Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College · Courses
MATSE
103 courses with the subject MATSE, 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.
MATSE 101Energy and the Environment3
Energy utilization and technological development, energy resources, conversion and consequences on the local and global environment, and future energy alternatives. EGEE (MATSC) 101 Energy and the Environment (3) (GN)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. Energy is the life-blood of any society. The information and principles learnt in this course will allow the students to make sound judgments in the area of personal energy choices; There is increasing concern about the influence of human activities, particularly energy use, on global climate change. This has an impact on global business aspects. Students in all walks of life need to be exposed to the basic concepts to appreciate the positions of policymakers, scientists, and industry over the interrelationship between greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. The students will acquire knowledge, which will enable them to critically evaluate any energy- related concerns of the society. This is important for any college graduat for responsible citizenship and stewardship. The main objectives of this course are to: provide basic understanding and appreciation of energy and environmental concepts and interconnectedness; analyze energy consumption patterns; discuss various energy resources that power the modern society; examine the energy conversion processes; explore interrelationships between energy use and industrial progress and environmental consequences; discuss future energy alternatives. Student performance will be evaluated continuously through homework assignments, exams, group activities, class participation and a final examination. Position papers or term papers may be used in lieu of homework assignments in some sections. This course is a stand-alone General Education course. Cross-listed with: EGEE 101 Bachelor of Arts: Natural Sciences General Education: Natural Sciences (GN) GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think GenEd Learning Objective: Key Literacies
MATSE 112Applied Materials Chemistry for Engineers3
The goal of this course is to instruct students on how to apply the basic tenants of chemistry towards materials used for a variety of engineering e applications as well as to provide an introduction to many of the core concepts of materials science and engineering. The course will begin with an in depth look at the fundamental intermolecular forces that pervade atoms, molecules, ions and dense materials and underlie the observed properties of materials with respect to environment. The course will then continue on to discuss crystal chemistry to teach students how to determine and interpret Miller indices and crystal structures as well as to express the relations between structure and material properties. Thermodynamics and kinetics are then discusses with regard to reactions within inorganic chemistry and properties of inorganic materials with an emphasis on theoretical calculation and understanding of important concepts such as the Gibbs free energy and Fick's laws. The course will then cover electrochemistry, focusing on the fundamentals and relation to battery development and corrosion prevention before concluding with an overview of materials synthesis processing involving many of the previously addressed concepts. General Education: Natural Sciences (GN) GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think GenEd Learning Objective: Integrative Thinking
Concepts of relationships between structure and thermal, optical, magnetic, electrical, and mechanical properties of metals, ceramics, glasses, and polymers.
The materials science of organic or soft materials with an emphasis on synthetic and natural polymer. MATSE 202 Introduction to Polymer Materials (3) Materials made from many types of natural organic e materials, (cotton, wool, hemp, leather, etc.) have been with us throughout recorded history and have played crucial roles in the rise of civilizations and the economies of tribes and nations. Over the course of the last 100 years or so the development of synthetic organic materials, particularly polymers, has transformed the way we live. Modern transportation systems, much of contemporary medicine and the entire electronics
This course is a 3 credit general education course in technical writing, for undergraduates majoring in Materials Science and Engineering. In it, students will learn how to develop a variety of documents which they will be expected to write during the course of their college and professional careers, including technical/lab reports, posters, fellowship and internship applications, job search documents, progress reports, and formal and informal communications. Other topics would include ethics, literature surveys, critical evaluation of sources, citing of references, an proper data presentation. Embedded within each of these topics and document types will be instruction in the writing process, identifying and assessing your audience, organizing documents, adopting a professional style, learning active and passive voices, and using review and editing techniques. 3rd Semester or above General Education: Writing/Speaking (GWS) GenEd Learning Objective: Effective Communication GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think
ENGL 15 or ENGL 30H or ( ENGL 137H and ENGL 138T ) and
MATSE 219Introduction to Materials Informatics3
The proposed course has 5 modules. In the first module, the concepts of materials informatics are presented through spreadsheet software (e.g., Microsoft Excel) to enable the students practice with the content in a familiar environment. In the second module, computer programming is introduced (e.g., Python) and students learn to replicate tasks from Module 1 using this new tool. In the third module, various flavors of regression are introduced to model materials data, with special emphasis on ways that materials data is different from other data domains. In the fourth module, students learn to access publicly available materials data such as from published literature and online databases using simple APIs. In the final module, the concepts are linked to design and analysis Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 4511 of materials experiments including factorial design of experiments, outlier detection, and hypothesis testing. The overall intention is to provide students with basic skills in analyzing, modeling, and visualizing materials data using a programming language in preparation for the subsequent MATSE 419: Computational Materials Science and Engineering.
MATSE 201, MATSE 202, MATH 220, MATH 231, MATH 251
MATSE 401Thermodynamics of Materials3
The course starts with the first law of thermodynamics and its d applications to the calculations of heat involved in various materials processes such as chemical reactions and phase transformations. Second law of thermodynamics and the concept of entropy are then introduced. The application of maximum work theorem to engine efficiency is briefly discussed. Various thermodynamic potentials are defined to determine the equilibrium of a system under various thermodynamic conditions, with an emphasis on the Gibbs free energy functions at constant temperature and pressure conditions. The relationships among thermodynamic properties are derived using the Maxwell relations. Phase diagrams of single-component systems are constructed from the Gibbs free energy function, and the Clapeyron equation is applied to describe the phase boundaries. Applications of thermodynamics to the determination of chemical equilibrium and to the calculation of the voltages of electrochemical reactions are also discussed. The last part of the course is focused on the solution thermodynamics and its application to binary phase-diagrams. and MATH 252))
Describe properties of materials and composites and their in vivo interactions. BME 443 (MATSE 403) Biomedical Materials (3) Metals, polymers, and ceramics, and their composites, which are capable of emulating the functions of hard and soft tissues, are the subjects of this course.The subject matter shall be confined to implanted materials; external appliances, such as casts, braces, etc are not considered The topical content of this course will be grouped into four areas. A general introduction to selected aspects of physiology will be presented. This will provide the background necessary to appreciate the factors which govern the selection of biomedical materials. Specific emphases will be placed on polymerization of biopolymers (polypeptides and polysaccharides) and the general relationships between conformation and biological function, the biochemistry of blood and blood surface interactions, the formation of teeth and bone and the relationships between microstructure, composition and function, the immune responses to implanted materials, the resorption of bone (osteoporosis) and the development of caries. The perspective placed on these topics will be that of materials science. 'The selection of ceramics for hard tissue prosthesis will be discussed. Orthopaedic and dental applications for ceramics will be discussed. Specific ceramic materials to be treated include dental porcelain, alumina- and zirconia-based ceramics, and bioglasses and pyrolytic carbons. Various classes of inorganic cements, gypsum, zinc phosphates, zinc carboxylates, silicates, and glassionomer cements will also be considered as ceramics. Hydroxyapatite, Hap-based composites and Hap-metal interactions will be discussed in particular Relationships among physical properties, mechanical properties, and chemical interactions with biological fluids will be described. Dental and orthopedic applications of metals will be described. The fracture toughness of metals, their electrochemical responses in vivo, and the nature of the interfacial interactions with hard tissues will be treated Dental amalgams and the noble metals for dental applications will be considered. Metals and alloys, such as Ti, Co-Cr, and vitallium, used in prosthetic applications, will be described and their properties and limitations discussed The phenomenon of stress shielding and the immune responses associated with the accumulation of metallic and polymeric particular debris in the vicinity of an implant will be discussed in particular Polymeric materials are important in a broad range of biomedical applications. Among these are soft tissue prostheses, hemostatic agents, dental restoratives, bone replacement materials, and surgical adhesives. In some applications it is desirable that a polymeric material biodegrade while in others property retention is desirable. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: (MATSE 201 or CHEM 112) and (MATH 230 or MATH 231) Cross-listed with: BME 443
MATSE 404Surfaces and the Biological Response to Materials3
Focus is on special properties of surface as an important causative and mediating agent in the biological response to materials. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: CHEM 112 or MATSE 112 Cross-listed with: BME 444
Nuclear reactor materials: relationship between changes in material properties and microstructural evolution of nuclear cladding and fuel under irradiation. NUC E (MATSE) 409 Nuclear Materials (3) NUC E/ MATSE 409 provides a background on the types of materials used in nuclear reactors and their response to neutron irradiation. Most of the materials problems encountered in the operation of nuclear power reactors for energy production are discussed here. The objective of the course is to give nuclear engineering students a background in materials, so they understand the limitations put on reactor operations and reactor design by materials performance. In the first part of the course, we review basic concepts of physical metallurgy, to develop a mechanistic and microstructurally based view of material properties. In the second part of the course, we present the methods to calculate displacement damage to the material produced by exposure to neutron irradiation. The microstructural evolution that results from the reactor exposure (including radiation damage and defect cluster evolution, and changes) is described. The aim is to create a linkage between these changes at the atomistic level and the changes in macroscopic behavior of the material. Special attention is given to property changes that affect fuel performance and operational safety. Both mathematical methods and experimental techniques are emphasized so that theoretical modeling is instructed by experimental data. Students use the TRIM and SPECTER codes to quantitatively evaluate neutron damage, as well as learn simple analytical models that describe microstructural evolution and property changes under irradiation. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: PHYS 214 Cross-listed with: NUCE 409
Phase rule; construction and interpretations of equilibrium diagrams; importance of nonequilibrium in materials. MATSE 410 Phase Relations in Materials Systems (3) This course integrates three core components of materials science and engineering: thermodynamics, kinetics, and interface crystallography in understanding processing and development of inorganic materials. It is the key course bridging the fundamentals to practical materials processing. Phase equilibria, phase diagrams, phase transformations and heat treatments are addressed in great details through nucleation, transformation kinetics, crystal interface and diffusion. The complexity of materials is discussed in hierarchy from pure elements, binaries, ternaries to multicomponents.
Principles of ceramic processing, including powder preparation and characterization, forming operations, and the basic phenomena underlying these operations. MATSE 411 Processing of Ceramics (3) This course covers the scientific and engineering principles of manufacturing of ceramic products. The course covers powder synthesis and characterization; surface and colloid chemistry; fabrication; and densification by sintering. There is an emphasis on the physical chemistry of particulate systems as relates to the various stages processing. The course is offered every fall semester and is required for
Generation of high temperatures, measurement of temperature, heat transfer and furnace design, thermal stability of ceramic materials, applied thermodynamics. MATSE 412 Thermal Properties of Materials (3) The fundamentals of achieving, measuring, and controlling high temperature for materials processing are addressed. The crystal physics underlying heat capacity, internal energy, phonon and photon conduction, and thermal expansion is used to rationalize the behavior of a wide variety of ceramic and metallic materials in severe thermal environments. Micro- and macroscopic thermal transport, thermal shock and fatigue behavior, and thermochemical durability are addressed insofar as their impact on the design of, and with, high performance materials in thermostructural applications. Case studies on materials selection and design using the fundamentals of inorganic crystal chemistry, physics, thermodynamics, kinetics, elastic, and mechanical properties are widely employed. Students interested in disciplines such as metallurgy, ceramic science, electronic and photonic materials, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, industrial engineering, engineering science, and chemical engineering will benefit significantly from this course.
The main course objective is to provide sufficient background for the understanding of fundamental phenomena in solid state materials. Mathematical description of periodic arrays and the concept of reciprocal space are introduced, lattice vibrations are discussed. An introduction to quantum mechanics is given and the solution of the stationary Schrödinger Equation for various problems relevant in nanostructured materials is presented. A semi-quantitative approach is taken how the electronic structure of isolated atoms is changed as they bond and form molecules and solids. Emphasis is placed how such bonding influences whether the resulting material will be a metal, an insulator or a semiconductor. The goal is to master the modern framework in solid state materials that describes materials phenomena at an atomic level, such as electronic band structure and electronic transport, the vibrational properties of solid state materials and to prepare the audience for higher level quantum mechanical problems.
MATSE 201 and MATH 220 and ( MATH 231 or MATH 230 )
MATSE 415Introduction to Glass Science3
Composition, melting, fabrication, properties, and uses of glass; combinations of glass with metals and other materials. MATSE Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 4513 415MATSE 415 Introduction to Glass Science (3) This course aims to explain the unique characteristics of the glassy state, and to describe their role in the processing, application, and engineering performance of amorphous materials and glass products. The course teaches fundamental concepts of amorphous structure, and then utilizes them to establish structure-property relations in various glass systems. The viscosity, thermal expansion, chemical durability, strength behavior, and optical properties of silicate-based glasses are emphasized, although the important properties of phosphate, halide, and chalcogenide glasses are not overlooked. Also included are phenomenological descriptions of glass formation, liquid-liquid immiscibility, viscous flow, structural relaxation, stress relaxation, and crystallization in glass. Various methods for the synthesis of glass are reviewed (melting, CVD, and sol/gel), along with important manufacturing processes for commercial glass products. Throughout the course, the applications of glass and glass components in electronics, photonics, biomedicine, transportation, and energy are described to rationalize the use of glass (i.e., the materials selection), the specific glass composition, and the associated processing method.
MATSE 419Computational Materials Science and Engineering3
Introduction to computational material science and engineering. Overview of the computational methods for materials, from atomistic to the continuum scale. MATSE 419 Computational Materials Science and Engineering (3) Modeling is a critically important tool in the field of materials. This course is designed to inform students about all areas of materials modeling, and to explore the use of modeling in different research areas. This is a hands-on undergraduate level course, mandatory for all MATSE students, covering current methods for modeling soft and hard matter, at the atomistic, meso and continuum scale levels. It consists of an overview of individual techniques of modeling from atomistic molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo, coarse-grained molecular dynamics, and multiscale modeling, to the continuum (e.g. SAFT, CALPHAD). It also includes a computer laboratory component with hands-on exercises. At the conclusion of the course, students will understand the physical basis and basic procedures of each technique. Students will be able to understand the general literature in modeling and its connection with experimental work, as well as to communicate with experts in the field. From the laboratory practices, they will learn how the
Physico-chemical aspects of high temperature extraction and processing of metals and alloys. Design and evaluation of processes and process options. MATSE 422 MATSE 422 Thermochemical Processing (3) An important goal of materials engineering is to efficiently produce metals and alloys of specific composition. Familiar examples include the tonnage production of metals and alloys, the production of ultra high purity electronic materials such as silicon and germanium, and the deposition of thin films for various applications. In this course the students get an understanding of the physical and chemical principles underlying these operations and how these principles are applied in industrial practice. The students get ample opportunities to apply thermodynamics, kinetics, and transport phenomena to understand why the processes currently in use work. Furthermore, they learn how to marshal information for the design of projected new processes and process options. Broadly stated, the topics include solid-state reactions, production of liquid metals, and processing, all carried out at high temperatures. The topics are covered in a set of lecture notes available from the instructor. The lectures are accompanied by about fifteen problems sets in the form of home work and class work so that the students experience first-hand how the principles of thermodynamics and rate processes are applied in solving important problems in thermochemical processing.
A study of the chemical and engineering principles pertinent to metal processing in aqueous systems: hydrometallurgical extraction, plating, materials preparation. MATSE (MN PR) 426 Aqueous Processing (3) This 3-credit course deals with the chemical and engineering principles underlying the aqueous processing of metals: metal extraction from primary and secondary sources, electroplating, and metal finishing, powder synthesis, energy storage and conversion, and treatment of recycling of metal-containing toxic wastes.1. Physico-Chemical Principles - Thermodynamic, chemical kinetic and transport factors which control hydrochemical processes (leaching; precipitation; adsorption; solvent extraction; ion exchange; electrowinning, electrorefining and electroplating; membrane processes; energy storage and conversion); graphical representation of homogeneous and solid/solution equilibria; chemical reagents.2. Engineering Principles - Reactor design and staged operations; ideal batch, continuous stirred-tank and plug-flow reactors; fluidized bed reactors; electrochemical reactors; multistage separation processes (solid-liquid, liquid-liquid, and gas-liquid systems).3. Process Synthesis - Design of metal separation (extraction, refining, waste treatment) materials synthesis, metal finishing, and energy storage/conversion processes and system-integration of unit operations, industrial practice. Emphasis on closing circuits to minimize or eliminate waste effluents. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: EME 301 or MATSE 401 Cross-listed with: MNPR 426
MATSE 427Microstructure Design of Structural Materials3
The focus of this course is on understanding the microstructure development and design of structural ferrous metals. The course will begin with understanding the basic physical metallurgy concepts of ferrous metals and applying these principles to understanding their processing/structure/property relationships. Specifically, the alloying principles, phase transformation behavior, and transformation kinetics steels will be considered in detail. Heat treatment practices (annealing,
The focus of this course is to understand the phases, microstructures, and mechanical properties of non ferrous structural metals; specifically the alloys of aluminum, titanium, nickel, and copper. The alloying principles, phase transformation behavior, and transformation kinetics for each metal system will be considered in detail. Heat treatment practices (annealing, normalizing, tempering, aging, and precipitation hardening) and their effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties of each of these metals will also be studied. Corrosion resistance, weldability, and sustainability will also be considered for the alloy systems.
This course provides a broad exploration of polymer material recycling and concepts of sustainable plastics. In particular, course provides an overview of polymeric material recycling and sustainability concepts. The components for the class are arranged as: (1) general overview of plastics and size/economics of the industry, (2) historical aspects on recycling of plastics, (3) environmental costs/savings with plastic use, (4) economics of plastics versus alternative materials, (5) mechanical recycling flaws, (6) environmental degradation and contamination, (7) "new" concepts of advanced recycling, (8) ocean plastics: where and how?, (9) microplastics: sources and impacts. knowledge in polymer chemistry and materials will be useful for students. Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 4515
Fundamental relationships between structure and mechanical behavior of materials. MATSE 436 Mechanical Properties of Materials (3) The topics covered in this course are essential to students in the Materials Science and Engineering options, and these are also required for materials engineering courses nationally accredited by the professional societies. The course is taught at the 400 level because it requires the fundamental courses in mathematics and physics to be completed. The course also requires completion of an introductory course in materials science. This new course typically fits into the junior or senior year, when students in the major are understanding how the properties of materials can be changed by controlling the structure of materials. The course has also been designed such that students in other engineering majors can take this course as a technical elective. Some of the information in this course is used in laboratory courses for the major. The course is not required as a prerequisite for other courses. MATH 220 and ( MATH 231 or MATH 230 ) and MATH 251 and PHYS 211
l Methods and limitations of nondestructive evaluation of mechanical flaws; optical, acoustical, electromagnetic, x-ray, radiography, thermography, and dye techniques. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: EMCH 213 or EMCH 210H or EMCH 210 Cross-listed with: EMCH 440
This 3-credit course focuses on about 50 commercially most important polymers together with the discussion of synthesis routes, industrial production processes, processing methods, physical and chemical properties, and applications. They are classified into 10 families of polymeric materials, which are taught along with introduction of polymeric materials and synthesis of polymers in the beginning of the class. or MATH 230 )
MATSE 449Fundamentals of Composite Materials Science and
Engineering covers the fundamental science and engineering of multicomponent materials, with special emphasis on Polymer Matrix Composites. Topics include the design, materials selection, interfaces/ interphases, processing, life cycle analysis (of environmental impacts), and properties of these materials. The course works up from atomic and molecular forces, through interfacial interactions, towards stress transfer at interfaces and mechanical properties of composites. Advanced Topics are a major part of the course and are selected from current industrial and commercial examples of composites, such as nanocomposites and nanofillers in composites, non-thermoplastic (rubber/ceramic/metal) matrix composites, life cycle analysis of specific systems, biomimetic and biopolymer composites, etc. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: MATSE 201 and MATSE 202 (or equivalent introductory course on materials)
from 400-level MATSE courses Supporting Courses and Related Areas Select 9 credits from department list, with a maximum of 6 credits from the following:
MATSE 462General Properties Laboratory in Materials1
An introduction to comparative physical properties of various materials including mechanical, thermal electrical properties and the measurement of said properties. MATSE 462 General Properties Laboratory in Materials (1) This is a lab course whose goal is to provide an integrated approach to physical property measurements in materials science and engineering. Any individual lab will consist of a number of elements, initially students will be provided with a presentation summary of the proposed lab. This could be film, video, web delivery, hard copy or live presentation. Presentation time will be limited but should be reviewed before students attempt the hands-on lab. All labs will examine a
Students will learn general principles of occupational safety and health as well as specific Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards applicable to engineers and those working in industrial workplaces. The goal of the course is to improve hazard recognition and control competency. Students will demonstrate knowledge via activities, assignments, and evaluations. Practical demonstrations will be provided in the classroom and laboratory settings. Students can earn their OSHA 30-Hour Card. This is an industry recognized credential that demonstrates the student has a foundational understanding of safety standards, processes, and other requirements. The credential will make students more marketable for working in industry.
Cermaic processing and powder characteristics. MATSE 468 Ceramics Laboratory III (1)This course will demonstrate to students the experimental techniques by which the key powder characteristics and powder processes are determined, how to analyze the data from the measurements, and to reveal the interaction between properties, processing and structure. The course concentrates on the importance of powder characterization, forming techniques, sintering and microstructure characterization in the processing of ceramics.
A laboratory integrating experimental aspects of the material contained in MATSE 425, casting, solidification micro-structures heat treating, welding, etc. MATSE 471 Metallurgy Laboratory I (1) This course is largely a metals processing laboratory focused on casting, metal deformation, Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 4517 heat treating, and welding. Understanding how these processes affect microstructure and properties will be studied.
MATSE 462 Enforced Concurrent at Enrollment: MATSE 425
MATSE 473Polymeric Materials Laboratory1
Principles and practices of polymerization, including condensation, free radical (bulk, solution, suspension, emulsion), ionic, and Zeigler-Natta procedures. MATSE 473 Polymeric Materials Laboratory--Synthesis (1) This laboratory course provides students exposure to a variety of synthetic techniques basic to Polymer Science. From the polymerization of styrene to the preparation of urethane foams, students will see the role varied synthetic methods and chemistries play in determining the final form and properties of a given polymer. Students also learn the polymer structure characterization by examining the produced polymers with proper tools and instruments.
Fundamentals of processing particulate materials including production, characterization, handling, compaction, and sintering of metal, carbide, intermetallic, and composite powders. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: EMCH 315 or ESC 414M or MATSE 259 Cross-listed with: ESC 475
Introduction to computer simulation techniques and their applications at the physical/life sciences interface. E SC (MATSE) 483 Simulation and Design of Nanostructures (3) Students will learn the simulation techniques and the design rules of nanostructures. Basic concepts of computer modeling will be introduced using quantum and classical approaches. Fundamental physical phenomena encountered in the molecular fields of computational physics, chemistry, and biology will be studied. Applications are drawn from a broad range of fields including soft and condensed matter to build an understanding of nanostructures.The course will assume knowledge and skill developed in the prerequisite courses of PHYS 214 and MATH 230. Students are expected to combine knowledge from other courses with information presented here to develop sophisticated interpretations and understanding of physical and chemical principles of nanostructures and their design rules.Evaluation methods to be used in this course will be two in-class examinations and one final period examination. The course contains a computer code generation and implementation component. Students will use commercial or educational computer codes (e.g. Matlab, Mathematica, AMBER, CHARMM, VASP, etc.) which are available at our high performance computing clusters (http://gears.aset.psu.edu/ hpc/)/ Students will use the computing clusters to perform simulations which are accessible from any classroom or laboratory at Penn State.The principal objectives of the course is to learn the fundamental physics of nanostructures and to design them with computer simulations. This approach starts from classical molecular dynamics that apply on the large scale biological and synthetic assemblies and encompasses quantum mechanics for the molecular and atomic sizes. This course
MATSE 492WMaterials Engineering Methodology and Design3
Designed to familiarize students with the literature and technology developments in the use of, and design with, materials in industrial applications. MATSE 492 Materials Engineering Methodology and Design (3) The objective of this course is to teach students the skills to solve realistic problems related to the use of materials in industrial practice. This will be accomplished by considering alternatives for materials design or selection and proposing the most effective scientific or engineering solutions. The methodology will take into account other forces acting on the design process, such as economic, environmental, sustainability, manufacturability, ethical, health and safety, social and political concerns. Students will develop these design skills by working in teams on projects defined by industry, and will learn to communicate their solutions in verbal and written form. Students will also learn the key features needed in developing a team approach to solving problems. Typically, evaluation is based on written reports, performance in presentations, and instructors's assessment of the student's participation in design team activities. At the conclusion of the course, each student will select a design or independent research topic for their capstone senior-year design project. standing in Materials Science and Engineering Writing Across the Curriculum
3 Multidisciplinary Capstone Design Project 3 or MATSE 494WResearch and Design Senior Project 3 Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better 1 ENGL 15 Rhetoric and Composition 3 1 or ENGL 30H Honors Rhetoric and Composition 4 MATSE 112 Applied Materials Chemistry for Engineers 3 or CHEM 112 Chemical Principles II Supporting Courses and Related Areas Select 12 credits of approved Science or Engineering Elective 12 courses in consultation with adviser The following substitutions are allowed for students attending 3 campuses where the indicated course is not offered: CAS 100 can be 3 substituted for EMSC 100S. 3 General Education 3 Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum 4 provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense 3-6 of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements (p. 3371) section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
/Maximum of 3 Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
MATSE 501Thermodynamics of Materials (3) The goal of this course
is to teach the fundamental principles of thermodynamics of materials from a practical viewpoint - thermodynamics as a "toolbox" to help understand chemical behavior of materials. It attempts to integrate chemistry, phase equilibria, and thermodynamics of a materials system as different means of describing the same chemical behavior. It develops quantitative relationships among them. Thermodynamic terms/values are defined in terms of measurable quantities such as temperature, pressure (partial pressures), and concentrations to diminish the abstract nature of thermodynamics. The course emphasizes problem solving, and more specifically, developing explanations and understanding of chemical and thermal behavior observed in the laboratory/industry. A integral part of the course is to teach the use of state-of-the-art equilibrium themiodynamics computer software as an aid in performing calculations, particularly those involving chemically complex systems with many species.
The main course objective is to present fundamental concepts and models to develop students' quantitative understanding of mechanical, electrical, optical, and thermal phenomena in solid-state materials. Emphasis is placed not only on the discussion of material properties, but also on building a comprehensive understanding of how structure affects properties in solid state materials and vice versa. An overview of quantum mechanics is given and applied to understanding confinement effects and their implication for electronic and optical properties in nanostructured materials. It is further used to provide a solid foundation for understanding LCAO, MO theory, and tight binding approximations as powerful tools towards a modern understanding of structure property relationships in materials science, bridging all the way from the atomic scale of structure to macroscopic scale of properties. The course content is reinforced by utilizing interactive simulation programs. The structure and physical properties of most solids can be understood from fundamental building blocks developed in the last century, namely, crystal structure and symmetry of the organization of atomic nuclei in a solid, and the organization of electrons throughout this periodic Coulombic potential generated by the nuclei in a crystal. These are the essential concepts that will be emphasized in this course. It will begin with a Graduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 1261 description of crystal structure and diffraction theory to understand the crystal structure in real and momentum spaces in the form of a review. This will be followed by classical and semi-classical description of solids beginning from the free electron theory in metals, to tight binding theory in insulators, and band structure in semiconductors. Examples are given for how these different materials are employed in modern electronics and optoelectronics. One of the unique aspects of this course is that computer simulations will be used to aid in "visualizing" the concepts learnt in the class to develop an intuitive understanding of the structure in solid-state materials and their properties. The goal of the course is to equip the student with the knowledge necessary to master the modern framework in solid state materials that describes phenomena, such as electronic band structure, electronic transport, and the vibrational and thermal properties of solid state materials at an atomic level, and to prepare them for higher level graduate courses. The course is suitable for anyone interested in the science and engineering aspects of materials.
Electrochemical processes play a pivotal role in the development of new energy storage devices, energy-efficient material separation processes, and corrosion-resistant materials. This course covers the thermodynamic and transport properties of electrochemical systems, electrochemical characterization techniques, and their application in materials research. The course gives students an overview of the fundamental principles of electrochemical cells and electrode reactions based on the thermodynamic and transport properties at the electrode- electrolyte interface. The course will begin with thermodynamics of electrode reactions both in aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes (e.g., molten salts), including the measurement techniques and Pourbaix diagrams. Then, the course will progress to kinetic aspects of electrode reactions, followed by the electrochemical characterization methods to determine critical kinetic parameters (e.g., exchange current density, diffusivity, and Tafel constants) based on dc (e.g., controlled potential, controlled current, and cyclic voltammetry) and ac techniques (e.g., a.c. voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy). Throughout the course, the application of electrochemical principles in modern materials research and processes will be covered, including electrochemical separation processes (e.g., electroplating, electrorefining, and electrowinning cells) of energy materials, evaluation of corrosion-resistant alloys, and electrochemical power sources (e.g., batteries and fuel cells). PREREQUISITE MATSE 401 MATSE 402
Special properties of surfaces as an important causative and mediating agent in the biological response to materials. BIOE 517 BIOE 517. (MATSC 517) Biomaterials Surface Science (3)This course will factor the classical picture of the biological response to materials into spatial and temporal components, identifying the special properties of surfaces as an important causative and mediating agent. Emphasis will be on biophysical mechanisms and the biological response to materials. Contact activation of blood plasma coagulation cascade, bioadhesion, and protein adsorption will be repeatedly used as example biological response to materials surfaces to illustrate concepts and principles. Leading theories attempting to correlate both kinds of intensity of biological responses to surface and interfacial energetics will be compared and contrasted through a process that will quantify important surface thermodynamic properties of materials. The hydrophobic effect
Properties and methods of producing metallic, ceramic, and polymeric materials used for biomedical applications. BIOE 508 BIOE (MATSC) 508 Biomedical Materials (3) The topical content of this course will be grouped into 4 areas. A general introduction to selected aspects of physiology will be presented. This will provide the background necessary to appreciate the factors which govern the selection of biomedical materials. Specific emphases will be placed on the polymerization of biopolymers (polypeptides and polysaccharides) and the general relationships between conformation and biological function, the biochemistry of blood and blood surface interactions, the formation of teeth and bone and the relationships between microstructure, composition and function, the immune responses to implanted materials, the resorption of bone (osteoporosis),and the development of caries. The perspective placed on these topics will be that of materials science. The selection of ceramics for hard tissue prosthesis will be described. Orthopaedic and dental applications for ceramics will be discussed. Specific ceramic materials to be treated include dental porcelain, alumina- and zirconia-based ceramics, and bioglasses. Various classes of inorganic cements, gypsum, zinc phosphates, zinc carboxylates, silicates, and glass-ionomer cements will also be considered as ceramics. Hydroxyapatite, HAp-based composites and HAp-metal interactions will be discussed in particular. Relationships among physical properties, mechanical properties, and chemical interactions with biological fluids will be described.Dental and orthopaedic applications of metals will be described. The fracture toughness of metals, their electrochemical responses in vivo, and the nature of the interfacial interactions with hard tissues will be treated. Dental amalgams and the noble metals for dental applications will be considered. Metals and alloys, such as Ti, Co-Cr, and stainless steel used in prosthetic applications will be described and their properties and limitations discussed. The phenomenon of stress shielding and the immune responses associated with the accumulation of metallic and polymeric particulate debris in the vicinity of an implant will be discussed in particular.Polymeric materials are important in a broad range of biomedical applications. Among these are soft tissue prostheses, hemostatic agents, dental restoratives, bone replacement materials, and surgical adhesives. In some applications, it is desirable that a polymeric material biodegrade while in others property retention is desirable. Because of the spectrum of applications for polymers, the topics to be covered will be limited with the intent to concentrate on hemocompatible polymers, acrylics used as bone cements, polyethylene used as bearing surfaces in prostheses, and dental resins and bonding materials. Other relevant polymers and their applications will be discussed. Cross-listed with: BIOE 508
Drug delivery systems (DDS) are technologies that improve pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of drugs with the goal to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects. Key to successful development of DDS is to design drug vehicles that can deliver controlled amounts of drugs to the sites of interest for required periods of time by overcoming the challenges due to the complexity of biological systems. With the evolution of materials science and nanotechnology, a wide variety of materials ranging from polymeric or inorganic nanomaterials, hydrogels, bioresponsive/biomimetic/bioinspired materials, and micro/ nanofabricated devices have been developed to fulfill the need for achieving maximum therapeutic outcomes of pharmaceutics. The course will be designed to present the importance of integrating the knowledge and technologies of materials science, engineering, chemistry, biology, medicine and life science to advance this interdisciplinary research field. In addition, it will discuss how the developed technologies provide innovative approaches to translate basic knowledge into healthcare technologies. For this purpose, the course will first focus on the principles of drug therapy, therapeutic targets and requirements for designing drug delivery systems. It will also cover the general aspects of interaction with materials with biological systems, including relationships between properties of materials and their interactions with proteins, blood, and cells, clearance of materials in the body, and strategies to design materials to avoid these foreign body responses. These points will be explained from the viewpoint of materials scientists, chemists, and engineers. The course will also discuss the applications of different types of materials for drug delivery, including polymeric nanomaterials, organic-inorganic hybrid materials, hydrogels and microfabricated devices. In this part of the course, the historical overview as well as recent research progress in this field will be discussed to explain the strategies and methodologies to develop new materials for a wide variety of therapeutics including chemotherapeutics, nucleic acids, proteins, bioimaging reagents, reactive oxygen species and gaseous signal transmitters. Furthermore, the course will discuss the current challenges in the drug delivery research field, and future directions. Throughout the course, recent research papers will be presented to discuss the on-going research in this field, and develop the ability to read scientific articles critically.
Physical and chemical principles of characterization techniques widely used in materials science, chemistry and engineering. CH E (MATSE) 510 Surface Characterization of Materials (3) Surface and interface characterization is an important subject in nanotechnology, heterogeneous catalysis, semiconductor processing, advanced functional materials, biomaterials, corrosion, environmental science, and tribology. This course will study the physical and chemical principles of representative characterization techniques widely used in these research areas. Topics covered in this course include surface chemistry and physics fundamentals, x-ray and electron-based spectroscopy, vibration spectroscopy, ellipsometry, microscopy with physical probes, and multivariate data analysis. Physical principles and practical applications will be studied through theoretical calculations, data analysis, and literature reviews. Cross-listed with: CHE 510
Ph.D. students are also required to take 2 credits of MATSE 590 each year, and complete MATSE 582; credits for MATSE 582 and MATSE 590 will not count towards the minimum 18 credits required. Additional specific course requirements are determined by the student and the adviser in consultation with the student's Ph.D. committee. A student with an M.S. degree from Penn State can use credits earned during his or her M.S. study to fulfill the Ph.D. course requirements. Upon approval by the Ph.D. committee and the graduate program coordinator, some or all of the course requirements may be waived for students holding an M.S. degree from another institution.
Classical and new (microprobe, scanning microscope, magnetic resonance, and Mossbauer) techniques for the characterization of composition, structure, defects, and surfaces. MATSE 514 Characterization of Materials (3) This course is designed for graduate and selected undergraduate students. The broad spectrum of the various materials characterization techniques will be briefly surveyed. Students will not be taught how to run specific instruments or be expected to be an expert on the analytical techniques. However, students will be given assignments that require a search of the literature and having discussions with the relevant experts to develop a detailed understanding of specific characterization techniques. Students will also be required to apply statistical methods in their assigned projects.The objectives of the course include the presentation of a survey of material characterization techniques, lectures on experimental design and use of statistical techniques, as well as problem-solving techniques. The goal is to provide students with a foundation in the use of characterization techniques to solve and diagnose material problems that can be identified and potentially resolved with materials characterization.The first part of the lectures provides a survey on many of the material characterization techniques. The second part of the course covers statistical analysis of experimental data including small population statistics, error analysis, curve fitting routines, and a brief survey of statistical experimental design. The third part of the course covers problem-solving techniques using materials characterization. Several characterization problems are given to the class that require the formation of project teams composed Graduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 1263 of 4 to 5 class members to resolve. Each project team prepares oral and written reports for the problem selected.
MATSE 516Solid State Phase Transformations in Metallic Materials3
Metallic material systems or alloys are used across a wide range of applications. In order to obtain the desired properties, these materials are subjected to a range of thermo-mechanical processing steps and post-processing heat treatments which drive phase transformations while the material is in the solid state. The mechanisms of these solid- state phase transformations involve a wide range of fundamental materials science concepts, including crystallography, nucleation, grain growth, and diffusion. Practitioners must have knowledge across a range of materials disciplines, including thermodynamics, kinetics, and crystallography, in order to synthesize and capture the complex processes occurring over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Knowledge of these fundamental concepts along with their interactions over a range of length scales is applicable across a range of conventional and emerging materials processing fields, from primary steelmaking through heat treatment of nickel and aluminum-base alloys through the additive manufacturing of a wide range of advanced materials. In this course, a comprehensive study of solid state phase transformations in metallic materials will be undertaken. Beginning with the underlying crystal structures prominent in common alloy systems, the role of diffusion and nucleation and grain growth will be undertaken to describe the early stages of phase transformations. The resulting interfaces between different phases will be investigated along with the orientation relationships and the development of equilibrium precipitate morphologies. Building on solid state nucleation theory, microstructural development and precipitation and growth of secondary phases in both equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions will be studied, to include common invariant transformations as well as spinodal decomposition, order-disorder transformations, and the formation of bainite and martensite. These fundamental materials processes will then be investigated for conditions prevalent in advanced manufacturing processes and correlated with advanced and emerging characterization tools. Recommend Preparation: A basic understanding of solidification, solid- state phase transformations, heat treatment, and thermomechanical processing, such as MATSE 259, EMCH 211, and EMCH 213. MATSE 410, 425, 427, or equivalent is preferred but not require Cross-listed with: AMD 516, ESC 516
This course provides fundamental understanding of basic principles in polymer science and connects these to current research topics at Penn State as well as novel findings in soft material science at other institutions. Interdisciplinary in content, the curriculum spans from polymer synthesis (chemistry), to physical properties (physics), to characterization, to engineering (chemical engineering), to application of polymer materials (materials science). Two areas of focus will lie on (i) the environmental impact of commodity plastics and (ii) conductive polymers and their every-day use in display technology and energy harvesting. While polymers are versatile and broadly applicable, there lie significant dangers in their use for us as a society. For example, while the drive for flexible displays and solar cells is increasing, there is no clear pathway for efficient recycling of the resulting electronic polymeric materials. To this end, this course will engage students in discussions
MATSE 525Communicating Topics in Materials Science3
This course is designed to expand students' knowledge of materials science, engineering, and research. The course will cover the properties and applications of a broad range of materials based on each student's proposed research topic. Students will develop an understanding of the primary characterization methods that are used to study and measure the physical and chemical properties of the chosen material and how to appropriately communicate research ideas to their peers. Additionally, students will learn about the broader impacts of their work and the importance of broadening participation - each of which are required elements in NSF proposal.
Reciprocal lattices and the Ewald sphere construction; crystal structure determination by powder and single crystal techniques; space groups. MATSE 530 X-Ray Crystallography and Diffraction (3) MATSE 530 is a general introduction to the crystallography and x-ray diffraction for a variety of different studies of the structure of solids. Students will gain an understanding of basic crystallography, the geometry of diffraction measurements and instrumentation, and the interpretation of diffraction data. Diffraction studies using synchrotron radiation and neutrons are also discussed.
MATSE 534Advanced Solidification Processes in Metallic Materials3
The emergence of advanced manufacturing processes, such as additive manufacturing, has introduced high levels of uncertainty in well- established process - structure - property- performance relationships. A comprehensive understanding of solidification across spatial and temporal scales is needed in order to identify the underlying phenomena driving these unique structures and properties. In this course, the processes driving solidification and the properties of liquid metals will be covered to provide a framework for understanding more complex solidification processes in multi-component systems. Building on a fundamental understanding of both the thermodynamics and kinetics of solidification processes, the properties of interfaces and nucleation and growth will be studied across a range of material systems, including those exhibiting eutectic and peritectic transformations. With this basic knowledge, the role of complex processing conditions and their impact on multi-component alloy systems will be investigated for conditions prevalent in advanced manufacturing processes and correlated with advanced and emerging characterization tools. Recommended Preparation: Students in this course should have a basic understanding (undergraduate level) of physical metallurgy principles, including solidification, solid-state phase transformations, heat treatment, and thermomechanical processing. Cross-listed with: AMD 534, ESC 534
Students must sequence their courses so all undergraduate degree requirements are fulfilled before taking courses to count solely towards the graduate degree.#Students must complete the undergraduate degree requirements within the typical time to degree for the undergraduate major. In the semester in which the undergraduate degree requirements will be completed, IUG students must apply to graduate, and the undergraduate degree should be conferred at the next appropriate Commencement. If students accepted into the IUG program are unable
Symmetry aspects of crystals and physical properties. Matrix and tensor methods. MATSE 540 Crystal Anisotropy (3) In this course symmetry and tensors are used to describe the physical properties of materials as a function of direction, i.e., how a material will respond to different types of stimuli as a function of direction. A variety of thermal, mechanical, electric, magnetic, and optical properties are covered, including pyroelectricity, pyromagnetism, thermal expansion, dielectric d constant, magnetic susceptibility, piezoelectricity, piezomagnetism, elastic stiffness and compliance, electrostriction, magnetostriction, index of refraction, and non-linear optical effects. At first the response of single crystals are considered, but this is later extended to polycrystalline samples with various types of texture.As the course makes extensive use of symmetry, several weeks are dedicated to the development of the 32 crystallographic point groups using group theory. Symmetry operations are described using coordinate transformation matrices and stereographic projections. Both tensor quantities and tensor
This graduate course discusses the new advances in polymer chemistry that leads to new polymeric materials with interesting structures and properties. CHEM (MATSE) 543CHEM (MATSE) 543 Polymer Chemistry (3) This course provides advance level of polymer chemistry and materials taught in MATSE 441 - Polymeric Materials. Students are able to know the versatility that is inherent in polymer chemistry and the new research results and activities, especially controlling polymerization, polymer structures, designing polymers with desirable properties, etc. Students shall also understand the major economic and environmental concerns and solutions in producing commercial-scale polymers.This polymer chemistry course provides important links between chemistry and polymeric materials. The course will focus on recent advances in polymer chemistry that affords new polymer materials with controlled polymer structures, compositions, and properties, as well as economic and "green" processes.This course is designed for graduate students Graduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 1265 having basic knowledge in organic, inorganic, and organometallic principles. For Chemistry major, this course offers students with the knowledge to apply chemical principles and methods to design and prepare the desirable polymers (no prerequisite for Chemistry graduate students). For Material Science and other majors, this course provides advance level of polymer chemistry and materials taught in MATSE 441 (a prerequisite course).In addition, each student will be required to review (presentation and term-paper) a contemporary subject relative to polymer chemistry, which will help student self-education, and presentation and writing skills. Students will be evaluated by quizzes and examinations, a term-paper and presentation, and class participation. Cross-listed with: CHEM 543
Physical principles and experimental methods used to characterize the electrical, optical, structural and chemical properties of semiconductor materials. Cross-listed with: EE 545
Preparation and properties of ceramic semiconductors, dielectrics, and magnetic materials. MATSE 548 Dielectric & Other Electroceramics (3) This course reviews the fundamental underpinnings of electroceramic materials as used in passive, active, and sensor components, and systems. The recent literature and industrial trends are critically
Design and interpretation of ceramic microstructures through an understanding of the physics and chemistry of sintering and grain growth. MATSE 552 Sintering of Ceramics (3) This course is about the processing of ceramic-based materials by sintering processes. Sintering is the thermal processing of a porous material which results in a decrease in surface free energy, strengthening and usually densification. The first half of the course covers the thermodynamics, mechanisms, kinetics, and models for densification. The theory of grain growth and coarsening processes are also discussed. The relations between densification and grain growth are discussed as they influence microstructure evolution. Tools for characterizing sintering and grain growth processes are reviewed. Practical applications of sintering for the manufacture of ceramic-based components ranging from low temperature co-fired ceramics to transparent ceramics are discussed.
Introduction to the fundamental concepts needed to understand the physics applicable to polymer melts, solutions and gels. MATSE (PHYS) 555 Polymer Physics I (3) This course develops fundamental understanding of the conformations of polymers in solution and melt states. We start with ideal chains that have random walk statistics. Next excluded volume is introduced to understand the self-avoiding walk conformation and collapsed conformation of real chains. The behavior ideal and real chains are studied in extension, compression and adsorption. While positive excluded volume leads to swelling, negative excluded volume leads to collapse and phase separation. The phase behavior of polymer mixtures and solutions is described in detail Semidilute solutions are understood in terms of two length scales where each chain changes it's conformational statistics. Scattering is used to determine the conformation of chains, their molar mass and their interactions with surroundings. Percolation theory is introduced to model the statistics of random branching and gelation. The rubber elasticity of fully developed networks is understood in terms of the stretching laws for network chains. Entanglement effects, swelling and viscoelasticity are discussed in detail. Once the conformations of polymers are understood, dynamics of polymer liquids are considered. In dilute solutions hydrodynamic interactions dominate and the viscoelasticity predicted by the Zimm model is derived. In unentangled melts of short chains, hydrodynamic interactions are screened and the Rouse model is used to understand viscoelasticity. Unentangled polymers in semidilute solutions have Zimm dynamics on small length scales and Rouse dynamics on longer length scales. Dynamic scattering techniques are discussed for measuring polymer dynamics. Entanglement effects are described using the tube model, where surrounding chains confine the motion of a given polymer to a tube-like region. The effects of concentration, chain length and polydispersity of linear chain polymer liquids are discussed in detail. The effects of branching on polymer dynamics are introduced at the level of simple structures such as star polymers and comb polymers. The course assumes some prior knowledge of polymers, usually obtained through an introductory undergraduate course. The students should attain a working understanding of the basic concepts of polymer physics in this course, allowing them to tackle more difficult problems in their research. Such skills are reinforced through homework and take-home examinations. Cross-listed with: PHYS 555
Deformation of crystalline/amorphous solids and relationship to structure; elastic, viscoelastic and plastic response over a range of temeratures and strain rates. EMCH 535 / MATSE 564 Deformation Mechanisms in Materials (3) The course will study the relationship between the deformation mechanisms in materials and their structure. The types of deformation behavior considered in the course are linear elasticity (isotropic or anisotropic), viscoelasticity and plastic deformation. For the elastic behavior, the emphasis will be on the way elastic behavior is controlled by atomic structure and microstructure. The constitutive laws that describe this behavior and the assumptions on which they are based will be introduced. The next phase of the course considers the range of deformation behavior from purely viscous (linear or non-linear) to viscoelastic. Initially, the emphasis will be on the effects
Processing and performance of metals in electronics, covering electrical resistivity, metal film deposition, metal/semiconductor contacts, interconnects, and electronic packaging. MATSE 565 Metals in Electronics (3) This course addresses the processing, use, and performance of metals in electronics. The course is intended to provide students with a background in semiconducting or other electronic materials with specific knowledge about the application of metals in electronics as well as to allow students with a metallurgical background to learn about how their expertise fits into the electronics industry. Topics covered include electrical resistivity in thin metal and alloy films, deposition of thin metal films, metal/semiconductor contacts, interconnects in microelectronics, electromigration, diffusion barriers, electronic packaging, and metal/metal contacts. Grades are based on homework problems, a term paper, and class presentations. The course is offered in alternate fall semesters.
MATSE 567Additive Manufacturing of Metallic Materials3-4
This course will expose students to the state of the art in understanding processing, structure, and property relationships in materials fabricated using additive manufacturing (AM). There will be a strong focus on metallic alloys, but polymers, ceramics, and advanced materials will also be briefly discussed. The emphasis of the course will be on understanding the links between processing and the resulting structure, as well as the microstructure and the mechanics of the fabricated materials. Initially, we will discuss the types of AM and the feedstock materials required for these processes. We will then focus on metals, and discuss the energy sources used in AM (lasers, electron beams), and their interactions with the material. We will discuss the molten pool characteristics and the solidification microstructures. We will relate the microstructures seen in AM to the resulting mechanical properties (elastic deformation, plastic deformation, fracture, fatigue performance, and residual stress/distortion). Finally, we will discuss specific case studies for metals, polymers, ceramics, and advanced materials. Cross-listed with: AMD 567
Preparation and characterization of solid catalytic materials and the relationships between their surface, defect, and electronic properties and catalytic activity. MATSE (EME) 570 Catalytic Materials (3)This Graduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 1267 course covers the preparation and characterization of solid catalytic materials, and the relationships between the surface and electronic properties and pore structure of the materials and their catalytic activity , and selectivity. The course includes the following materials: zeolites and molecular sieves; metals and alloys; metal oxides; metal sulfides; and other catalytic materials. Also included are the major applications of catalytic materials in chemical and petroleum industries and in other manufacturing industries for environmental protection. This course can be grouped into three parts: (1) introduction to catalysis and analytical techniques; (2) synthesis and characterization of catalytic materials; and (3) catalysis at surfaces of solid materials. The course is suitable for a broad spectrum of students in energy and mineral engineering, materials science and engineering, fuel science, chemical engineering, chemistry, solid -state science, and environmental engineering. sciences and engineering Cross-listed with: EME 570
The integration of fundamental principles and advanced computational approaches in the thermodynamics of materials, including hands-on computation, theory and application.
Simulations (3)This course will focus on computational techniques and fundamentals of phase transformation simulations on the continuum, mesocale level. The objective of the course is to introduce the evolution of simulation techniques and integrate fundamental principles in thermodynamics and kinetics with advanced computational approaches. The teaching will be problem-oriented using literature publications. There will be many hands-on computer exercises to gain experience in presenting problems to computer and interpreting the computer results. This course is particularly useful for students who would like to explore the power of computational approaches and would like to understand the thermodynamic and kinetic principles behind computational phase transformations.
/Maximum of 9 Creative projects, including nonthesis research, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
or MATSE 596 Individual Studies Total Credits 30 As a culminating experience for the M.S. degree, students may choose to complete either a thesis or a scholarly paper. Students who choose to complete a thesis must take at least 6 credits of thesis research (MATSE 600). A thesis describing independent research performed by the student must be written and defended at an oral examination. Bound copies will be made available for the University Libraries and the thesis adviser. A thesis committee will administer the final oral examination of the thesis. The committee must consist of at least three Graduate Faculty members. The thesis must be accepted by the committee members, the head of the graduate program, and the Graduate School, and the student must pass the thesis defense. The non-thesis track is designed to be completed in 3 semesters, or one calendar year (fall, spring, and summer). Students in this program will be required to begin in the fall semester and be registered continuously until the culminating research experience is completed at the end of the summer. A research adviser will be assigned to students in their first semester. Students in the non-thesis option must write a satisfactory scholarly paper while enrolled in MATSE 596. A total of 6 credits of MATSE 596 will be taken, 1 credit each in the fall and spring, and 4 credits in the summer. It is expected that the scholarly paper will be submitted and approved at the end of the summer semester. Students who need more time to complete the final paper will be allowed to complete the paper, and have it reviewed and approved after the third semester has ended. Students are not required to remain in residence while they complete the final paper. However, extensions granted to students in this program must comply with the Graduate Council policy on deferred grades (http://gradschool.psu.edu/graduate-education-policies/gcac/ gcac-400/grading-system). Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-600 Research Degree Policies. (https:// gradschool.psu.edu/graduate-education-policies/) A doctoral program consists of a combination of courses, seminars, and research that fulfills the minimum requirements of Graduate Council and is approved by the Ph.D. committee for each individual student. A master's degree is not a prerequisite for the doctorate. However, the first year of graduate study leading to the Ph.D. may be the same as Graduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 517 that provided for the M. S. degree. Acceptance into the Ph.D. program is based on the student's performance on the Ph.D. qualifying exam, which is administered by a graduate qualifying exam committee of the department. A minimum of 18 credits of 500-level courses is required for completing a Ph.D. degree in Materials Science and Engineering, including 9 credits in required core courses: Code Title Credits
