Materials Science and Engineering Courses (MATSCIE)

*For more information regarding course equivalencies please refer to the Course Equivalency section, under “How to Read a Course Description“, in the CoE Bulletin Website: https://bulletin.engin.umich.edu/courses/course-info/

100 Level Courses

MATSCIE 193. Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. (1-4 credits)
Special topics of current interest to students. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

200 Level Courses

MATSCIE 220. Introduction to Materials and Manufacturing
Prerequisite: Chem 130 or Chem 210. (4 credits)
Introduction to materials engineering and materials processing in manufacturing. The engineering properties of metals, polymers, semiconductors, ceramics and composites are correlated with the internal structure of the materials and the service conditions. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 242. Physics of Materials
Prerequisite: Physics 240 and preceded or accompanied by Math 216. (4 credits)
Basic principles of modern physics and quantum mechanics as pertain to solid state physics and the physical behavior of materials on the nanometer scale. Applications to solid state and nano-structured materials will be emphasized including band structure, bonding and magnetic, optical and electronic response. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 250. Principles of Engineering Materials
Prerequisite: Chem 130 or Chem 210. (4 credits)
Introductory course to engineering materials.  Properties (mechanical, thermal and electrical) of metals, polymers, ceramics and electronic materials.  Correlation of these properties with (1) their internal structures (atomic, molecular, crystalline, micro- and macro-), (2) service conditions (mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, magnetic and radiation), and (3) processing. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 280. Materials Science and Engineering Undergraduate Research Opportunity
Prerequisite: Open only to 1st- or 2nd-year undergraduate students with permission of instructor. (1-4 credits)
The UROP program enables students to work one-on-one or with a small group of students with faculty members conducting research. Students receive 1 credit per 3 hours of work per week. Students participating in the program are required to attend biweekly research peer group meetings, meet monthly with a peer advisor and keep a research journal. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 281 (ANTHRARC 281). Making Things: Three Million Years of Materials and Culture
Prerequisite: None. (3 credits)
Connections between the discovery of new materials – such as ceramics, concrete, precious stones and metals, glass, steel, plastics, and semiconductors – and social transformations worldwide. To see these connections, the course will fuse basic concepts in materials science and engineering with perspectives and methods from anthropological archaeology. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 293. Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering 
Prerequisite: None. (1-4 credits)
Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

300 Level Courses

MATSCIE 330. Thermodynamics of Materials
Prerequisites: Phys 140/141, Math 215, and MATSCIE 220 or 250. (4 credits)
The laws of thermodynamics and their consequences. Applications to solid and liquid materials. Mass and energy balances. Gas reactions. Phase diagrams. Ellingham, Pourbaix and stability diagrams. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 335. Kinetics and Transport in Materials Engineering
Prerequisite: Enforced: Math 216, MATSCIE 220 or 250, and MATSCIE 330. (4 credits)
Application of basic principles of molecular transport and mass, energy and momentum balance to the solution of heat, diffusion and fluid flow problems relevant to materials processing. Introduction to radiative heat transfer. Empirical approaches to and dimensional analysis of complex transport problems including convection, turbulence and non-Newtonian flow. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 350. Structures of Materials
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 220 or MATSCIE 250. (4 credits)
Basic principles of Materials Science & Engineering; including bonding, structure and microstructure and how they are influenced by thermodynamics and kinetics. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 360. Materials Laboratory I
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 220 or 250. (3 credits)
Laboratory experiences based on principles emphasized in Fundamentals of Materials Science including processing, properties, and structure with a focus on micro structural analysis and structure-property relationships. Continued as MATSCIE 365. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 365. Materials Laboratory II
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 360 and accompanied by MATSCIE 242. (3 credits)
Laboratory experiences based on principles emphasized in Physics of Materials and Fundamentals of Material Science. Processing, properties, and microstructure with a focus on electronic and magnetic phenomena. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

400 Level Courses

MATSCIE 400. Electronic, Magnetic and Optical Materials for Modern Device Technology
Prerequisites: MATSCIE 242 and either MATSCIE 220 or 250 or equivalents. (3 credits)
Application of solid-state phenomena in engineering structures such as microelectronic, magnetic and optical devices. Review of quantum mechanical descriptions of crystalline solids. Microelectronic, magnetic and optical properties of devices, fabrication and process methods. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 410 (BIOMEDE 410) (MACROMOL 410). Design and Applications of Biomaterials
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 220 or 250 or permission of instructor. (3 credits)
Biomaterials and their physiological interactions. Materials used in medicine/ dentistry: metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, resorbable smart, natural materials. Material response/degradation: mechanical breakdown, corrosion, dissolution, leaching, chemical degradation, wear. Host responses: foreign body reactions, inflammation, wound healing, carcinogenicity, immunogenicity, cytotoxicity, infection, local/systemic effects. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 412 (CHE 412) (MACROMOL 412). Polymeric Materials
Prerequisites: MATSCIE 220 or 250 or Graduate Standing. Minimum grade of “C-” for enforced prerequisites. (3 credits)
The synthesis, characterization, microstructure, rheology and processing of polymeric materials. Polymers in solution and in the liquid, liquid-crystalline, crystalline and glassy states. Engineering and design properties, including viscoelasticity, yielding and fracture. Forming and processing methods. Recycling and environmental issues. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 420. Mechanical Behavior of Materials
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 220 or 250, MECHENG 211. (3 credits)
Macroscopic and microscopic aspects of deformation and fracture. Plasticity, general continuum approach. Microscopic hardening mechanisms. Rate and temperature dependent deformation. Deformation and fracture mechanism maps. Fracture mechanics. Fatigue behavior. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 440. Ceramic Materials
Prerequisite: None. Advisory Prerequisite: MATSCIE 350. (3 credits)
Chemistry, structure, processing, microstructure and property relationships and their applications in design and production of ceramic materials. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 454. Computational Approaches in MSE
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 335, 365 or permission by instructor. (3 credits)
Computational methods and tools used in materials science and engineering, including the advantages, disadvantages, and pitfalls associated with various methods, the concepts behind the methods and the basics of numerical modeling and simulation. The hands-on laboratory sessions, home problems, and class project provide first-hand learning experience in modeling. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 465. Structural and Chemical Characterization of Materials
Prerequisites: MATSCIE 350. Minimum grade of “C-” required for enforced prerequisite. (3 credits)
Study of the basic structural and chemical characterization techniques that are commonly used in materials science and engineering. X-ray, electron and neutron diffraction, a wide range of spectroscopies, microscopies and scanning probe methods will be covered. Lectures will be integrated with a laboratory where the techniques will be demonstrated and/or used by the student to study a material. Techniques will be presented in terms of the underlying physics and chemistry. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 470. Physical Metallurgy
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 335; MATSCIE 350 (Advised). Minimum grade of a “C-” for enforced prerequisite. (3 credits)
Phase transformation mechanisms in metallic systems. Nucleation, diffusion-controlled growth, spinodal decomposition and martensitic reactions. Binary and ternary phase diagrams. Solidification and precipitate evolution. Structural alloy systems including Al, Mg, Fe, Ni and Titanium. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 481. Designing Sustainable Products and Processes
Enforced Prerequisite: Senior Standing. (3 credits)
Projects based on environmental sustainability. Project based teamwork. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA). Engineering economics. Environmental impact with emphasis on CO2 utilization. Identification of key technology drivers to reduce cost and environmental impact. Written and oral presentations of solutions. Projects are overseen/graded by faculty and may also involve mentoring by representatives from external organizations. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 482. Product Design and Manufacturing 
Enforced Prerequisite: Senior Standing. (3 credits)
Design, manufacturing and validation of complex products. Sponsor-based projects. Project based teamwork. Prototyping. User centric design principles. System engineering. Project management. Written and oral presentations at design reviews. Projects are overseen/graded by faculty and may also involve mentoring by representatives from external organizations. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 485 (MFG 458). Design Problems in Materials Science and Engineering
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 480. (1-4 credits) (to be arranged)
The design of production and refining systems for engineering materials. Design of problems for the extraction and refining of metals, production and processing of ceramics, polymeric materials, and electronic materials.  Written and oral presentation of solutions to processing design problems. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 490. Research Problems in Materials Science and Engineering
Prerequisite: not open to graduate students. (to be arranged)
Individual or group work in a particular field or on a problem of special interest to the student. The program of work is arranged at the beginning of each term by mutual agreement between the student and a faculty member. Written and oral reports are required. Laboratory and conferences. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 493. Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 350. (to be arranged)
Selected topics of current interest for students entering industry. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

500 Level Courses

MATSCIE 500. Materials Physics and Chemistry
Prerequisite: Senior level or Graduate Standing. (3 credits)
Physical properties of a wide range of materials, including crystalline and organic materials from the electronic and atomic point of view. The bonding and structure of materials will be placed in context of quantum mechanics and band theory; and the electrical, optical, thermal, mechanical and magnetic properties will be emphasized. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 502. Materials Issues in Electronics
Prerequisites: MATSCIE 242 and MATSCIE 400 or equivalent. (3 credits)
This course covers the key materials issues, including defects, diffusion and oxidation relevant to the conversion of a material into an electronic device. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 505. Materials Science of Thin Films
Prerequisites: MATSCIE 242 and MATSCIE 400 or equivalent. (3 credits)
Thermodynamics and kinetics of film nucleation, growth, structure and stability for a single crystal, polycrystalline and amorphous thin films. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 510 (CHEM 511). Materials Chemistry
Advisory Prerequisite: CHEM 302 and CHEM 461. (3 credits)
This course presents concepts in materials chemistry. The main topics covered include structure and characterization, macroscopic properties and synthesis and processing. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 511 (CHE 511) (MacroSE 511). Rheology of Polymeric Materials
Prerequisite: a course in fluid mechanics or permission from instructor. (3 credits)
An introduction to the relationships between the chemical structure of polymer chains and their rheological behavior. The course will make frequent reference to synthesis, processing, characterization and use of polymers for high technology applications. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 512 (CHE 512) (MacroSE 512). Polymer Physics
Prerequisite: Senior or Graduate Standing in engineering or physical science. (3 credits)
Structure and properties of polymers as related to their composition, annealing and mechanical treatments. Topics include creep, stress relaxation, dynamic mechanical properties, viscoelasticity, transitions, fracture, impact response, dielectric properties, permeation and morphology. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 514 (MacroSE 514) (MFG 514). Composite Materials
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 220 or 250. (3 credits)
Behavior, processing, and design of composite materials, especially fiber composites. Emphasis is on the chemical and physical processes currently employed and expected to guide the future development of the technology. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 515 (MacroSE 515). Mechanical Behavior of Solid Polymeric Materials
Prerequisite: MECHENG 211, MATSCIE 412. (3 credits)
The mechanical behavior of polymers from linear viscoelastic to yield and fracture are covered. Specific topics include dynamic-mechanical relaxations, creep, yielding, crazing, fatigue and fracture mechanics. The materials include toughened plastics, polymer alloys and blends and composite materials. Structured design with plastics is also considered. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 516 (MECHENG 516). Mechanics of Thin Films and Layered Materials
Prerequisite: MECHENG 311 or Graduate Standing. (3 credits)
Stresses and deformations in layered materials; energy-release rates and delamination; fracture mechanics of layered materials; spalling; interfacial fracture mechanics; mixed-mode fracture; buckling-driven delamination; cracking of thin films; effects of plasticity on fracture; stress-relaxation mechanisms in multi-layered materials; adhesion and fracture tests. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 517 (MACROMOL 530). Advanced Function Polymers: Molecular Design and Applications
Prerequisite: MSE 412 or graduate standing. Minimum grade requirement of “C-” for enforced prerequisites. (3 credits)
Development of global perspective of interdisciplinary issues involved in functional polymers.  Learn how to design, synthesize, evaluate, and analyze functional polymers. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 518. Surface and Interfacial Engineering
Prerequisite: Senior standing or graduate standing. (3 credits)
Provides an insight into the fundamental physics and chemistry of interfaces that enable the understanding and design of different functional surfaces. It will cover the fundamental principles that govern surface properties, techniques for surface modification and characterization, as well as novel applications of designer surfaces. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 520. Advanced Mechanical Behavior
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing. (3 credits)
Advanced studies of deformation and failure in materials. Macroscopic and microscopic aspects of deformation. Elasticity and plasticity theories and problems in deformation processing. Fracture mechanics and composite toughening mechanisms. Mechanisms of creep deformation. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 521 (MECHENG 577). Use of Materials and their Selection in Design
Prerequisite: MECHENG 382 and senior, or graduate standing. (3 credits)
Material properties, including physical, mechanical, thermal, electrical, economic, corrosion and environmental properties. Interaction of function, shape, choice of materials, processing, economics and environmental impact in design. Methodology for materials selection and optimization, including performance indices, multiple constraints and multiple objectives. Introduction to analysis of environmental impact of materials selection. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 532. Advanced Thermodynamics of Materials
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 330 or equivalent. (3 credits)
Classical and statistical thermochemistry with emphasis on topics important in materials science and engineering, including thermodynamics of solids, solution thermochemistry, heterogeneous equilibria of stable and metastable phases, multicomponent systems, coherent equilibria and strain effects, interfaces and adsorption, polymer alloys and solutions. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 535. Kinetics, Phase Transformations, and Transport
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 330 or equivalent. (3 credits)
Fundamentals of phase change, diffusion, heat transport, nucleation, and growth applied to solidification, ordering, spinodal decomposition, coarsening, reactions, massive transformations, diffusion-limited transformations and glass transitions. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 545. Fundamentals of Battery Design
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 220/250 or graduate standing. (3 credits)
Fundamentals of battery operation, electrochemistry, and materials in batteries. Practical battery design, assembly and testing concepts including new battery designs such as in all solid-state batteries. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 550. Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering
Prerequisite: Senior or graduate standing or permission of instructor. (3 credits)
An advanced level survey of the fundamental principles underlying the structures, properties, processing and uses of engineering materials. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 554 (CHE 554). Computational Methods in MATSCIE and CHE
Prerequisite: Senior level or Graduate Standing. (3 credits)
Broad introduction to the methods of numerical problem solving in Materials Science and Chemical Engineering. Topics include numerical techniques, computer algorithms and the formulation and use of computational approaches for the modeling and analysis of phenomena peculiar to these disciplines. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 555. Materials Energy Conversion
Prerequisite: Senior standing or higher (3 credits)
The course includes an introduction to energy conversion and storage issues. Next, the operating principles of energy conversion and storage devices are discussed. The remainder of the course focuses on the physics and chemistry of nanostructures and nanomaterial design and processing approaches to enhanced performance photovoltaics, thermoelectrics and fuel cells. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 556. Molecular Simulation of Materials
Prerequisite: Senior level or graduate standing. (3 credits)
Practical and theoretical consideration in the simulation of materials on the molecular level. Molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo techniques. Empirical interaction potentials for metals, ceramics and polymers. Statistical mechanics and thermodynamics of simulated systems. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 557 (CHE 557). Computational Nanoscience of Soft Matter
Prerequisites: Differential equations course, and a statistical thermodynamics or statistical mechanics course. (3 credits)
Provides an understanding of strategies, methods, capabilities and limitations of computer simulation as it pertains to the modeling and simulation of soft materials at the nanoscale. The course consists of lectures and hands-on, interactive simulation labs using research codes and commercial codes. Ab initio, molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo and mesoscale methods. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 558 (CHE 558) (MacroE 558). Foundations of Nanotechnology
Prerequisites: Senior or graduate standing. (3 credits)
The focus of this course is on the scientific foundations of nanotechnology. The effects of nanoscale dimensions on optical, electrical and mechanical properties are explained based on atomistic properties and related to applications in electronics, optics, structural materials and medicine. Projects and discussions include startup technological assessment and societal implications of the nanotechnology revolution. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 559 (CHE 559) (MacroE 559). Foundations of Nanotechnology II
Prerequisites: Senior or graduate standing. (3 credits)
This course will cover the synthesis and processing of nano-sized metal, metal oxide and semiconductor powders. It will also include organic/inorganic and nanobiomaterials. Emphasis will be on particle properties and their use in making nonstructured materials with novel properties. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 560. Structure of Materials
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 550. (3 credits)
Atomic arrangements in crystalline and noncrystalline materials. Crystallography, kinematic and dynamical theories of diffraction, applications to x-rays, electrons and neutrons. Interpretation of diffraction patterns and intensity distributions, applications to scattering in perfect and imperfect crystals and amorphous materials. Continuum description of structure emphasizing the tensor analysis of distortions in solids. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 562. Electron Microscopy I
(4 credits)
An introduction to electron optics, vacuum techniques and the operation of electron optical instruments. The theory and applications of transmission and scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis in the study of nonbiological materials. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 563. (BIOMEDE 563) (CHE 563) Biomolecular Engineering of Interfaces
Prerequisite: senior or graduate standing. (3 credits)
This class focuses on biomolecular engineering of surfaces and interfaces in contact with biological systems. Recent advances in the interfacial design of materials as well as methods that enable studying such systems will be highlighted. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 574. High-Temperature Materials
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 350. (3 credits)
Principles of behavior of materials at high temperatures. Microstructure-property relationships including phase stability and corrosion resistance to high temperature materials. Fracture and fatigue at elevated temperatures. Damage accumulation behavior and engineering applications of service life techniques. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 577 (MFG 577). Failure Analysis of Materials
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 350. (3 credits)
Analysis of failed structures due to tensile overload, creep, fatigue, stress corrosion, wear and abrasion, with extensive use of scanning electron microscope. Identification and role of processing defects in failure. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 583 (BIOMEDE 583) (CHE 583). Biocompatibility of Materials
Prerequisite: undergraduate course in biology and/or physiology; undergraduate course in biochemistry, organic chemistry, or molecular biology. (2 credits)
This course describes the interactions between tissue and materials and the biologic/pathologic processes involved. In addition, specifications which govern biocompatibility testing, various strengths and weaknesses of a number of approaches to testing, and future directions are discussed. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 585. Materials or Metallurgical Design Problem
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 480. (2 credits)
Engineering design and economic evaluation of a specific process and/or materials application. Original and individual work and excellence of reporting emphasized. Written and oral presentation of design required. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 593. Special Topics in Materials Science & Engineering
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. (1-4 credits)
Special topics of interest to graduate students; and, possibly, undergraduate students. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

600 Level Courses

MATSCIE 621 (NERS 621). Nuclear Waste Forms
Prerequisites: NERS 531 (recommended). (3 credits)
This interdisciplinary course will review the materials science of radioactive waste remediation and disposal strategies. The main focus will be on corrosion mechanisms, radiation effects and the long-term durability of glasses and crystalline ceramics proposed for the immobilization and disposal of nuclear waste. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 622 (MFG 622) (NERS 622). Ion Beam Modification and Analysis of Materials
Prerequisite: NERS 421, NERS 521 or MATSCIE 350 or permission of instructor. (3 credits)
Ion-solid interactions, ion beam mixing, compositional changes, phase changes, micro-structural changes; alteration of physical and mechanical properties such as corrosion, wear, fatigue, hardness; ion beam analysis techniques such as RBS, NRA, PIXE, ion channeling, ion microprobe; accelerator system design and operation as it relates to implantation and analysis. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 662. Electron Microscopy II
Prerequisite: MATSCIE 562. (3 credits)
Advanced methods in electron microscopy such as high resolution bright field and dark field imaging, micro and convergent beam diffraction, analysis of thin film specimens and electron energy loss spectroscopy. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory-discussion session per week. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 690. Research Problems in Materials Science and Engineering
(to be arranged)
Laboratory and conferences. Individual or group work in a particular field or on a problem of special interest to the students. The program of work is arranged at the beginning of each term by mutual agreement between the student and a member of the faculty. Any problem in the field of materials and metallurgy may be selected. The student writes a final report on this project. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 693. Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering
(to be arranged)
CourseProfile (ATLAS)

700 Level Courses

MATSCIE 751 (CHE 751) (Chem 751) (MacroSE 751) (Physics 751). Special Topics in Macromolecular Science
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. (2 credits)
Advanced topics of current interest will be stressed. The specific topics will vary with the instructor. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

800 Level Courses

MATSCIE 890. Colloquium in Materials Science and Engineering
(1 credit)
Colloquium presentations covering a variety of topics at the forefront of research and development in materials science and engineering, including design, synthesis, fabrication, characterization and applications of metallic materials, inorganic, electronic, organic, and polymeric materials. Colloquia are delivered by renowned experts in their respective fields from academia, industry and national laboratories. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

900 Level Courses

MATSCIE 990. Dissertation/Pre-Candidate
(2-8 credits); (1-4 credits)
Dissertation work by doctoral student not yet admitted to status as candidate. The defense of the dissertation, that is, the final oral examination, must be held under a full-term candidacy enrollment. CourseProfile (ATLAS)

MATSCIE 995. Dissertation/Candidate
Prerequisite: Graduate School authorization for admission as a doctoral candidate (8 credits); (4 credits)
Election for dissertation work by a doctoral student who has been admitted to candidate status. The defense of the dissertation, that is, the final oral examination, must be held under a full-term candidacy enrollment. CourseProfile (ATLAS)