This course will cover the process of selecting a best material for a given design application with a focus on polymeric materials. To support this process material families, strengthening mechanisms, and degradation mechanisms and prevention will be studied. The materials selection process will include economic, ecological, and ethical considerations. An emphasis is placed on the interrelationship of structure, process, and properties. This class expands upon concepts presented in MCET-110.

Study of advanced polymeric materials including their preparation, processing and application design. Topics will include both long and short fiber reinforced composites. Industrial modification of polymers into plastics compounds including polymer blends and additives will also be discussed. Students may receive credit for only this course or MCET-674, not both.

Laboratory exercises involving polymeric materials (e.g. composites, polymers blends) including their preparation, processing and application design. Students may receive credit for only this course or MCET-675, not both.

This course introduces new graduate students to the fundamental concepts and skills relevant to plastics and polymer engineering research. Students will learn concepts in the chemistry and physics of polymeric materials and the essential techniques used to characterize them. Laboratory skills in the preparation of polymers, polymer blends, their fabrication into useful test specimens and their characterization will be emphasized. Following the successful completion of this course students will be prepared to carry out graduate level polymer engineering research.

Study of advanced polymeric materials including their preparation, processing and application design. Topics will include both long and short fiber reinforced composites. Industrial modification of polymers into plastics compounds including polymer blends and additives will also be discussed. Students will complete a literature review of a current topic in advanced polymers. Students may receive credit for only this course or MCET-574, not both.

Laboratory exercises involving polymeric materials (e.g. composites, polymers blends) including their preparation, processing and application design. Conduct a research-oriented project including writing up the results as a conference paper/journal article submission. Students may receive credit for only this course or MCET-575, not both.

Dissertation research by the candidate for an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.

Continuation of Thesis

This course provides students that are new to the MMSI program an opportunity to develop an understanding of the department’s research activities. The students will become more knowledgeable about the Manufacturing & Mechanical Systems Integration program, career options, the capstone and thesis project process (finding an advisor, required documentation and policies regarding completing a project on co-op) and department policies and procedures related to successful completion of the MMSI program.

Students will rigorously develop their thesis research ideas, conduct literature reviews, identify and plan methodologies, prepare schedules, and gain a clear understanding of the expectations of the faculty and the discipline. Each student will be required to prepare a committee approved thesis research proposal and may begin work on their thesis.

This course provides the MMSI graduate students an opportunity to complete their degree requirements by addressing a practical real-world challenge using the knowledge and skills acquired throughout their studies. This course is not only the culmination of a student's course work but also an indicator of the student's ability to use diverse knowledge to provide a tangible solution to a problem. The capstone project topic can be in the areas of product development, manufacturing automation, management system, quality management or electronics packaging. The course requires a comprehensive project report and a final presentation.

Continuation of Capstone