National Academies Press: OpenBook

Materials and Man's Needs: Materials Science and Engineering -- Volume III, The Institutional Framework for Materials Science and Engineering (1975)

Chapter: Appendix C: History of the Development of Interdisciplinary Materials Research Centers

« Previous: Appendix B: Some Examples of New Materials-Science Curricula
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: History of the Development of Interdisciplinary Materials Research Centers." National Research Council. 1975. Materials and Man's Needs: Materials Science and Engineering -- Volume III, The Institutional Framework for Materials Science and Engineering. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10438.
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following:

1. Student with Chemistry-Physics emphasis (assuming B.S. in Chemistry)

Core courses

17 credits

Topics in Physical Chemistry or Organic Synthesis

3

Chemical Thermodynamics

3

Mechanical Properties of Materials

3

Solid State

3

Advanced Engineering Math.

3

Microscopy and Morphology of Polymers

3

Seminar

4

Total

39

2. Student with Engineering Emphasis (assuming B.S. in Chemical Engineering)

Core courses

17 credits

Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics

3–6

Advanced Chemical Engineering Calculations

3–6

Transport Phenomena

3

Chemical Reactor Design

3

Electronics Instrumentation

4

Seminar

4

Total

36–42

d. University No. 73 Name:

Solid State Sciences

(Total Ph.D.’s so far______)

Enrollment about 60

In the area of solid-state sciences, there are some 15 faculty about evenly distributed among four departments: Aerospace and Mechanical Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, and Physics, and there are about 60 graduate students, All but three of the faculty are physicists and most of the graduate students are either physics or chemistry majors. There is a wide choice of graduate courses among those offered by the various departments which permits crossing of the usual departmental boundaries. For instance, one can take “Solid State Theory” in Physics, “Physical Chemistry” in Chemistry, “Lattice Defects” in Aerospace and Mechanical Sciences,and “Surface Physics of Semiconductors and Insulators” in the Electrical Engineering Department. The structure and organization of the general examinations (partly written and partly oral) in the A.M.S. Department for the students in the solid-state area is as follows: The students take a one-day (written) General Physics Examination in the Physics Department followed later by interviews with the faculty and a General Examination (oral) covering usually Mathematics, Thermodynamics, Electricity and Magnetism, Statistical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, and Solid-State Theory. Substitution of such fields as Advanced Physical Chemistry or Solid-State Electronics is encouraged. Faculty from various departments participate in this Examination. All students are

Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: History of the Development of Interdisciplinary Materials Research Centers." National Research Council. 1975. Materials and Man's Needs: Materials Science and Engineering -- Volume III, The Institutional Framework for Materials Science and Engineering. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10438.
×

required to start independent research early in the first semester in one of the areas of interest to the departmental faculty as indicated in the enclosed sheet. This choice does not affect the choice of the thesis subject.

e. University No. 97 Name:

Materials Science and Engineering

(Total Ph.D.’s so far: 14; M.S.’s: 14)

Enrollment about 15

The present program was adopted by the School of Engineering and Applied Science in 1966.

The prime objectives of the program are to provide a graduate-level education in the engineering aspects of structural materials to as broad a spectrum of undergraduates as possible and also to provide a framework for industrial participation in academic programs. The general philosophy has been to maintain as flexible an arrangement as possible on course work and degree requirements and also to provide research opportunities that will develop an interest in engineering problems associated with technologically important structural materials.

Students with an interest in materials are funneled into the program through the sponsoring departments. Program faculty members then determine the academic program that best fits the individual student. An essential feature is that the program is small enough so that each student is able to choose a course of study that is best suited to his interests and research needs.

We feel this program represents a successful interdisciplinary approach to materials science. There has been a free interchange of students in our courses in polymer science, applied mechanics, and metallurgy as well as interaction between industrial personnel and the students. A number of students have conducted part or all of their research activities in industry’s laboratories, several being involved there now. The major hurdles to a Sc.D. in addition to course work are:

  1. A preliminary examination taken during the first semester of residence which is based primarily on the student’s undergraduate training. In principle, it is supposed to tell the faculty if there are any general areas of knowledge in which the student is especially weak.

  2. A research proposal qualifying examination taken by the end of the fourth semester in residence. It is a written and oral presentation of the objectives and justification of the research program that the student wishes to carry out. The objective is to focus the attention of the student on his research goals and to determine his ability to do independent research.

Since this university and most other universities do not have undergraduate specialization in the materials field, it is assumed that most of our students come into the program with little specific knowledge of materials science and engineering. We feel it will take several years of scholarly work before they can gain a perspective of the field. For this reason, we emphasize study toward a Sc.D. degree.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: History of the Development of Interdisciplinary Materials Research Centers." National Research Council. 1975. Materials and Man's Needs: Materials Science and Engineering -- Volume III, The Institutional Framework for Materials Science and Engineering. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10438.
×
Page 265
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C: History of the Development of Interdisciplinary Materials Research Centers." National Research Council. 1975. Materials and Man's Needs: Materials Science and Engineering -- Volume III, The Institutional Framework for Materials Science and Engineering. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10438.
×
Page 266
Next: Appendix D: Details of University-Industry Coupling Experiments »
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