Program Overview
The Materials Science and Engineering Minor at the University of North Texas provides students with a comprehensive understanding of advancements in this field through formal coursework, practical lab training, and research projects. The program boasts state-of-the-art facilities, qualified faculty, and a supportive learning environment. Students gain expertise in a range of materials, including metals, ceramics, and polymers, preparing them for careers in various industries.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Materials Science and Engineering Minor is a program offered by the University of North Texas. It is an on-campus program that can be completed in 2-3 semesters and requires 18 credit hours. The program aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the exciting advancements being made in the field of Materials Science and Engineering. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering is known for its high caliber, small class sizes, qualified and approachable faculty, and supportive learning environment. The program's mission is to provide a high-quality education to diverse students through excellence and innovation in teaching and research, serving the scientific and engineering needs of Texas and the nation. This is achieved through a balance of formal coursework, practical laboratory training, and research projects that encompass both the basic science and applied aspects of materials science and engineering.
Teaching:
The program boasts having one of the most advanced analytical characterization facilities in the country, allowing students to receive training on state-of-the-art equipment. The department's alumni base is strong, with many serving as mentors to undergraduate students throughout their academic careers. The professors and researchers have expertise in metals, ceramics, polymers, electronic materials, and computational materials science, with many being internationally and nationally recognized for their work. The department supports the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Processes Institute (AMMPI) and the Center for Friction Stir Processing, in addition to numerous research labs including the Materials Research Facility.
Other:
The department occupies approximately 25,000 square feet in UNT's Discovery Park, with about 40,000 square feet of unfinished space for expansion. The program offers a variety of courses, including:
- Bonding and Structure (3 hrs): Covers amorphous and crystalline structures in metals, ceramics, and polymers, point defects in crystals, and structure determination by X-ray diffraction.
- Thermodynamics and Phase Diagrams (3 hrs): Focuses on the first three laws of thermodynamics, phase equilibria, reaction equilibria, and solution theory. It also covers the principles and applications of phase diagrams.
- Electrical, Optical and Magnetic Properties of Materials (3 hrs): Explores bonding and the electronic structure and properties of metallic, ceramic, semiconducting, and polymeric materials.
- Mechanical Properties of Materials (3 hrs): Covers stress, strain, and the basics of concepts in deformation and fracture for metals, polymers, and ceramics. It analyzes important mechanical properties such as plastic flow, creep, fatigue, fracture toughness, and rupture. It also applies these principles to the design of improved materials and engineering structures.
- Materials Processing (3 hrs): Covers the basic principles and strategies for processing metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and electronic materials.
