Undergraduate Catalog
Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
The Metallurgical and Materials Engineering curriculum is a broad-based program designed to provide a basic education in metallurgical and materials engineering. The student can specialize in one or more areas in the junior and senior year by taking appropriate elective courses. The program is well suited for a career in industry or as a basis for graduate study. Courses related to advanced materials topics are also available.
Metallurgical And Materials Engineering
M201 Engineering Science Complex
(915) 747-5468
Program Chairperson:
Stella A. Quiñones
Professor Emeritus:
Lonnie L. Abernethy, Roy Arrowood, Walter Fisher, Juan M. Herrera, John McClure, Lawrence Murr
Professors:
Thomas Boland, Stephen Stafford, Shailendra Varma
Associate Professors:
Namsoo "Peter" Kim, David Roberson
Assistant Professors:
Binata Joddar, Guikuan Yue
Professor of Practice:
Chris Bradley, Darren Cone and Shalayna Smith
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (MME) Undergraduate Catalogue
1101
Laboratory for Introduction to MME Design (0-1)
This laboratory for MME 1301 will provide some hands-on, practice-oriented experiences.
Prerequisite (may be taken concurrently): English 1311 and Math 1411.
1301
Introduction to Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Design (3-0)
This course combination MME 1301/MME 1101 will introduce the student to effective procedures for solving simple metallurgical and materials engineering and design problems, using mathematics, computers, basic measuring systems and devices, computational tools, and statistical concepts. The course will also introduce the student to the metallurgical and materials engineering profession, including the role and responsibilities of the engineer in today's society. The laboratory portion is MME 1101.
Prerequisite (may be taken concurrently): English 1311 and Math 1411.
2303
Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering (3-0)
Introduction to properties of engineering materials and relationships to their structure, behavior, and processing. Materials testing and measurement of properties. Selection of materials for engineering applications, considering interrelationships between structure, properties, processing, and performance.
Prerequisite: Chemistry 1305, with a grade of "C" or better.
2305
Material and Energy Balance (3-0)
Introduction to process variables, stoichiometry, materials balance, first law of thermodynamics, and energy balance applied to materials systems.
Prerequisite: Chemistry 1305 or 1306 and Math 2313, each with a grade of "C" or better.
2434
Mechanics of Materials (3-3)
A first course in Newtonian mechanics using vectors. Equilibrium of particles and rigid bodies, forces in space, centroids, moments of inertia, study of stress and strain; use of stress-load equations to determine the state of stress in specific structural elements; study of combined stresses.
Prerequisite: Math 1411 with a grade of "C" or better.
3306
Rate Processes in Materials System (3-0)
Introduction to reaction kinetics, fluid flow, and heat transfer applied to materials systems.
Prerequisite: MME 1101, MME 1301, CHEM 1306, and MATH 2326 or MATH 3326, each with a grade of "C" or better, and Junior standing.
3308
Applied Chemical Thermodynamics (3-0)
First, second, and third law of thermodynamics applied to materials systems. Topics include thermochemistry, chemical equilibria, phase equilibria, solutions, activity, and electrochemical potential.
Prerequisite: MME 2305 with a grade of "C" or better and Junior standing.
3309
Introduction to Electronic Materials Science (3-0)
Basic theory of the electrical, semiconductor, magnetic, optical, and superconductor properties of materials. Application and fabrication of selected materials.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2421 with a grade of "C" or better.
3312
Biomaterials (3-0)
Selection and use of materials (especially polymers, ceramics, metals and composites) in biological systems, selection, function, testing and characterization of biomedical materials, fundamental issues relating to biological materials and biomimetics applied to materials development and applications. Nanobiomaterials phenomena. Biomaterials and medical devices including implants and implant degradation and failure.
Prerequisite: MME 2303, with a grade of "C" or better.
3314
Composite Materials (3-0)
Introduction to fiber-reinforced materials. Manufacturing technology for strong fibers and whiskers. Mechanical performance, design, and manufacturing of composite products. Adhesion, interfacial shear, and critical fiber length. Anisotropic plane-stress elasticity; multiaxial strength of anisotropic materials. Classical theory of laminates. Delamination and other performance problems.
Prerequisite: MME 2434 with a grade of "C" or better.
3321
Engineering Alloys (3-0)
The study of the selection and specification of engineering alloys for the use in industrial applications. Topics related to ferrous and non-ferrous metals in the cast, wrought, powder, and particle state will be covered.
Prerequisite: MME 3407 with a grade of "C" or better or department approval.
3406
Nanofunctional Physical Metallurgy (4-0)
The underlying principles of physical metallurgy dealing with the structure property relationships will be covered. Topics include crystal structures, nano, micro, and macro defects, solid solutions, precipitation hardening, diffusion and phase equilibria including nanophases, deformation and annealing, nucleation and growth, solidification, and nanophases affecting properties.
Restricted to major: MME.Prerequisite: MME 2303 with a grade of "C" or better and junior standing.
3407
Mechanical Behavior of Materials (4-3)
The microstructure-property relationships will be emphasized in this course. The deformation processes for metals, ceramics, polymers, and composite materials will be analyzed in terms of current theories and models. The topics include twinning, martensite, fracture, dislocation theory, plastic deformation, creep, fatigue, strengthening mechanisms, and mechanical testing.
Prerequisite: MME 2303 and MME 3406, each with a grade of "C" or better.
4171
4271
4371
Engineering Problems (0-0-1), (0-0-2), (0-0-3)
Original investigation of special problems in the student's field, the problem to be selected by the student with the approval of the head of the department. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: Senior standing.
4175
4275
4375
Undergraduate Research in Metallurgy (0-0-1), (0-0-2), (0-0-3)
Supervised individual research. May be repeated for credit as topic varies. Can only be substituted for metallurgy electives or technical electives.
Prerequisite: Senior standing and a 3.0 grade point average.
4181
4182
4183
Practice Oriented Experiences (0-0-1)
Work experience in business, industrial, governmental, professional, service or other organizations to provide on-the-job training, internships, practice oriented experiences, and professional preparation in the student's area of interest. A report covering the practice oriented experience must be submitted by the student to the departmental coordinator or chair at the end of each internship's practice period. A student may use 3 hours in his or her degree plan in place of technical elective or as a free elective or additional credit in the degree program.
Prerequisite: Selection by the coordinator, department chair person, and employer.
4195
Senior Professional Orientation (0-1)
Introduction to the engineering profession with emphasis on job placement, professional ethics, and an engineering field examination. Required of all students prior to graduation.
Prerequisite: Senior standing.
4303
Metals Processing (3-0)
Analysis of the unit operations involved in metal and mineral production using the principles of material and energy balance, fluid flow, heat transfer, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamics. Survey of processing operations for specific metals such as copper, iron, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and uranium.
Prerequisite: MME 3306, MME3308, each with a grade of "C" or better.
4304
Printable Materials (3-0)
This course deals with various aspects of nano size particles in conjuction with printing processes to form layered materials for flexible electronics, sensors, RFIDs, and medical devices. Major issues that arise in direct writing processes: ink-jet, micro dispensing deposition write; R2R systems, printable components and processes, emphasizing the fundamental physical chemistry, colloidal stability; general modeling and mathematical concepts, and analysis and simulation tools required for existing or future printable applications.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1306 and PHYS 2421 with a grade of C or better; department approval also required. Restricted to majors of MME and Senior standing.
4309
Corrosion (3-0)
Application of electrochemistry and engineering principles to the corrosion, passivity, and protection of metals and alloys.
Prerequisite: MME 2303 with a grade of "C" or better or department approval.
4316
Failure Analysis (3-0)
The mechanisms of materials failure, failure analysis techniques, and non-destructive testing methods are discussed with emphasis on analysis and interpretation of case studies.
Prerequisite: MME 2303 and MME 2434, each with a grade of "C" or better, and Junior standing.
4320
Nanomaterials and Nanostructures (3-0)
Topics will include zero-dimensional nanostructures (including nanoparticles), one and two-dimensional nanostructures (nanowires, nanorods, nano-thin films), nanotubes (especially carbon nanotubes), nanomaterials fabrication and applications, and nanostructure characterization.
Prerequisite: MME 2303, with a grade of "C" or better.
4330
Solidification Processes (3-0)
Fundamentals of solidification in processes commonly found in manufacturing. The course will cover the principles involved in metal casting, welding, brazing, soldering, and plastic injection molding.
Prerequisite: MME 2303 with a grade of "C" or better.
4404
Materials Processing (3-3)
Materials and processes in soldering, brazing, glass and ceramic production, powder metallurgy, surface modification, vapor deposition, fabrication of patterned multi-layers, solidification, etc. Analysis using material and energy balance, fluid flow, heat transfer, kinetics, and thermodynamics. Applications: crystal growth, ceramic/metal joining, glass/metal seals, varistors, ferrites, ceramic capacitors, coatings, CMOS transistors and IC's advanced metal casting, printed wiring boards, and sensors.
Prerequisite: MME 4303 with a grade of "C" or better.
4413
Structural Characterization (4-3)
The application of modern instrumentation and techniques to structural characterization problems. Both theory and operation will be stressed. X-Ray analysis, electron microscopy (TEM-SEM), and electron probe analysis will be included.
Prerequisite: MME 3407 with a grade of "C" or better or department approval.
4419
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Design and Practice (3-3)
Introduction to creative industrial problem-solving and the design process in materials engineering. Topics include material and process selection, project planning and resource management, economic decision making in terms of cost evaluation and profitability, and optimization methods. Weekly discussions explore issues of professionalism including engineering ethics, public safety and environmental concerns in design, codes, and standards, etc. Student design teams define and investigate problems in metallurgical processing, materials selection and evaluation, quality control, etc. Design project teams make written proposals and oral progress reports, as well as a final written report and presentation. Laboratory time is devoted to design projects.
Prerequisite: MME 3407, with a grade of "C" or better, MME 4303.