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Materials Science
Materials science is the study of the structure, properties and applications of all types of materials including metals, ceramics, glasses and polymers. Currently many exciting scientific developments are in the materials field. Notable advances have been made recently in studies of amorphous metals, the quasicrystalline state, liquid crystals, semiconductors, nanostructured materials, high critical temperature superconductors, biomaterials, high strength polymers, materials processing techniques such as ion implantation and laser melting, and in new categories of engineered materials such as advanced industrial ceramics or composite materials.
Materials science is interdisciplinary, drawing on the basic sciences of chemistry and physics and on more applied subjects such as metallurgy, ceramics and polymer science. Its tools and techniques include electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, surface analysis using Auger emission spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, etc.
Introduction to Materials Science, MSE101H1, is designed to appeal to a wide variety of student interests. Other materials science courses are available to students having the prescribed prerequisites and the approval of the Undergraduate Student Counsellor. The specialist program in Materials Science is coordinated jointly by the Departments of Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering. For further information on the program, consult the undergraduate coordinators for both departments.
Materials Science Programs
Materials Science Specialist (Science Program) - ASSPE2424
Consult Professor Andrew Dicks, Department of Chemistry.
This program draws both on the basic sciences of chemistry and physics, and on the more applied areas such as metallurgy or ceramics. Courses dealing with these latter fields are offered through the Department of Materials Science in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. This would be an appropriate program for students with career interests in solid-state, polymer or composite materials industries, or for graduate work in either chemistry or materials science, with an appropriate choice of options. Students may follow the Materials Chemistry path by taking the research course CHM499Y1 or the Materials Science and Engineering path by taking the research course MSE498Y1.
(14.0 credits, including 1.0 credit from 400-series courses)
First Year: BIO120H1, CHM151Y1 (strongly recommended)/( CHM135H1/CHM139H and CHM136H1/CHM138H); ( MAT135H1 and MAT136H1)/ MAT137Y1/ MAT157Y1; MSE120H1
First or Second Year: BIO130H1/ BIO220H1; ( PHY131H1 and PHY132H1)/( PHY151H1 and PHY152H1)
Second Year and Higher Years
- ( CHM220H1/ CHM222H1 and CHM223H1/ MSE202H1), CHM238Y1, CHM247H1/ CHM249H1
- MSE219H1, MSE318H1, MSE335H1
- CHM325H1, CHM327H1, CHM338H1, CHM343H1/ CHM348H1, CHM426H1, CHM434H1
- At least three of the following one of which must be a 400-series: MSE302H1, MSE316H1, MSE343H1, CHM434H1, CHM446H1, MSE415H1, MSE430H1, MSE432H1, MSE440H1, MSE442H1, MSE451H1, MSE458H1, MSE459H1, MSE461H1
- CHM499Y1/ MSE498Y1
Regarding Materials Science Courses
Notes
- The MSE courses below are administered by the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, and are subject to the rules and regulations of that Faculty, including those for term dates, examination periods and deferral practices.
- The CHM courses listed for the Materials Science program are described in the Chemistry section of this Calendar.
- Enrollment in MSE courses is done through your own College Registrar. It is not necessary to petition as the courses listed below have been pre-approved for this Specialist Program.
- Deferment of Final Exams is NOT generally granted in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering.
Materials Science Courses
MSE120H1 - Materials Engineering, Processing and Application
This course covers an introduction to the field of materials science and engineering following a design-led approach. Application areas such as stiffness-limited design, fracture-limited design, strength-limited design will be used to guide further investigations into elements of the processing-structure-properties-performance paradigm. Topics covered will include material property charts, computer-aided design and materials selection, crystallographic planes and directions, crystal structures, stiffness, strength, plasticity, yielding, ductility, fracture and fracture toughness, cyclic loading and fatigue, friction and wear, thermal properties of materials, electrical properties, optical properties, materials corrosion, and materials processing.
MSE219H1 - Structure and Characterization of Materials
Introduction to two and three-dimensional crystallography and crystal structures of solids. Topics include: Pearson and Hermann-Mauguin symbols, reciprocal space, point group and space group symmetry analysis, stereographic projections. Introduction to tensor analysis of crystalline material properties, and symmetry breakdown by imperfections in crystals. Experimental techniques used to interpret structure and chemistry of solids and their defects will be covered theoretically and in the laboratory including: X-ray diffractometry, optical, electron and scanning probe microscopy, and surface/bulk spectroscopies based on optical, X-ray, electron and ion-beam analysis methods.
MSE316H1 - Mechanical Behaviour of Materials
The mechanical behaviour of engineering materials including metals, alloys, ceramics and polymeric materials. The following topics will be discussed: macro- and micro-structural response of materials to external loads; load-displacement and stress-strain relationships, processes and mechanisms of elastic, visco-elastic, plastic and creep deformation, crystallographic aspects of plastic flow, effect of defects on mechanical behaviour, strain hardening theory, strengthening mechanisms and mechanical testing.
MSE318H1 - Phase Transformations
Thermodynamics and phase stability. Free energy diagrams. Phase transformations in unary systems: primary crystallization, amorphization, crystallization of amorphous materials, recrystallization. Phase transformations in binary systems: solidification, precipitation from solid solution, binary invariant reactions. Diffusional transformations, nucleation and growth, diffusionless or martensitic transformations. Second order transformations. Spinodal, massive and order-disorder transformations. Influence of phase transformations on microstructure and properties.
MSE335H1 - Materials Physics
Application of solid state physics to describe properties of materials. Thermal properties of solids: lattice vibrations (phonons), heat capacity, thermal conductivity. Electrical properties of metals: simple circuits, resistivity of metals (classical and quantum descriptions), Seebeck, Peltier, and Thomson effects. Electrical properties of semiconductors: band structure and occupancy, conductivity, Hall effect, simple devices. Electrical properties of insulators: polarization, capacitance, optical properties, ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials. Magnetic properties: diamagnetism and paramagnetism, ferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic materials, magnetic domains, B-H curves.
MSE342H1 - Nanomaterials
An introduction to nanostructured materials. Topics include: the different classes of nanomaterials, synthesis and characterization methods, changes in physical properties on the nanometer scale, areas of application of nanostructured materials and materials issues in nanotechnology. (Quarter term course taught over the entire Fall term, worth .25 credits).
MSE343H1 - Biomaterials
The course will provide an overview of the applications of materials (metals, polymers, ceramics, composites and modified tissue-based materials) for surgical implant fabrication. The important considerations in selection of materials for fabrication of these devices with an introduction to the biological responses expected with implantation will also be discussed. The concept of biocompatibility will be introduced as well as the essential elements of biology related to an understanding of this criterion for biomaterial selection and implant design. (Quarter term course taught over the entire Fall term, worth .25 credits).
MSE351H1 - Design and Sim of Materials Processes
Various phenomena involved in materials processing and design will be modeled using a software package based on the finite element method. Examples will include aspects of solid state diffusion, structural stress, heat transfer, fluid flow and chemical reactions. The problems will involve unsteady state as well as 3 dimensional systems. Multi-physics phenomena such as heating of an electric component by an electric current, resulting in a change in physical properties affecting thermal properties will also be introduced. The main objective of this course is to introduce students to the use of a commercial software package to solve fairly common but complex physical and chemical phenomena related to the materials industry.
MSE430H1 - Electronic Materials
Materials parameters and electronic properties of semiconductors are discussed as basic factors in the engineering of semiconductor devices. Materials parameters are related to preparation and processing methods, and thus to the electronic properties. The implications of materials parameters and properties on selected simple devices are discussed.
MSE440H1 - BIomaterial Processing and Properties
Currently used biomaterials for formation of surgical implants and dental restorations include selected metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites. The selection and processing of these materials to satisfy biocompatibility and functional requirements for applications in selected areas will be presented. Materials used for forming scaffolds for tissue engineering, and strategies for repair, regeneration and augmentation of degenerated or traumatized tissues will be reviewed with a focus on biocompatibility issues and required functionality for the intended applications.
MSE451H1 - Advanced Physical Properties of Structural Nanomaterials
This course deals with the physical properties of bulk nanostructured materials. Included are mechanical properties (elastic behavior, tensile and compressive strength, creep, wear and fatigue properties) electrical properties (electrical transport phenomena, electrical resistivity) magnetic properties (paramagnetic, diamagnetic, soft and hard ferromagnetic, superparamagnetic and antiferromagnetic properties), thermodynamic properties (interfacial enthalpy, thermal stability, phase transformations, heat capacity). The considerable differences observed for nanocrystalline solids compared to conventional polycrystalline and amorphous solids will be discussed in terms of the microstructural differences for these materials.
MSE459H1 - Synthesis of Nanostructured Materials
Various synthesis techniques to produce nanostructured materials will be introduced. These include methods involving the vapor phase (physical and chemical vapor deposition, organometallic chemical vapor deposition), the liquid phase (rapid solidification, spark erosion), the solid phase, (mechanical attrition, equal channel deformation) as well techniques producing these structures from solution (electrodeposition, electroless processing, precipitation). Secondary processing techniques to produce final products or devices will also be discussed.
MSE461H1 - Engineered Ceramics
The unique combinations of physical, electrical, magnetic, and thermomechanical properties exhibited by advanced technical ceramics has led to a wide range of applications including automobile exhaust sensors and fuel cells, high speed cutting tool inserts and ball bearings, thermal barrier coatings for turbine engines, and surgical implants. This course examines the crystal and defect structures which determine the electrical and mass transport behaviours and the effects of microstructure on optical, magnetic, dielectric, and thermomechanical properties. The influence of these structure-property relations on the performance of ceramic materials in specific applications such as sensors, solid oxide fuel cells, magnets, and structural components is explored.
MSE498Y1 - Capstone Project: Design of Materials Processes
The students, working in small groups complete a project involving design of a materials processing plant, leading to a design report delivered at the conclusion of the course. The topics covered in the lectures and design process include basic materials processing flowsheet for primary processing and recycling of materials, materials and energy balance of individual units and of overall process flowsheets, use of computer software for flowsheet evaluation, translating process flowsheets to resource and utility requirements, energy analysis, capital/operating cost, basics of equipment sizing, operation scheduling, safety and HAZOP, plant layout, and design for sustainability.