Materials Science Minor

Dr. Samuel Morton, Director

Phone: (540) 568-2723
Email: mortonsa@jmu.edu
Location: 901 Carrier Drive, MSC 4502
Website: http://csm.jmu.edu/materialsscience

Refer to the Materials Science Minor in Centers for Materials Science for more detailed information on this cross disciplinary program.

Credit by Examination

The chemistry and biochemistry department offers credit by examination for CHEM 131 and 132. General Chemistry I-II. Students who want permission to take the examination must apply to the department head. Details regarding approval to take the examination and examination dates will be provided when the application is received.

Teaching Licensure

Students interested in becoming teachers must meet specific curriculum requirements in their major as part of the undergraduate academic degree. Chemistry majors must also complete a course in biology and a course in geology.

In addition to the general education and academic major requirements, chemistry majors desiring secondary teacher licensure must be admitted to teacher education, complete the pre-professional program in secondary education at the undergraduate level and the graduate level Master of Arts in Teaching degree.

It is critical that students seeking licensure consult regularly with both their education adviser and their major adviser to support their progression through the programs. For a full description of the program in secondary teaching, refer to the Department of Middle, Secondary and Mathematics Education, in addition to the College of Education/Professional Education Unit section of the catalog.

Minor Requirements

The minor in materials science includes four major components:

Choice of an entry-level introductory course in materials science.
Lecture or laboratory course that emphasizes more specialized areas in materials science.
Materials science electives that can include all specialized courses.
Research or an additional materials science lecture or laboratory experience.

Courses for the minor are offered through the departments of chemistry, geology and environmental studies, integrated science and technology, mathematics, and physics.

Courses

Materials Science Electives: 9 Credit Hours
Research or additional materials science laboratory course: 3 Credit Hours

Choose one of the following: 3 Credit Hours

MATS 375. An Introduction to Materials Science 3.00
or
PHYS 375. An Introduction to Materials Science 3.00
or
CHEM 375. An Introduction to Materials Science 3.00
MATS 395. Geologic Perspectives in Materials Science
or
GEOL 395. Geologic Perspectives in Materials Science

Choose one of the following: 3 Credit Hours

MATS 381. Materials Characterization
or
PHYS 381. Materials Characterization (Lecture/Lab) 3.00
MATS 432. Selection and Use of Engineering Materials and Manufacturing Processes
or
ISAT 432. Materials Selection in Product Design 3.00
MATS 436. Micro-Nanofabrication and Applications
or
ISAT 436. Micro-Nanofabrication and Applications

Total: 18 Credit Hours

Concentration Requirements

The concentration in materials science consists of 12 credits hours of course work approved by the student’s adviser and by the director of the center. Appropriate courses may be chosen from materials science offerings in the areas of chemistry, geology and environmental studies, integrated science and technology, mathematics, and physics. This concentration must be pursued in conjunction with a designated major in chemistry, geology and environmental studies, integrated science and technology, biology, mathematics, and physics.

Courses

Materials Science Electives: 6 Credit Hours
Research or additional materials science laboratory course: 3 Credit Hours

Choose one of the following: 3 Credit Hours

MATS 375. An Introduction to Materials Science 3.00
or
PHYS 375. An Introduction to Materials Science 3.00
or
CHEM 375. An Introduction to Materials Science 3.00
MATS 395. Geologic Perspectives in Materials Science
or
GEOL 395. Geologic Perspectives in Materials Science

Total: 12 Credit Hours

Research in Materials Science

CHEM 497. Undergraduate Research (in materials science, 2-4 credits)
GEOL 497. Problems in Geology (in materials science, 1-3 credits)
ISAT 491 , ISAT 492 , ISAT 493 Thesis (in materials science, 6 credits)
PHYS 498R. Undergraduate Research in Physics or Astronomy (in materials science, 2-4 credits)
MATS 498R. Undergraduate Materials Science Research (1-3 credits, repeatable to 6 credits)
Materials Science Elective Courses

Courses

GEOL 300. Introduction to Petrology (3, 3) 4.00
MATS 337. Solid State Physics 3.00
or
PHYS 337. Solid State Physics 3.00
MATS 381. Materials Characterization 3.00 (Lecture/Lab)
or
PHYS 381. Materials Characterization (Lecture/Lab) 3.00 (Lecture/Lab)
MATS 382. Microfabrication Laboratory 3.00 (Lecture/Lab)
PHYS 380. Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics 3.00
or
CHEM 331. Physical Chemistry I 3.00
MATS 432. Selection and Use of Engineering Materials and Manufacturing Processes 3.00
or
ISAT 432. Materials Selection in Product Design 3.00
MATS 436. Micro-Nanofabrication and Applications 3.00
or
ISAT 436. Micro-Nanofabrication and Applications 3.00
CHEM 445. Polymer Chemistry 3.00
MATS 396. X-RAY Characterization of Solid Materials 3.00
or
GEOL 396. X-RAY Characterization of Solid Materials 3.00

Special topics in materials science registered under:

CHEM 480. Selected Topics in Chemistry 1.00 - 4.00 each semester (materials science)
GEOL 398. Topics in Geology 1.00 - 4.00 (materials science)
ISAT 480. Topics in Integrated Science & Technology 1.00 - 4.00 (i.e., light metals)
MATH 483. Selected Topics in Applied Mathematics 3.00 (materials science)
MATS 498R. Undergraduate Materials Science Research 1.00 - 3.00
PHYS 497. Topics in Physics 1.00 - 4.00 (materials science)