Mar 28, 2024  
2009-2010 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2009-2010 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Materials Science and Engineering


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http://www.engr.utk.edu/mse/

George M. Pharr, Head

Professors
Benson, R.S., PhD - Florida State
Bhat, G.S., PhD - Georgia Tech
Dahotre, N.B., PhD - Michigan State
Egami, T., PhD - Pennsylvania
George, E.P., PhD - Pennsylvania
Joy, D.C., DPhil - Oxford (UK)
Liaw, P.K., PhD - Northwestern
Lundin, C.D., PhD - Rensselaer Polytechnic
McHargue, C.J., PhD - Kentucky
Melcher, C., PhD - Washington
Nieh, T.G., PhD - Stanford
Pharr, G.M., PhD, PE - Stanford
Simpson, M.L., PhD - Tennessee
 
Associate Professors
Choo, H., PhD - Illinois Institute of Technology
Duscher, G., PhD - Rer. Nat. University of Stuttgart
Hu, B., PhD - Chinese Academy of Sciences
Kalyanaraman, R., PhD - North Carolina State
Keppens, V., PhD - Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium)
Kit, K., PhD - Delaware
Meek, T.T., PhD - Ohio State
Morris, J.R., PhD - Cornell
Rack, P.D., PhD - Florida
 
Assistant Professors
Gao, Y., PhD - Princeton
He, W., PhD - Connecticut
Rawn, C.J., PhD - Arizona
Wang, S., PhD - Akron
 
Emeriti Faculty
 
Fellers, J.F., PhD - Akron
Spruiell, J.E., PhD - Tennessee
Wadsworth, L.C., PhD - North Carolina State

Materials science and engineering is concerned with the science and technology needed to develop and apply materials for the benefit of society. The undergraduate program is designed to prepare students to undertake materials science and engineering careers or to enter graduate programs in this or related disciplines. The following specific educational objectives were established in consultation with our students, faculty, potential employers, and alumni to assure that students are well prepared to undertake careers or graduate programs and that our students graduate with an undergraduate education that will sustain them for their lifetime.

During the initial stages of their careers, graduates will be prepared to

  • Apply knowledge of the fundamentals of physical and chemical sciences, mathematics, and engineering sciences in the practice of materials science and engineering or in advanced professional studies.
  • Design components, systems, or processes and/or select materials for specific applications with consideration of economic, safety, environmental, and social issues.
  • Apply professional skills in such areas as communication, problem solving, and experience in working in diverse teams, to the practice of materials engineering in contemporary and global environs.
  • Use the general education component of their education for the appreciation of cultural and social values, for understanding the impact of engineering solutions on society, and for personal development.

These educational objectives are consistent with the mission statement of the university. They particularly relate to “commitment to the development of individuals and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit.” They are consistent with EAC/ABET General Criteria to assure quality and stimulate improvement.

The field of materials science and engineering is quite broad, encompassing metallic, ceramic and polymeric materials, as well as composites made from combinations of materials and specialty application areas such as electronic and optical materials.

Consequently the curriculum contains a central core of courses that are applicable to all materials types with flexibility in the upper division years to permit concentration and in-depth coverage of specific materials categories. By judicious choice of electives the student may get a broad perspective or may develop a specialty area.

A minimum of 18 semester-hours of general education courses are required by all engineering degree programs in order to meet the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, General Education goals. (See The University General Education Requirement  section). The major in materials science and engineering specifically requires ECON 201  (taken as one of the two courses required in the Social Sciences cluster); any two approved courses under the Arts or Humanities cluster; and any two approved courses under the Cultures and Civilizations cluster. The requirement for three courses in writing communication may be filled by ENGL 101  and ENGL 102  plus MSE 405  (or other approved writing intensive course). The requirement for one course in communicating orally may be filled with MSE 489  (or other approved communicating orally course).

Graduation in materials science and engineering requires a minimum grade point average of 2.0 for all departmental courses.

Progression to Upper-Division Programs

Progression of students to departmental upper-division courses is competitive. Factors considered include overall grade point average, performance in selected lower-division courses and evidence of satisfactory and orderly progress through the prescribed curriculum.

Upper-Division Status

A lower-division student formally applies for upper-division status after completing 50 hours of lower-division engineering curriculum course work with an overall GPA of at least 2.4. This must include Materials Science and Engineering 201.

Provisional Status

Students who have completed 50 hours of lower-division engineering curriculum course work with an overall GPA between 2.0 and 2.4 may apply for provisional status. The granting of provisional upper-division status is based on the availability of space in the departmental programs after upper-division status students have been accommodated. Provisional students are required to demonstrate their ability to perform satisfactorily in upper-division courses by attaining a minimum GPA of 2.0 in at least 8 hours of 300-level required courses specified by the department. Further progression to upper-division courses is dependent upon this minimum level of performance.

Transfer Students

At the upper-division level students are admitted on a provisional status basis only. Any student presenting more than 28 hours of lower-division engineering curriculum course work by transfer credit is considered to be a transfer student.

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