Principles of Materials Science, 6 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master's Programme in Physics and Nanoscience
• Master's Programme in Materials Science and Nanotechnology
• Mechanical Engineering, M Sc in Engineering
• Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering, M Sc in Engineering
• Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering - International, M Sc in Engineering

Entry requirements

Note: Admission requirements for non-programme students usually also include admission requirements for the programme and threshold requirements for progression within the programme, or corresponding.

Prerequisites

Intended learning outcomes

Materials science is a fusion of multidisciplinary theories and approaches since 1980s, and covers a wide range of scientific and engineering aspects. The primary goal of this course is to provide students a knowledge foundation of the quantum theory, solid-state chemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics, with the relevant mathematical tools and many application examples in materials science, in order to facilitate further studies and understand the inter-relationship among preparation techniques, structures, and properties of various materials, in particular crystalline solids and semiconductors in bulk, thin film, and nano-scale form. After successful examination the student should:

• be able to describe a material, from individual atoms, interatomic bonding, to crystalline periodic structure, with a quantum mechanic perspective
• understand how the structure dictates the properties of various materials at both microscopic and macroscopic levels
• be able to explain mass action and phase transformation processes of solid materials based on both thermodynamic and kinetic considerations
• understand the physics and chemistry behind some commonly used methods for materials synthesis and growth, and how the preparation technique affects the structures and properties of the material
• be able to design a process to prepare (synthesize or grow) the desired material, and calculate the synthesis (growth) rate using kinetic equations of the corresponding chemical reaction.

Course content

Quantum theory and atomic structures: Wave–particle duality, electron wavefunctions, the Schrödinger equation and basic quantum mechanics, the Bohr atom, the quantum description and electronic configurations of an atom.

Chemical bonding and molecular structures: Properties of bonded atoms, models of chemical bonding and bond hybridization, the Born-Oppenheimer approximation and molecular-orbital theory.

Solid-state chemistry: States of matter and phase transitions, nucleation and assembly of crystals, lattices and structural symmetry, fundamental properties of various matter.

Thermodynamics and kinetics in materials science: Chemical energies and the 1st law of thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium and the 2nd law of thermodynamics, chemical kinetics and reaction mechanisms.

Teaching and working methods

Lectures, problem solving classes, and laboratory experiments in small groups.

Examination

Grades

Department

Director of Studies or equivalent

Examiner

Education components

Course literature

Books

• Gersten, Joel I., Smith, Frederick W., (2001) The physics and chemistry of materials New York : Wiley, 2001
  ISBN: 0471057940
• Mortimer, Robert G., (2008) Physical chemistry 3rd ed. London : Elsevier, 2008.
  ISBN: 9780123706171, 0123706173