Materials Engineering Fundamentals - MSE60000

April 22, 2026

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Fundamental relationships between the internal structure, properties and processing in all classes of engineering materials. Comprehensive coverage spanning physical, chemical, thermal, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and optical responses. The course is intended for materials researchers from all backgrounds, as well as engineers working in product design, development and manufacturing who seek a deeper understanding of the full spectrum of engineering materials.

Credit Hours: 3

Instructor(s): Elliott Slamovich

Phone: (765) 494-6853

Email: elliotts@purdue.edu

Learning Objective:

Understand the fundamental basis for materials phenomena in terms of the hierarchy of structures (e.g., atomic, molecular, crystal, grain) and their relations to properties responses and processing. Develop a foundation for advanced studies in materials engineering and related fields.

Description:

Fundamental relationships between the internal structure, properties and processing in all classes of engineering materials. Comprehensive coverage spanning physical, chemical, thermal, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and optical responses. The course is intended for materials researchers from all backgrounds, as well as engineers working in product design, development and manufacturing who seek a deeper understanding of the full spectrum of engineering materials.

Topics Covered:

  1. Introduction, bonding and crystal structure
  2. Non-crystalline and molecular structure
  3. Mechanical properties (elastic)
  4. Mechanical properties (plastic and time-dependent)
  5. Fracture of materials
  6. Diffusion
  7. Phase equilibrium and phase diagrams
  8. Kinetics and phase transformations
  9. Metal alloys and processing
  10. Processing of glasses and ceramics
  11. Processing of polymers
  12. Composites
  13. Electrical properties
  14. Thermal properties
  15. Magnetic properties
  16. Optical properties

Prerequisites:

Graduate standing

Applied / Theory:

50 / 50

Web Address:

http://mycourses.purdue.edu/

Web Content:

Syllabus, Homework assignments and solutions.
Blackboard is available to registered students only and will open just before the start of the semester.

Homework:

Weekly assignments, but not graded.

Projects:

None

Exams:

There will be two midterm exams (30%) and one comprehensive final exam (40%)

Textbooks:

Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction, William D. Callister, Jr., 8th edition is the textbook. The 7th, 9th and 10th editions are acceptable, but Homework comes from 8th ed (but homework is not graded). Additional readings will be provided when necessary.