Materials Area Specialization, M.S. Mechanical Engineering

[Faculty: Drs. Hsin-Piao Chen, Min-Ten Jahn, Parviz Yavari, and Hsien-Yang Yeh]

This emphasis focuses on the study of materials, including metals, plastics, ceramics and composites. Classes and research activities are related to: a) understanding and applying advanced materials; b) developing applications of newer materials to the design and manufacturing of advanced biomedical devices, improved sporting equipment, motor vehicles, and aerospace vehicles.

The program takes advantage of good laboratory equipment such as MTS closed loop hydraulic systems, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive microanalysis system, x-ray diffractometer, and image analysis systems. Advanced topics include: metallurgy, metal and plastic manufacturing processes, structural analysis of composite laminates, creep and fatigue, and engineering principles and properties of plastics.

Undergraduate Background

Students enrolled in the materials area specialization must have taken the following undergraduate courses or their equivalents:

MAE 322, Engineering Materials and Materials Processes
MAE 361, Materials and Properties Laboratory
MAE 373, Mechanics of Deformable Bodies
MAE 374, Mechanical Properties of Materials Laboratory

Requirements (Effective 2007/2008 Catalog Year)

Completion of a minimum of 30 units (for PLAN I) or 36 units (for PLAN II) beyond the bachelor's degree in graduate courses approved by the Department's Graduate Studies Committee, including:

1. A minimum of four (4) courses in the area of Materials.
2. A minimum of two (2) advanced engineering mathematics courses beyond basic calculus, basic differential equations, and linear algebra.
3. A minimum of two (2) technical elective courses selected from approved upper division or graduate courses.
4. Completion of a thesis (6 units of MAE 698 for PLAN I) or a directed research project (6 units of MAE 697 for PLAN II).

PROGRAM UNITS

Requirements	PLAN I	PLAN II
Math	6 units	6 units
Core	12 units	12 units
Electives	6 units	12 units
Thesis or Directed Research	6 units Thesis	6 units Directed Research
Total	30	36

Math: MAE 501,Engineering Analysis I

MAE 502 , Engineering Analysis I

Core Courses: All are 3 units

MAE 527,Metals and Plastics Manufacturing Processes

MAE 529,Structural Analysis of Composite Laminates

MAE 568 , Creep and Fatigue

Electives: Core courses not taken:

MAE 422/522,Composite Materials

MAE 567, Advanced Mechanics of Deformable Bodies

MAE 572,Structural Design Optimization

MAE 669, Design of Composite Structures

MAE 672, Stress Analysis in Design

MAE 673, Theory of Elasticity and Plasticity

Thesis: MAE 698

Directed Research: MAE 697