AMSEC Minor

• Note:  Students take MSCI 321, 322, and/or 323 based on their declared major -- these are one-credit courses that supplement students' foundation in Chemistry, Polymers & Composites, and Physics. See the chart below to learn which courses you should take.

Please check course descriptions to determine the sequence in which you should fulfill the prerequisite courses.

• MATH 125 Calculus and Analytical Geometry (5) or MATH 135 Honors Calculus II (5)
• PHYS 161 Physics with Calculus I with Lab (5)
• PHYS 162 Physics with Calculus II with Lab (5)
• PHYS 163 Physics with Calculus III with Lab (5)
• CHEM 161 or 175 General Chemistry I (5)
• CHEM 162 or 176 General Chemistry II (5)
• CHEM 163 (4) or CHEM 225 (5) General Chemistry III

MSCI 201: Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering (4)

Prerequisite: CHEM 161 or CHEM 175; (MATH 124 and PHYS 161, or concurrent) or (MATH 157 and PHYS 114, or concurrent)

Description: The relationship between the properties, structure and processes of engineering materials is discussed. Emphasis on the fundamentals of selecting materials based on engineering design criteria. Also offered as ENGR 170.

MSCI 321: Materials Science I: Materials Chemistry (1)

Prerequisite: CHEM 163 or CHEM 225; MSCI 201 or ENGR 170; PHYS 162 or concurrent; or instructor permission
• Required for these majors: ENGINEERING, PCE, MATH, PHYSICS, and GEOLOGY (Chemistry majors do not need this course.)
Description: This course is part of an interdisciplinary sequence designed to cover the fundamental concepts of materials science. Basic concepts behind the chemistry of organic and inorganic compounds, chemical bonding and structure, electron delocalization, properties of common functional groups and ligands, and structure-property relationships will be covered in this overview course.

MSCI 322: Materials Science I: Polymers & Composites (1)

Prerequisite: CHEM 163 or CHEM 225; MSCI 201 or ENGR 170; PHYS 162 or concurrent; or instructor permission
• Required for these majors: CHEMISTRY, ENGINEERING, MATH, PHYSICS, and GEOLOGY (PCE majors do not need this course.)
Description: This course is part of an interdisciplinary sequence designed to cover the fundamental concepts of materials science. Common synthetic routes for polymerization, common polymers and polymer classifications, mechanical properties of polymers and the relationship to polymer processing, classes of composite materials based on the composition and geometry of dispersed and continuous phases, properties and applications will be covered in this overview course.

MSCI 323: Materials Science I: Materials Physics (1)

Prerequisite: CHEM 163 or CHEM 225; MSCI 201 or ENGR 170; PHYS 162 or concurrent; or instructor permission
• Required for these majors: CHEMISTRY, ENGINEERING, PCE, MATH, and GEOLOGY (Physics majors do not need this course.)
Description: This course is part of an interdisciplinary sequence designed to cover the fundamental concepts required for further study of materials science. Basic principles of quantum mechanics including wave-particle duality and the probabilistic nature of matter, the Schrödinger equation and probability calculations, the quantum mechanical solutions for a particle in a box, a simple harmonic oscillator, and an electron in a hydrogen atom, basic classical and quantum statistical mechanical distributions, and basic physical principles of covalent bond formation will be covered in this overview course.

MSCI 340: Introduction to Materials Science II (3)

Prerequisite: MATH 125 or MATH 135 or MATH 138; PHYS 163; Depending upon advising, two or three
courses from:  MSCI 321, MSCI 322, and MSCI 323; or instructor permission.
DESCRIPTON: Part of a multi-course interdisciplinary sequence designed to cover the fundamental concepts of materials science. Electronic, magnetic, thermal and optical properties of materials are emphasized in this second overview course.

MSCI 410: Characterization of Materials (4)

Prerequisite: MSCI 340 or instructor permission
Description: The third course in a three course interdisciplinary sequence designed to cover the fundamental concepts of materials science. Theory and operating principals of external and internal characterization of materials such as: electron microscopy, x-ray chemical microanalysis, optical microscopy, thermal, magnetic and structural analysis, polymer processing and analysis, thin film preparation and characterization, and x-ray diffraction. Laboratory experience and projects are emphasized.

MSCI 491: Independent Research or Internship in Materials Science 1 (3)

Prerequisite: MSCI 340 or instructor permission
*400 Level research in your major may substitute for MSCI 491
Description: Undergraduate research in materials science or an undergraduate internship in materials science in industry under supervision.

MSCI 492: Independent Research or Internship in Materials Science 2 (3)

Prerequisite: MSCI 340 or instructor permission
*400 Level research in your major may substitute for MSCI 492
Description: Continued undergraduate research in materials science or an undergraduate internship in materials science in industry under supervision.

Materials Science Elective (4)

Prerequisite: As specified in elective course description and program permission. Download the pre-approved elective course list.

Some of these courses have significant prerequisites. Contact AMSEC for advising and course overrides.

BIOL 484 Cell Microscopy Laboratory (5)

Prereq: BIOL 323. Laboratory investigations of cellular and developmental processes. Tissue culture methods and microscopy techniques, including immunofluorescence. Lectures will focus on optics and image processing.

CHEM 308 Introduction to Polymer Chemistry (3)

Prereq: CHEM 121 or 125, 251, #PCE 371. Types of polymers, methods of polymerization, and preparation of important commercial thermoplastic and thermosetting plastics. Addition and condensation polymers are prepared in the laboratory.

CHEM 425K Bioanalytical Instrumentation (3)

Prereq: CHEM 333 or instructor permission. The analysis of biomolecules, substances of significant biological interest, and substances in biological matrices using advanced instrumental methods.

CHEM 425R Surface Chemistry (3)

Prereq: CHEM 461 and permission of instructor and any additional prerequisites as listed. The analysis of biomolecules, substances of significant biological interest, and substances in biological matrices using advanced instrumental methods.

CHEM 425V Chemistry of Renewable Energy (3)

Prereq: A passing grade (C- or better) in each of the following courses: CHEM 163 and PHYS 163; and a passing grade in one of the following courses: MSCI 340, PCE 371, CHEM 351, or PHYS 335. The role of chemistry in energy production, distribution, storage and usage, with a focus on chemical, photochemical, and electrochemical transformations. Applications to existing and emerging energy technologies.

CHEM 426 Chemistry of Macromolecules (3)

Prereq: CHEM 353. This course will cover basic macromolecule and polymer structure and processing techniques. Emphasis will be placed on modern synthetic methods for producing and characterizing these materials. The design, synthesis and use of polymers in specialty applications will also be discussed.

DATA 311 Fundamentals of Data Science (4)

Prereq: CSCI 141; One of: MATH 112, MATH 114, MATH 115, MATH 118, MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 134, MATH 138, MATH 156 or suitable math assessment score. Introduction to the fundamentals of data science, focusing on techniques for collecting, processing, visualizing and organizing data. Applied machine learning concepts will also be covered, including fundamentals of machine learning experimentation and the use of libraries to perform clustering, classification and regression. Includes lab.

ENGR 225 Mechanics of Materials (4)

Prereq: ENGR 170 or MSCI 201; ENGR 214; MATH 125. Principles and basic concepts of structural analysis including: internal forces, stress, strain, axial loading, torsion, bending, combined loads, and buckling. Introduction to stress transformation and failure analysis.

ENRG 420 - Advanced Energy Science (3)

Prereq: CHEM 163 and ENRG 320. Quantitative analysis of energy resources and processes within a unified physical framework. Covers traditional and renewable resources including fossil fuels, nuclear, wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biofuels. Energy processes covered include electricity generation and energy storage in batteries and fuel cells. Systems-level issues such as efficiency, transmission, and reliability are also analyzed.

ENRG 421 - Energy Science Laboratory (2)

Prereq: ENRG 420 or concurrent. This course explores energy resources and their utilization in contemporary energy services, including electricity and heating systems. Students will critically assess and compare energy resources within a unified physical framework. ENRG 421 applies energy resource and process concepts discussed in the energy science lecture courses through a series of hands-on laboratory experiments.

ENRG 430- Energy Materials and Waste (4)

Prereq: One course from: ENRG 320, ENRG 330, GEOL 330, ENRG 380 or ESCI 380; CHEM 161; PHYS 114 or PHYS 161; or instructor permission. This course introduces the scientific and engineering processes for managing energy materials and waste products related to the extraction and generation of energy. The first half of the course covers the scientific aspects of energy materials and waste, and the second half covers engineering and technological solutions for reusing/recycling waste materials, and for safer disposal.

ENRG 466 - Life Cycle Analysis (4)

Prereq: MATH 124; PHYS 161 or CHEM 161; ESCI 380 or ENRG 380. Life cycle analysis (LCA) is a powerful tool for assessing the environmental impact associated with all the stages of a product’s life from cradle-to-grave (i.e from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair and maintenance, and disposal or recycling).  This large picture view helps avoid a narrow outlook on environmental concerns and is an excellent method of comparing two potential products to see which has less impact on the environment. This course will focus on the energetic costs and carbon emissions associated with energy resources and technologies. Also offered as ESCI 466.

GEOL 306 Mineralogy (4)

Prereq: GEOL 211 or GEOL 211A; CHEM 121; CHEM 122 or higher or concurrent. Introduction to crystal chemistry and crystallography. Origin, occurrence and classification of common minerals; physical and chemical properties of minerals used in identification. Basic petrographic microscopy techniques and identification of common rock-forming minerals in thin-section.  (Note: GEOL 211 prereq is waived for MSCI minors)

GEOL 314  Engineering Geology (4)

Prereq: GEOL 211 or GEOL 211A; PHYS 114 or PHYS 161. Introduction to the engineering properties of rock and soil surficial materials and their significance in civil works and geological processes such as rock slides, soil-slope stability, and liquefaction. 

GEOL 318 Structural Geology (5)

Prereq: GEOL 211 or GEOL 211A; GEOL 212 or GEOL 311; PHYS 114 or higher. An overview of deformation in the earth’s crust and introduction to tools for analysis of geologic structures. Topics include geometry and development of faults, folds and rock fabrics; stress, strain, and rheology; interpretation of geologic maps and cross sections. Field and laboratory exercises are major components. One section each year is taught entirely in the field. 

GEOL 352 Introduction to Geophysics (4)

Prereq: GEOL 211 or 211A; PHYS 121 and PHYS 122, or PHYS 161 and PHYS 162. Basic elements of geomagnetism, seismology, gravity and heat flow with reference to the internal structure of the earth.  

GEOL 425 - Advanced Metamorphic Petrology (4)

Prereq: GEOL 318 and GEOL 406; or instructor permission. Advanced course in metamorphic petrology. Application of phase equilibria to quantify metamorphic processes and reconstruct the pressure, temperature, fluid, and deformation histories of metamorphic terranes.

GEOL 452 - Applied Geophysics (5)

Prereq: GEOL 213; GEOL 352 or equivalent. Near-surface geophysical techniques applied to geological problems broadly defined. Theory and field application of gravity, magnetics, active-source seismology, electrical resistivity, ground penetrating radar, and others. Class includes field projects designed to investigate problems such as depth-to-bedrock, detecting subsurface features, detecting and mapping buried archeological or forensic materials, groundwater, and estimates of surface material response to seismic events.

GEOL 454 Magnetic Fabrics and Geological Processes (4)

Prereq: GEOL 352. Theory and laboratory measurement of magnetic anisotropy in rocks, sediments, and minerals. Emphasis on the use of magnetic anistrophy techniques to understand various geological processes including deformation, sediment transport, and magma flow and emplacement. Laboratory project and writing project included.

GEOL 457 - Practical Paleomagnetism (4)

Prereqs: GEOL 352 or concurrent, or instructor permission. Application of rock magnetism and paleomagnetism to field-oriented research problems. Seminar style meetings, field trip(s), and laboratory measurements will focus on solution of an original research problem. Results will be used for a required research paper. Project topics will vary; examples include paleomagnetism of displaced terranes, magnetostratigraphy, magnetic fabrics, environmental magnetism.

GEOL 460 - ICP-MS Theory & Application in Earth Science (4)

Prereq: GEOL 406. The course covers the scientific underpinnings of inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), with a focus on laser ablation (LA) analysis, and its application for determining the inorganic trace element geochemistry of Earth materials. This course provides valuable hands-on experience operating this advanced analytical instrument.

GEOL 461 Analytical Geochemistry (2)

Prereq: GEOL 306, CHEM 123 or higher. Introduction to analysis of rocks, soil and water. Methods include atomic absorption spectrophotometry, ion chromatography, gas chromatography and quadrapole mass spectrometry as well as gravimetric, volumetric and colorimetric analysis.

GEOL 465 - Remote Sensing of Earth and Planetary Surface (4)

Prereq: GEOL 211 or GEOL 211A; GEOL 213; PHYS 161 and PHYS 162. This course examines how different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum are used to interpret the physical and chemical characteristics of the surfaces of Earth and other planets. Topics include: interaction of light with materials, imaging principles and interpretation, digital terrain models, radar observations, reflectance and thermal emission spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, derivation of thermophysical properties, instrumentation, calibration, and data analysis.

ID 380 Materials for Design (5)

Prereq: ENGR 104. Fundamentals of materials technology for industrial design majors. Properties and processing of materials with an emphasis on plastics.

MATH 307 - Mathematical Computing

Prereq: MATH 125 or MATH 135 or MATH 138; MATH 204

Use of mathematical software such as Matlab and Mathematica. Elementary programming, numerical and symbolic computation, visualization and technical reporting in mathematical context.

MFGE 231 Intro to Metal Manufacturing (4)

Prereq: ENGR 170 or MSCI 201 or ID 380; MFGE 261 or concurrent or ID 330 or concurrent. An introduction to the manufacturing processes used to cast, form, cut, and join metal when creating parts per an engineering drawing. Students will be required to complete a fabrication project using machining processes. Includes an introduction to metrology and CNC.

MSCI 420 Scanning Electron Microscopy (3)

Prereq: CHEM 163 or CHEM 176; MATH 125 or MATH 135 or MATH 138; PHYS 163; or instructor permission. This course will explore fundamental concepts of scanning electron microscopy, including microscope functions and specimen- electron interactions. Students will apply these concepts to regular hands-on use of electron microscopes, including completion of a student-defined project using higher-end capabilities of Western’s microscopy facilities.

PHYS 345 – Quantum Computing (3)

Prereq: MATH 204; CSCI 140 or CSCI 141. This course is an introduction to the theory of quantum computing, intended for students with a broad range of backgrounds. No prior knowledge of quantum physics is assumed. The notion of quantum bits (qubits) are introduced and built upon as a novel model for computation. The course includes a hands-on computational module based on Google’s free cirq package.

PHYS 475 Physics of Solids and Materials 1 (3)

Prereq: PHYS 255 or permission of instructor. Structure and properties of materials including crystallography, symmetry, bonding-related properties, electronic structure, phase diagrams, surfaces, semiconductors, metals.

PHYS 476 Physics of Solids and Materials 2 (3)

Prereq: PHYS 475. Application and investigation of materials including amorphous, liquid crystal, magnetic, porous and novel materials, lasers, photo detectors, optical fibers, microscopy, spectroscopy.

PHYS 486 - Computational Physics (3)

Prereq: PHYS 326; PHYS 363; PHYS 368; CSCI 140 or CSCI 141. Introduction to methods of solving physics problems with computers. Topics include molecular dynamics, electronic states, calculation of classical electromagnetic fields and orbits, and Monte Carlo methods applied to statistical mechanics and quantum systems.

PME 331 Injection Molding (4)

Prereq: PME 371 and CHEM 162. Theory and practice of injection molding. Analysis of machine functions, processing parameters, production tooling, process control systems, quality assurance, automation, rheology of polymers, heat transfer. Extensive lab experience.

PME 371 Introduction to Plastic Materials and Processes (5)

Prereq: ENGR 104; ENGR 170 recommended. Polymer science and analysis of basic plastics materials; experience in product design, tooling, and processing of thermoplastic.

PME 372 Intro to Composite Mater. & Processes (5)

Prereq: PCE 371. Polymer and reinforcement systems; material testing; mold design and development; laboratory involvement in reinforced plastics production processes.

PME 471 Adv. Materials & Characterization (4)

Prereq: CHEM 308; PHYS 163; PME 331. Structure, properties, processing and applications of engineering polymers. Advanced analysis and testing of polymers for engineering applications.

PME 472 Advanced Composites (4)

Prereq: MFGE 462 and PME 372. Advanced polymer matrix and reinforcement systems; structural design and analysis; advanced composites processes and automated production systems.