The Course III curriculum has always had a hands-on emphasis. In the most recent undergraduate curriculum revision in 2003, labs are integrated with lecture subjects. Some Course III subjects have achieved an almost iconic status, such as 3.091 and 3.042. In the twenty-first century, DMSE is embracing the use of new technologies in academic subjects.
2003 undergrad curriculum revision
In September 2003, DMSE introduced an undergraduate curriculum with a new set of required subjects designed to integrate fundamental science with engineering applications and integrate lectures with laboratory experiences to reinforce key concepts. In particular, coverage of interdisciplinary and emerging areas of MSE such as biomaterials and nanoscale materials is increased. As part of this curriculum reform, a 2000 square foot Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory was opened on the Infinite Corridor.
The new curriculum includes two foundation subjects in the sophomore fall semester: 3.012 Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering, and 3.014 Materials Laboratory. 3.012 describes the fundamentals of bonding, energetics, and structure that underpin materials science. The subject consists of two parallel tracks of lectures, one covering thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, and the other covering electronic structure, bonding and materials structure and symmetry. Fundamentals are taught using real-world examples such as engineered alloys, electronic and magnetic materials, ionic and network solids, polymers, and biomaterials. 3.012 is integrated with 3.014, which provides an experimental exploration of the connections between energetics, bonding and structure of materials, and includes hands-on experience with many techniques including calorimetry, x-ray, infrared, UV/visible and force spectroscopy, x-ray, optical and microwave diffraction. During the 13-week semester, the students spend four weeks in labs and nine in lectures, with labwork coordinated with lecture material. We also introduced 3.016, Mathematical Methods for Materials Scientists and Engineers, an introduction to the essential mathematical concepts that students will need during their undergraduate major.
In the sophomore spring semester, 3.022 Microstructural Evolution in Materials, and 3.024 Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Properties of Materials, will be offered. 3.022 covers microstructures, defects, and structural evolution in all classes of materials. Topics include dislocations and point defects, diffusion, surface energetics, grain growth, nucleation, and precipitation. 3.024 explains how the electronic, optical and magnetic properties of materials originate from their electronic and molecular structure and how these properties can be designed for particular applications, for instance in optical fibers, magnetic data storage, solar cells, transistors, and other devices. Both subjects include laboratory sessions directly related to the lectures. Students may also take 3.021J Introduction to Modeling and Simulation, a new subject that covers basic concepts and useful modern techniques for computer modeling in a range of engineering disciplines.
For the junior year, four more subjects will be introduced: 3.032 Mechanical Properties of Materials, 3.034 Soft Materials Chemistry, 3.042 Chemical Processes in Inorganic Materials, and 3.044 Materials Processing. These subjects will cover mechanical properties and phenomena, polymers and biomaterials, and inorganic materials phenomena such as electrochemistry, heat and mass transport, materials lifetimes, and recycling. As with the sophomore year, these subjects will include laboratory work, culminating in a team project in the spring semester. During the junior and senior years, students will also take four restricted electives from a wide choice. New electives are being designed, for example 3.153 Nanoscale Materials will be introduced in Spring 2004. Finally, students will carry out capstone thesis research or an industrial internship and write a thesis based on their research experience.