Course Descriptions
Both the mandatory core courses and
elective courses need to be taken.
The mandatory core courses described below are required for
completion of the progam's graduate degrees. These
mandatory & elective core courses provide the basis for
the comprehensive exam.
The program electives core are courses that students may take in conjunction with their particular research focus. These courses are offered at various times throughout the academic year. Please see the current class schedule for details.
Core CoursesMANDATORY CORE COURSES -
Thermodynamics (MATS 201A), Solid State Diffusion &
Kinetics (MATS 201B), Phase Transformations (MATS 201C),
Structure and Analysis of Solids (MATS 227)
ELECTIVE CORE COURSES (to select 2 out of
6) - Imperfections in Solids (MATS 205A), Condensed Matter
Physics (PHYS 152A), Biomaterials (MATS 252), Nanomaterials
and Properties (MATS 253), Electronic and Phontonic
Properties of Materials (MATS 251A), Magnetic Materials:
Principles and Applications (MATS 251B)
200. Graduate Seminar (0 units)
(satisfactory/unsatisfactory grades only) (Fall, Winter,
Spring). Each graduate student in the Materials
Science and Engineering Program is expected to attend a
weekly seminar in materials science or related areas.
Master's students must enroll for three quarters, Ph.D.
students for six quarters.
201A. Thermodynamics of Solids (4 units). The thermodynamics and statistical mechanics of solids. Basic concepts, equilibrium properties of alloy systems, thermodynamic information from phase diagrams, surfaces and interfaces, crystalline defects. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (Cross-listed with MAE271A, ECE238)
201B. Solid State Diffusion and Reaction Kinetics (4 units). Thermally activated processes, Boltzman factor, homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions, solid state diffusion, Fick's laws, diffusion mechanisms, Kirkendall effect, Boltzman-Matano analysis, high diffusivity paths. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (Cross-listed with MAE271B, ECE238B)
201C. Phase Transformations (4 units). Classification of phase transformations: displacive and reconstructive transformations: classical and non-classical theories of nucleation: Becker-Doering, Volmer-Weber, lattice instabilities, spinodal decomposition. Growth theories: interface migration, stress effects, terrace-ledge mechanisms, epitaxial growth, coherence effects. Martensitic transformations: crystallography, thermodynamics, kinetics, and mechanics. Precipitation. Order-disorder transformations. Solidification. Amorphization. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
205A. Imperfections in Solids (4 units). Point, line, and planar defects in crystalline solids, including vacancies, self-interstitials, solute atoms, dislocations, stacking faults, and grain boundaries; effects of imperfections on mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties; interactions of dislocations with point defects; hardening by localized obstacles, and precipitation and dispersion hardened alloys. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (Cross-listed with MAE272, ECE234A)
227. Structure and Analysis of Solids (4 units). The atomic structure and bonding of solids such as metals, ceramics and semiconductors. Symmetry operations, point groups, lattice types and space groups will be covered. Simple and complex inorganic compounds will be studied and structure/property comparisons will be made. Structure determination with X-ray diffraction will be discussed. Ionic, covalent and metallic bonding will be analyzed and compared with physical properties. Atomic and molecular orbitals, bands vs. bonds, free electron theory and other topics will be discussed.
251A. Electronic and Photonic Properties of Materials (4 units). The electronic and optical properties of metals, semiconductors, and insulators. The concept of the band structure. Electronic and lattice conductivity. Type I and Type II superconductivity. Optical engineering using photonic band gap crystals in one-,two- and three-dimensions. Current research frontiers. Prerequisites: Consent of the Instructor (Cross Listed with MAE 265A)
251B. Magnetic Materials: Principles and Applications (4 units). The basis of magnetism: Classical and quantum mechanical points of view. Different kinds of magnetic materials. Magnetic phenomena including anisotropy, magnetostriction, domains and magnetization dynamics. Current frontiers of nano-magnetics research including thin films and particles. Optical, data storage and biomedical engineering applications of soft and hard magnetic materials. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor. (Cross Listed with MAE 2658)
252. Biomaterials (4 units). This class will cover biomaterials and biomimetic materials. Metal, ceramic and polymer biomaterials will be discussed. Emphasis will be on the structure-property relationships, biocompatibility/degradation issues and tissue/material interactions. Synthesis and mechanical testing of biomimetic materials will also be discussed. Prerequisites consent of instructor. (Cross-listed with MAE 266)
253. Nanomaterials and Properties (4 units). This course discusses synthesis techniques, processing, micro structural control and unique physical properties of materials in nano-dimensions. Topics include nanowires, quantum dots, thin films, electrical transport, electron emission properties, optical behavior, mechanical behavior, and technical applications of nanomaterials. Prerequisites consent of instructor. (Cross-listed with MAE 267)
Phys 152. Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics (4 units). Crystal symmetry, free electron gas, band structure, properties of insulators, semiconductors and metals; atomic diffusion, alloys, eelectric transport phenomena.
207. Surface Reactions, Corrosion and Oxidation (4 units). The nature of surfaces; nucleation and growth of surface films. Techniques for studies of surface structures and of surface films. Types of corrosion phenomena and mechanisms of corrosion. Methods of corrosion control and prevention. Mechanisms of oxidation. Control of oxidation by alloying and surface coatings. Prerequisite: MS 201A or consent of instructor.
211A. Mechanical Properties (4 units). Review of basic concepts in mechanics of deformation; elasticity, plasticity, viscoelasticity and creep; effects of temperature and strain-rate on inelastic flow; microstructure and mechanical properties; application of basic concepts to selected advanced materials. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (Cross listed with MAE229)
213A. Dynamic Behavior of Materials I (4 units). Elastic waves in continuum; longitudinal and shear waves. Surface waves. Plastic waves; shock waves; Rankine-Hugoniot relations. Method of characteristics, differential and difference form of conservation equations; dynamic plasticity and dynamic fracture. Shock wave reflection and interaction. Prerequisite: consent of the Professor. (Cross listed with 273A)
225. Materials for Magnetic Recording (4 units). Magnetic properties of small particles and thin films. Origin of magnetic anisotropy. Switching behavior. Magnetopics. Effect of surfaces on magnetic properties. Prerequisite: MS 221 or consent of instructor. (Cross listed with ECE246A)
233A,B. Processing and Synthesis of Advanced Materials (4 units). Rapid solidification processing of metals and ceramics. Production of composites. Directionally solidified eutectics. Combustion synthesis. Sol-gel synthesis of ceramics. Mechanical alloying. Shock-wave synthesis and processing. Thin film techniques. Laser glazing. Electron beam mixing. Molecular beam epitaxy. Superplastic processing. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (Crosslisted with MAE276A, B)
240A. Scanning Electron Microscopy (4 units). Electron optics, electron-beam-specimen interactions. Image formation in the SEM. The role of specimen and detector in contrast formation. Imaging strategies. X-ray spectral measurements. Qualitative and quantitative x-ray microanalysis. Materials specimen preparation. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
240B. Transmission Electron Microscopy (4 units). Operation and calibration of the TEM, lens defects and resolution, formation of images and diffraction patterns, electron diffraction theory (kinematical dynamical), indexing diffraction patterns, the fine structure in diffraction patterns, diffraction contrast. Quantitative analysis of crystal defects, phase contrast, and specimen preparation. Prerequisite: MS 240A or consent of instructor.
243 Modern Materials Analysis (4 units). Analysis of the near surface of materials via ion, electron, and x-ray spectroscopes. Topics to be covered include particle solid interactions. Rutherford Backscattering, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, particle induced x-ray emission, Auger electron spectroscopy, extended x-ray absorption fine structure and channeling. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor.
254. MEMS Materials, Fabrication and Applications (4 units). Fabrication of Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) by bulk and surface micro machining of single crystal, polycrystal and amorphous silicon and other materials. Performance issues including electrostatic, magnetic, piezoelectric actuations, residual stresses, deformation. Novel device applications, future trends are smart materials and Nano-Electro-Mechanical (NEMS) systems. Prerequisites consent of instructor. (Cross-listed with MAE 268)
295 Research Conference (2 units). Group discussion of research activities and progress of group members. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor.
296. Independent Study (4 units). Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
299. Graduate Research (1-12 units). S/U (satisfactory/unsatisfactory) grades only.
Related Electives
Subject to the approval of a faculty advisor, students may
also choose from the following courses offered by various
other departments participating in the Materials Science
Program. Course descriptions can be found in the UCSD's
General Catalog.
Courses from Mechanical and
Aerospace Engineering (MAE)
MAE 229A Mechanical Properties (4) See MATS 211A
MAE 229B Advanced Mechanical Behavior (4)
MAE 231A. Foundations of Solid Mechanics (4)
MAE 231B. Elasticity (4)
MAE 232A,B,C. Finite-Element Methods in Solid Mechanics
(4)
MAE 233A. Mechanics of Composite Materials (4)
MAE 233B. Micromechanics (4)
MAE 233C. Fracture Mechanics (4)
MAE 238. Stress Waves in Solids (4)
MAE 251. Thermodynamics (4)
MAE 256. Rheology of Fluids (4)
Electrical and Computer
Engineering (ECE)
ECE 230A,B,C. Solid State Electronics (4)
ECE 237. Modern Materials Analysis (4)
ECE 246A. Physics/Magnetic Recording Materials (4)
Physics
PHYS 133/219 Condensed Matter/Materials Science Laboratory
(2)
PHYS 152B/232 Electronic Materials
PHYS 211A Solid-State Physics (5)
PHYS 211B Solid-State Physics (4)
Various other courses from Bioenginnering department, Chemistry and Biochemistry department, Structural Engineering department, the School of Biological sciences may also be taken depending on individual interests and thesis topics.