS, EELS, XANES, and EXAFS. Examples of application may include polymer structure, nanoparticles, nano-composite structures, surfaces, interfaces in semiconductors, structure of photonic materials, and biological materials. The morphology of crystals will be covered through the Wulff net and nanoparticle shape control. Articles by leaders within the fields of materials science, chemistry, and physics make up a large portion of the class.
MSE 6160Advanced Crystallography: Symmetry, Order, and Complexity in Materials3
This course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of crystal structures and their properties across length scales-from atomic to mesoscale structures-and across classes of materials (e.g., metals, oxides, polymer micelles, nanoparticles). After a quick review of crystallographic symmetry and notation, the course will follow an integrated approach, covering different crystal structure types and materials classes in a case-study-like manner, and the consequences of chemical and structural properties of the building blocks and emerging ordered structures. In the context of each class of structure types, the following aspects will be discussed: crystallographic nomenclature (symmetry groups), crystal structure geometry and topology (bond angles, coordination polyhedra, nets), types of order and disorder motifs (unit cells, modulations, stochasticity), crystal-chemical interpretation and chemical bonding (interactions between particles and resulting structural motifs), phase diagram context (phase stability, surrounding phases), structure-based properties (electric, mechanical, photonic, etc.). Topics include typical crystal structures in metals, oxides, ionic compounds, mesoscale systems, as well as complex periodic structures, aperiodic structures, non-periodic structures.
Covers introductory concepts in tissue engineering, including polymeric biomaterials used for scaffolds, mechanisms of cellbiomaterial interaction, biocompatibility and foreign body response, cell engineering, and tissue biomechanics. This knowledge is applied to engineering of several bodysystems, including the musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular tissues, the nervous system, and artificial organs. These topics are discussed in the context of scale-up, manufacturing, and regulatory issues.
Graduate-level introduction to coherent x-ray scattering and imaging in the context of nanoscale phenomena in metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites. The course focuses on in-situ x-ray characterization of functional materials through using the ability of novel x-ray sources to generate laser-like x-ray beams. Novel sources include recently build or upgraded x-ray synchrotrons (e.g., CHESS), table-top soft x-ray lasers, and x-ray free-electron lasers. Specific topics include coherence of x-ray beams, coherent x-ray imaging, x-ray cross correlation spectroscopy, resonant x-ray diffraction, in-situ x-ray characterization, ultrafast x-ray measurements, and the overview of existing x-ray sources and x-ray focusing techniques.
This course develops fundamental communication, coaching, mentorship and leadership skills for PhD students. It is designed specifically for PhD mentors in the Ezra's Bridge program; however, the course is appropriate for all PhD students who wish to be more effective lab members and leaders.
MSE 8005Principles and Practices of Graduate Research1
A series of discussion-based workshops that help incoming PhD students in materials science and engineering form a cohort and succeed in their first year and beyond. Professional development topics include strategies for: matching and communicating with a research advisor, preparing and practicing for the PhD qualifying exam, transitioning from undergraduate study to graduate study, navigating professional responsibilities, persuasive writing for fellowship and funding applications, career planning and goal setting with individual development plans, and communicating professionally with elevator pitches. Qualifying exam and fellowship preparation create a framework for building personal and professional connections with other students.
MSE 8010Materials Science and Engineering Colloquium0.5
Lectures by visiting scientists, Cornell staff members, and graduate students on subjects of interest in materials sciences, especially in connection with new research.
