I. INTRODUCTION
II. ADVISING
Ill. UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

A. Engineering First
B. Mathematics
C. Basic Science
D. Basic Engineering
E. Materials Science and Engineering Major

1. Regulations
2. Required Courses
3. Technical Electives
4. Senior Project
5. Honors Program
6. Business Basics Certificate
7. BS/MS Program

Sample Course Sequence
Sample Course Sequence - COOP
Yearly Course Schedule - 20007/08
Areas of Concentration

IV. ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND THINGS WE WANT YOU TO KNOW

Keeping the department informed
Materials Science Club and listserv
Mailboxes
Keys
Academic honesty
Safety
ABET accreditation
Photographs
Employment
When leaving

I. Introduction

This information has been gathered to assist you in planning your education as a major in Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern, expanding on the department program as presented in the current Undergraduate Study Catalog. Students are also referred to opportunities and responsibilities resulting from affiliation with the department. These regulations govern students entering McCormick in 2003-2004 or later. Students entering earlier may elect to follow versions in effect when they enrolled..

II. ADVISING

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering assigns a faculty adviser to each entering class; the adviser stays with students in that class throughout the entire course of their studies at Northwestern (4 or 5 years). Beyond assisting with course selections, the adviser can be helpful in career choices (temporary or permanent employment, graduate studies) because of the close relationship developed over the years. Current advisers are listed below, with office and telephone numbers.

Freshman (2011) Prof. Kenneth Shull
Cook 2083; Ext. 7-1752

Sophomores (2010) Prof. David Dunand
Cook 1129; Ext. 1-5370

Juniors (2009) Prof. Yip-Wah Chung
Catalysis Center 205; Ext. 1-1332

Seniors (2008) Prof. Lincoln Lauhon
Cook 3017; Ext 1-2232

5-Year Seniors (2007) Prof. Greg Olson
Cook 2019, Ext. 1-2847

III. THE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

The curriculum is built around the sixteen courses presented for the major in Materials Science and Engineering. Links to representative schedules for four year and five year (Cooperative Education) programs are provided at the end of this section. Recommendations and requirements for various parts of the 48 course sequence are outlined below.

Courses in Mathematics, Basic Sciences, Basic Engineering and Computer Programming, taken mainly during the first two years of study, are overlapped with a building sequence of Materials core courses beginning in the second year. The required and recommended courses have been selected to give students a broad exposure to various aspects of engineering and the natural sciences, at the same time providing a firm background for the Materials Science and Engineering courses which integrate basic science and engineering design. These courses and the Sample Course Sequences have been assembled with careful attention to prerequisites, laboratory sections, class meeting conflicts, distribution of electives, etc. If changes from these are desired (because of special interests of the student) or required (because of advanced placement or transfer into Materials Science and Engineering from another major), the student and adviser should be aware that complications may arise.

A. Engineering First - Seven courses are required:

GEN ENG 106-1,2 Engineering Design and Communication
GEN ENG205-1,2,3,4 Engineering Analysis
GEN SPCH 102 Public Speaking; or
GEN SPCH 103 Analysis and Performance of Literature

B. Mathematics - The four mathematics courses to be taken are:

MATH 220, 224, 230, 234 Calculus
MATH 234 Multiple Integration and Vector Calculus

C. Basic Sciences - The following four courses are to be taken:

CHEM 102 General and Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM103 General and Physical Chemistry
[CHEM 101 must be taken as an unrestricted elective]

or

CHEM 171 Honors General and Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 172 Honors General and Physical Chemistry
[Placement by AP or Chem Exam counts as an unrestricted elective]

and

PHYSICS 135- 2, 3 General Physics

D. Basic Engineering - The following three courses are required:

Materials Science

MAT SCI 301 Materials Science Principles

Thermodynamics

MAT SCI 314 Thermodynamics of Materials
MAT SCI 315 Phase Equilibria and Diffusion in Materials

In addition, one of the following two courses must be taken to provide an adequate background in mechanics of fluids and solids. Prerequisites are given within brackets for your convenience. Since this information is subject to change, however, please confirm with the appropriate department.

Fluids and Solids

CIV ENG 216 Mechanics of Materials I [CIV ENG 212 or GEN ENG 205-2]

CIV ENG 219 Continuum Mechanics I [PHYSICS 135-1, MATH 217]

One additional course is needed to fulfill the five-course basic engineering requirements of the McCormick School of Engineering and must be taken from one of the following areas: Electrical Science; Systems Engineering and Analysis; Computer Architecture and Numeric Methods; Computer Programming; or Probability, Statistics, and Quality Control. From considerations of prerequisites, availability and suitability for majors in Materials Science and Engineering, the following courses are recommended. This list is advisory only, and in no way precludes other offerings in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Electrical Science:

ECE 202 (Lab) Intro to Electrical Engineering [GEN ENG 205-3]

ECE 270 (Lab) Applications of Electronic Devices [PHYSICS 135-2, MATH 224]

Systems Engineering and Analysis:

IE MS 326 Economics and Finance for Engineers [MATH 234]

Computer Architecture and Numeric Methods:

ECE 203 (Lab) Introduction to Computer Engineering

Probability, Statistics and Quality Control:

IEMS 201 Introduction to Statistics
MECH ENG 359 Reliability Engineering [GEN ENG 205-4]

During their senior year, students are encouraged to take the "Fundamentals of Engineering" examination required for registration as a Professional Engineer (PE). To prepare for this examination, it is recommended that courses be taken in the areas of Electronic Circuits, Engineering Economics, and Fluid Mechanics (e.g., Mech Eng 241 or Chem Eng 321) either as Basic Engineering or unrestricted electives.

E. Materials Science and Engineering Major (16 courses)

1. Regulations Governing the Major Program

a. The student and adviser must develop a major program, including an area of concentration (five technical electives), no later than two quarters prior to graduation. This must be approved by the Associate Chairman, Prof. Ken Shull. (See section 3 below.) While changes in the courses offered for the area of concentration are permitted, these should be approved immediately by the Associate Chairman. Failure to do so may possibly result in disapproval of the program offered by the student for graduation.

b. Only one (1) course of the five technical electives may be taken on a Pass/No Credit (P/N) basis. That one course may not be a Materials Science and Engineering course. In addition, no more than one 399 may be counted.

c. The grade point average of the 16 courses presented to satisfy the major in Materials Science and Engineering must be at least 2.00. Further, no more than one of the sixteen may carry a grade of P (see paragraph b above) and no more than two may carry a grade of D.

2. Required Courses (eleven)
In approximate order in which they are taken, these are:

MAT SCI 316-1,2 Microstructural Dynamics

MAT SCI 332 Mechanical Behavior of Solids

MAT SCI 331 Soft Materials

MAT SCI 351-1,2 Introductory Physics of Materials

MAT SCI 361 Crystallography and Diffraction

MAT SCI 390 Materials Design

MAT SCI 391 Process Design

MAT SCI 396-1,2 Senior Project

3. Technical Electives (five)

These are to be chosen in a consistent manner to constitute an area of concentration under the general heading of Materials Science and Engineering.

Examples of course combinations for some representative areas of concentration (Biomaterials, Design and Manufacturing, Electronic Materials, Metals and Ceramics, Nanomaterials, Polymeric Materials, Surface Science) are given in the link. Students and advisers are reminded that these are examples only, and do not indicate required programs. Students may modify these published examples or create entirely new areas, depending on their interests. The student and adviser are encouraged to consult other faculty members whose expertise may assist in creating the area of concentration.

The primary requirement is that the selection of five technical electives indeed form a coherent area of concentration built around at least two 300-level Mat Sci courses. The remaining courses may be in other engineering disciplines, natural sciences (normally chemistry or physics) and/or mathematics. No more than two of the remaining five courses may be 200-level courses. Only one course may be a 399. Only one of the non-MSE may be taken pass/fail.

This combination of technical electives must be approved by the Associate Chairman (Prof. Ken Shull). As many of the electives are offered in alternate years, it is especially desirable to plan your elective program prior to the Junior year. To avoid last minute confusion, submit an Area of Concentration Form to the Associate Chairman no later than spring quarter of the junior year (or equivalent).

It is highly recommended that students include advanced mathematics among their technical electives. Some courses appropriate for the Materials Science and Engineering major are (prerequisites are in brackets):

MATH 305* Complex Variables [MATH 221 or EA-4]

ES APPM 3ll-1, 2, 3* Methods of Applied Mathematics
(*MATH 305 and ES APPM 3ll-3 may not both be presented for departmental requirements)

Materials Science and Engineering offers many 300-level courses that should be considered when planning the five technical electives of the major, such as:

MAT SCI 318 Materials Selection
MAT SCI 333 Composite Materials
MAT SCI 336 Chemical Synthesis of Materials
MAT SCI 341 Introduction to Modern Ceramics [MAT SCI 316 or instructor permission]
MAT SCI 355 Electronic Materials MAT SCI 351-1 or ECE 381]
MAT SCI 360 Introduction to Electron Microscopy [MAT SCI 201 and PHYSICS 135-1,2,3 or equivalent]
MAT SCI 362 Point, Line, and Planar Imperfections MAT SCI 201; MATH 212]
MAT SCI 370 Biomaterials
MAT SCI 376 Nanomaterials
MAT SCI 380 Introduction to Surface Science and Spectroscopy [MAT SCI 351-1]
MAT SCI 399 Special Problems in Materials Science (only one of these may be taken to fulfill departmental requirements)

Graduate Courses. Under special circumstances, undergraduates may take graduate (400-level) Materials Science and Engineering courses as part of the major program. Advance permission from the student's adviser, the course instructor, and the Department Chairman is required.

4. The Senior Project (Mat Sci 396)

This is a required two quarter sequence, normally taken during the Winter and Spring Quarters of the Senior Year. For 2007-08, the instructor for MAT SCI 396 is Dr. Kathleen Stair. In this course you will work on a suitable undergraduate research/design project under the direction of a MSE faculty member who will be your project supervisor. The general format of the course is as follows: Topics are selected during the Fall Quarter of the Senior Year. Project activity starts during the Winter Quarter, together with weekly meetings of the 396 class. Various written and oral reports of progress are required during this first quarter. Work is completed and the report written during the second quarter. All 396 students present brief (ca. 20 minute) summaries of their projects at a special seminar attended by MSE faculty and students.

a. Project Topic. This is normally selected from a list supplied by the 396 instructor. If a student has an idea for a topic not offered, he should consult the 396 instructor and other faculty who might be able to assist in the proposed topic. The project topic need not have direct relevance to the area of concentration, though this is usually the case.

b. During the early stages of project work in the Winter Quarter, students may apply for financial assistance (maximum of $200) from the Sarah Boley Undergraduate Research Fund. A specific proposal must be submitted; contact the 396 instructor and Dean Carr for details. MAT SCI 396 provides a natural method for competing for the Harold Benedict Gotaas Undergraduate Research Award. Be advised that a written account of the research must be submitted to Dean Carr by mid-May, which is normally earlier than the deadline for the finished report.

c. Proper referencing is particularly important in the Senior Project (MAT SCI 396), where undergraduates participate in original research. It is of crucial importance to cite correctly the ideas and results of others. Your instructor in MAT SCI 396 (or in any other course where papers or lab reports may bring up this question) will assist you.

d. The format for the written report is supplied by the 396 instructor. An "original" copy of the final corrected report containing good quality photographs, etc. (where appropriate), must be supplied to the Department. The Department can supply a photocopy of this for the student.

5. The Honors Program

The student must apply for admission to the Honors Program during the Junior or Pre-Senior year (with a 3.50 GPA at the time of admission). The Associate Chairman coordinates the Honors Program. Honors students complete a three-quarter research project, registering for one unit of 394, Honors Project, before registering for two quarters of 396.

In addition, honors students must take three units of approved advanced study with a grade average of B or better from the following list of Materials Science courses:

318 Materials Selection
333 Composite Materials
336 Chemical Synthesis of Materials
341 Intro to Modern Ceramics
355 Electronic Materials
360 Intro to Electron Microscopy
362 Point, Line, and Planar Imperfections
370 Biomaterials
376 Nanomaterials
380 Intro to Surface Science and Spectroscopy
395 Special Topics
401 Analytical and Statistical Thermodynamics of Materials

Other 400-level courses may be approved by the Associate Chairman.

6. Business Basics Certificate

Since many McCormick graduates choose to enter the business world, McCormick offers a Business Basics Certificate for Engineers when required work experience and additional coursework are completed.

Students must also write a two- to four-page Industry Experience Report on the preparation for a business-oriented career. This report must be approved by the Faculty Steering Committee for the awarding of this Certificate.

7. BS/MS Program

The department participates in the McCormick BS/MS program described in the Appendix. Students may extend their 396 Senior Project into a Masters Thesis to satisfy the requirements of this program. Students should consult with Joe Holtgreive in the Dean's Office and their MSE adviser and/or the Associate Chairman to determine if the program is suitable. The decision should be made two quarters before registration for the last course required for the BS degree. Note that undergraduate financial aid is available for 12 quarters or through the completion of the requirements for the BS degree, whichever is first. In some cases the department has been able to find funding for the thesis research.

IV. ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND THINGS WE WANT YOU TO KNOW

A. Address and Telephone Numbers. Be sure that both your adviser and the Department Office have current local mailing addresses and telephone numbers. These are needed occasionally for important communications. Coop students should supply off-campus addresses.

B. Undergraduate Materials Science Club (MSC). The MSC is the undergraduate branch of the Materials Science Student Association (MSSA), a joint chapter of the ASM/TMS professional materials societies. It is a great opportunity to find out more about the department, your fellow students, advising, and careers in MSE. Past events have included informal mixers with the faculty, short talks by the faculty about their interests, attendance at local chapter meetings of various professional societies, and plant trips. Undergraduates are encouraged to participate. To get in touch with Club officers, contact the MSE office for a phone list. There is also a listserv for undergrads. The Club's Faculty adviser for 2004-06 is Dr. Kathleen Stair.

C. Mailboxes for undergraduates are located in the Teaching Lab, Cook 2068. This is open from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. during the week. Department announcements, etc. will be distributed through the mailboxes, so students should check them regularly (at least weekly)

D. Keys for the Cook Hall, the MSE Teaching Lab, and the numerical code for the Bodeen Design Studio (Tech C115) are available to majors completing MAT SCI 315, and to others engaged in freshman or sophomore research or work study with MSE professors. A $15 refundable key deposit is required. See Peggy Adamson in the Department Office.

E. Plagiarism and Academic Honesty. The Materials Science and Engineering department adheres to the University policy on academic honesty and integrity (see http://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/undergraduate/academicintegrity.html ). The department permits and encourages students to discuss lectures and homework as a part of the learning process. For most homework assignments, this means that students may discuss approaches to solving problems. However, the final solutions and written preparation must be done independently. Assignments that are nearly identical or copied may be considered the result of academic dishonesty. Some class assignments, such as team project reports, may involve a different policy on collaboration; in such cases, this will be stated explicitly by the instructor. In general, you should not copy or paraphrase text from other reports written this year or any previous year. All sources of information utilized in writing a report should be acknowledged; failure to do so constitutes plagiarism. Help by other students or the TA in acquiring or analyzing data or writing a report should be suitably acknowledged in the report.

Participation in departmental ethics seminars (or other formats) sponsored by the Materials Science Club is strongly encouraged.

F. Safety. Many of the courses in Materials Science and Engineering have laboratory exercises to provide meaningful practical experience, and the Senior Project normally involves extensive laboratory work. The course instructor, teaching assistants, and/or research supervisor will instruct you as to safe procedures. Special instructions on lab safety should be provided to students by the faculty member or safety contact of the research group before beginning laboratory work for the Senior Project. You are cautioned that, despite the best instruction, safe practices originate with the student. Use common sense! When in doubt about a procedure, ask before you execute!

Cook Hall has special fire and hazardous materials voice alarms that must be obeyed. During regular working hours, safety wardens are on duty. Follow their instructions. After hours the building must be evacuated in an alarm. If possible, do an orderly shutdown of equipment, close fume hoods and lock the lab door as you leave.

G. Accreditation. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering is approved by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology. ABET accreditation, which is administered on a national basis, means (among other things) that the time spent in undergraduate study at Northwestern helps meet the requirements for registration as a Professional Engineer (PE).

H. Photographs of undergraduates are posted in the Department Office. To have your photo included on the board, see Peggy Adamson in the office.

I. Employment. All the faculty in the Department are active in research. Their research labs provide opportunities for undergraduates to participate in some of the exciting new developments in Materials Science and Engineering and earn (modest) income. Students interested in such part-time employment (academic year) or full time summer jobs should notify their advise and particular faculty about interest and availability. (Or, e-mail Peggy Adamson at p-adamson@northwestern.edu with research interests and availability and the information will be forwarded to faculty.) Note: Students taking MAT SCI 399 or MAT SCI 394 or MAT SCI 396 may not receive financial compensation for this work.

J. When leaving Northwestern after graduation, please supply the Department Office with information as to future job or study plans and a mailing address, and complete the Department and McCormick Exit Surveys. The Department sends an annual newsletter to alumni who keep their addresses current with NU. Return any keys you have been issued for a refund of your key deposit.