Global Arc

An introduction to the structure and properties of important current and future materials, including metals, semiconductors, and polymers from an atomic and molecular perspective. Emphasis will be placed on the phase behavior and processing of materials, and on how structures in these materials impact their macroscopic physical, electrical, and thermal properties. Three lectures.

A hands-on introduction to the use of laboratory techniques for the processing and characterization in materials science. Structure-property relations will be explored through experiments in mechanical, optical, biological and electronic properties. The underlying theories and lab techniques will be explained in weekly lectures. The goal of the course is for students to develop a solid understanding of material properties and the common techniques used in research, as well as to gain valuable practice in oral and written presentation. Prerequisite: 301 or equivalent. Two 90-minute lectures, one laboratory.

Introduction to microscale and nanoscale of materials and devices. Topics include materials made from nanoscale constituents or using nanotechnology, metrology methods, and scaling phenomenon related to mechanical, electrical and optical properties, heat transfer, and fluid flow. MEMS, NEMS, and microfluidic applications, such as sensors and actuators are presented.

This course offers an introduction to the use of the cleanroom fabrication as a machine-shop-of-the-future or a micro/nano 'Maker Space'. This course teaches the technology in the context of applications, focusing on how to use these capabilities and to realize inventive or entrepreneurial proclivities, while simultaneously introducing the philosophy, culture and engineering practices of the nanoscale industry. Covered topics include nanoscale engineering and the philosophy of industrial micro/nano.

This seminar examines the relationships between materials research and industry and market adoption of products based upon these novel materials. These relationships are examined using applicable case studies combined with speaker presentations. Focus will be on discussion of proven skills and methods scientists use to deal with real world scenarios. Registration of students from a diversity of non-materials science backgrounds is also very much encouraged.

One of the most important skills science and engineering professionals can develop in their career is the ability to communicate their research. This course, aimed at science and engineering students, is not intended to be a journalism course or a teacher education course but rather seeks to familiarize students with concepts and methods to effectively communicate technical content to a wide array of audiences. Practical science communication and educational theories will be examined. Students learn from hands-on methods focusing on interactions with the public, guest lecturers, assigned readings, discussion, and project development.

This course covers the fundamental principles of thermodynamics and phase transformation kinetics in hard and soft matter systems, such as metals and alloys, semiconductors, polymers, and lipid bilayer membranes. The course synthesizes descriptive observations, principles of statistical thermodynamics, and mathematical theories to address emergent physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological properties of multi-component, multiphase materials systems.

An examination of how life evolved and how organisms interact to shape the natural world. Why did the dinosaurs disappear? What mechanisms can produce the chameleon's camouflage or the giraffe's long neck? Why do ecosystems contain a wide diversity of species when competition between them should eliminate all but a few? How will life on earth change with increasing human domination of the planet? These and other questions related to the origin and future of life, conflict and cooperation between species, and dynamics of entire ecosystems will be explored. This course is required for EEB majors and fulfills a requirement for medical school.

Integrating knowledge from fields such as genetics and physiology, this course prepares students for advanced courses in ecology and evolution. Using an innovative teaching style, the instructors engage students in research projects that integrate lectures and labs. Four modules of three weeks each cover: molecular evolution in an ecological context; behavioral ecology; the genetic basis of phenotypic variation; and the physiology of life history. Students will conduct scientific experiments, using birds and mammals as experimental organisms in the ecological sections of the course, and their own genetic information in the genomics sections.

Students will use ecological principles and policy analysis to examine conflicts between human activities such as farming, forestry, and infrastructure development, and the conservation of species and ecosystem services. Two lectures, one preceptorial.