Graduate Course Descriptions

MSE 601 - Corrosion of Metals (3 units)
Thermodynamics and kinetic basis for the electrochemical theory of corrosion. Potential-pH diagrams. Polarization curves. Forms of corrosion to include: general and galvanic corrosion, pitting and stress corrosion cracking. Methods of corrosion prevention. Prerequisite: MSE 250.

MSE 615 - Materials Characterization (3 units)
Principles and methods of operation of various materials characterization techniques. Topics include optical, electron, and scanning probe microscopy, calorimetry, x-ray methods, spectroscopy, and mechanical tests. Prerequisites: MSE 250 or equivalent with approval of instructor.

MSE 616 - X-Ray Diffraction (3 units)
Generation and properties of x-rays; diffraction techniques, structure determination, x-ray fluorescence and microscopy analysis of metals. Prerequisite: MSE 250.

MSE 621 - Mineral Processing II (3 units)
Continuation of MSE 322 with emphasis on flotation. Prerequisite: CHEM 421.

MSE 623 - Surface Chemistry of Minerals (3 units)
Thermodynamics of surfaces, electrostatic and electrokinetic phenomena, adsorption at interfaces, and properties of monolayers as applied to processing of minerals. Prerequisites: CHEM 422.

MSE 625 - Hydrometallurgical Reactions (3 units)
Systematic treatment embracing dissolution of minerals, leaching, precipitation, and complex formation in aqueous systems. Prerequisites: CHEM 354.

MSE 630 - Phase Transformations and Kinetics (3 units)
Thermodynamic and crystallographic aspects of phase transformations; diffusion controlled, diffusionless (martensitic), and order-disorder transformations; transformations in glasses and organic materials. Prerequisite: MSE 460.

MSE 631 - Extractive Metallurgy II - Hydrometallurgy (3 units)
Quantitative and descriptive treatment of unit processes used and fundamentals of leaching, precipitation, electrolysis, both liquid and resin ion exchange, and purification of metals by low temperature methods. Prerequisites: (C or higher in) MSE 232; CHE 361.

MSE 633 - Electronic, Magnetic, and Optical Properties of Materials (3 units)
Electronic transport, elementary band theory, photonic interactions, and magnetism as it relates to the crystal lattice and the microstructure of metallic, polymeric, and ceramic materials. Prerequisites: MSE 250 or equivalent with approval of instructor.

MSE 657 - Introduction to Biomaterials (3 units)
Principles underlying the use of materials in biological systems and applications. Topics include structure, properties and classes of materials, characterization, materials performance and biological response. Prerequisites: MSE 250 or equivalent with approval of instructor.

MSE 661 - Mechanical Behavior of Materials (3 units)
Supplementary and advanced treatment of topics introduced in MSE 250.

MSE 662 - Thermodynamics of Irreversible Processes (3 units)
Thermodynamics treatment of irreversible metallurgical, chemical, and electrochemical processes, transport processes, coupling phenomena, etc. Prerequisites: MSE 250, CHEM 102 or 202.

MSE 670 - Polymeric and Composite Materials (3 units)
Overview of polymeric and contemporary composite materials, physical properties effect on material selection and engineering design. Prerequisites: MSE 250; CHEM 122 or 202.

MSE 695 - Special Problems (1 to 3 units)
Individual research problems in metallurgy. Maximum of 6 credits.

MSE 701/702 - Advanced Metallurgy (1 to 5 units)
(a) General metallurgy, (b) metallurgical analysis, (c) mineral dressing, (d) pyrometallurgy, (e) hydrometallurgy, (f) electro-metallurgy, (g) nonferrous metallurgy, (h) ferrous metallurgy, (j) physical metallurgy, (k) metallurgy, (l) heat treatment, (m) mechanical metallurgy, (n) history of metallurgy. These courses consist of either lectures, periodic conferences, supervised reading, laboratory or field work. May be repeated more than once to pursue different studies.

MSE 703 - Advanced Physical Metallurgy (3 units)
Advanced treatments of mechanical deformation, dislocation theory, surface structure, solidification, annealing, phase transformations, hardening mechanisms in steel and other selected topics.

MSE 711 - Advanced Corrosion Principles (3 units)
Advanced electrochemical theory of corrosion mechanisms. Experimental techniques in the study of corrosion. Evaluation of current research progress in various topics in corrosion taken from the literature. Prerequisites: MSE 401.

MSE 715 - X-Ray Diffraction (3 units)
Theory of X-ray diffraction and methods used in obtaining and interpreting x-ray diffraction diagrams.

MSE 721 - Alloy Selection and Failure Analysis (3 units)
Fundamentals of alloying element behavior in metals. Alloying for mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. Identification and prevention of various failure modes including fracture, corrosion and wear. Prerequisites: MSE 250 or equivalent.

MSE 727 - Mineral Bioprocessing (3 units)
Principles of use of biological organisms and materials in the fields of hydrometallurgy and mineral processing, including bioxidation, bioleaching, bioflocculation, bioflotation, cydrocarbon biosolubilization and bioremediation. Prerequisites: MSE 322, MSE 431.

MSE 728 - Interfacial Phenomena (3 units)
Surface chemical and physical phenomena associated with the boundary between two phases. Prerequisites: MATH 285, CHEM 422.

MSE 738 - Advanced Ceramic Materials (3 units)
Special methods for production, processing. Advanced concepts in phase equilibria, transformation, grain growth and sintering and properties in application of ceramic materials problems. Prerequisites: MSE 250.

MSE 741 - Advanced Kinetics and Reactor Design (3 units)
Complex reaction rates and networks; catalytic processes, gas solid reactions; batch, plug flow, perfectly mixed flow reactor equations; stability and analysis; homogeneous and heterogeneous models; fluidized bed reactors. Prerequisites: CHE 440.

MSE 751 - Physics of Metals (3 units)
Theoretical study of the metallic state. Emphasis upon crystal structure, elastic and plastic properties, crystal imperfections and thermal and magnetic properties.

MSE 760/761 - Advanced Metallurgical Thermodynamics (3 units)
Applications of thermodynamics to physicochemical hydrodynamic and pyrometallurgical unit processes. Prerequisites: CHE 361, MATH 285.

MSE 762 - Statistical Thermodynamics (3 units)
See CHE 762 for description.

MSE 764 - Advanced Transport Phenomena I (3 units)
Advanced concepts in theoretical and applied fluid and heat dynamics involving steady state, transient and cyclic phenomena in materials science and engineering. Prerequisites: MATH 285.

MSE 765 - Diffusion in Materials (3 units)
The diffusion process in metals and alloys, including Fick's laws, multi-component diffusion, numerical and analytical approaches, the influence of defects, and applications in industry. Prerequisites: MSE 250, MATH 285.

MSE 773 - Precious Metals Hydrometallurgy (3 units)
Examination of processes for processing gold and silver ores. Field trip required.

MSE 790 - Mineral Industry Seminar (1 to 3 units)
Review and discussion by staff members and graduate students of individual research or important new publications concerning the mineral industry and related sciences. Maximum of 6 credits. Prerequisite: graduate standing. (Same as MINE 790).

MSE 795 - Comprehensive Examination (1 to 3 units)
Course is used by graduate programs to administer comprehensive examinations either as end of program comprehensive examinations or as qualifying examinations for doctoral candidates prior to being advanced to candidacy. Credits determined by each individual program.

MSE 797 - Thesis (1 to 6 units)

MSE 799 - Dissertation (1 to 24 units)
For majors in the metallurgical engineering doctoral program only.

MSE 899 - Graduate Advisement (1 to 4 units)
Provides access to faculty for continued consultation and advisement. No grade is filed and credits may not be applied to any degree requirements. Limited to 8 credits (2 semester enrollment).