Skip navigation, view page content
MSE course syllabi
Arts and Sciences College 137.08
Materials in Society
Prerequisites:
None
Time & credits:
One 1 hour 48 minute lecture per week. Two credit hours.
Objectives:
Materials play such an essential role in the development of human society that historical eras are named for them. However, few people recognize the importance of materials science in every day life. This course will provide students with a basic understanding of why certain materials are chosen for an application, how we can change material behavior to better suit our needs, and what the current limitations on material behavior are. The course will focus on case studies of material applications in socially relevant contexts, such as in national defense, medicine, and sports. Policy issues, such as the importance of environmentally friendly "green" design and the connection between material availability and economic development, will also be discussed.
Textbook:
None, but weekly reading assignments will be selected from relevant materials science journals and texts as well as popular media. Assignments will be handed out in class and/or posted to the course website.
Topics:
See list below.
Grading Plan:
Weekly journals, 30%; presentation, 40%; class participation, 30%.
Weekly journals: Each week, students will be given a materials-related topic to research on their own and discuss in a short journal entry. The journal entry MUST also include one new thing the student learned about materials or materials science each week. A 1-2 page TYPED summary will be submitted each week via Carmen no later than 9 AM Thursday morning. In addition to discussing the defined topic, students are encouraged to record their observations of materials science and engineering in their daily life. This may include descriptions of interesting materials or designs they have encountered during the week, the role of materials in current events, or questions that arise from the reading or during in-class discussion. Selections from the journals will be discussed during class Thursday afternoon.
Presentation: Each student will give a 10 minute Powerpoint presentation and lead a 5 minute discussion on a materials science related topic of their choosing. Suggested topics will be provided. Grading will be based on the relevance of the topic and the clarity, organization, and content of the presentation. Students will turn in copies of two pieces of source material and provide paper copies of the Powerpoint slides to the rest of the class.
Class participation: Attendance is expected and required. 3% of the total grade will be deducted for every unexcused absence. Students are also expected to ask questions and make comments about the material under discussion. As part of the class participation grade, students will make written evaluations of each other's in-class presentations.
Late work and absences: Any conflicts with class attendance or work submission should be discussed with the instructor prior to the absence or work deadline. In cases of illness or similar sudden, unavoidable conflicts, arrangements will be made only for those with appropriate documentation (e.g. a doctor's note) and at the instructor's discretion.
Schedule
Week 1 |
Introduction: What are "engineering" materials, and how can we tailor them to fit our needs? Materials in history: From the stone age to the silicon age |
Week 2 |
Materials science of food: Relating space shuttles to sponge cake |
Week 3 |
Materials in national defense: Weapons, armor, and sensors |
Week 4 |
Materials in medicine: Biological, bio-inspired, and synthetic biomaterials |
Week 5 |
Materials in sports: Bikes, clubs, and skis |
Week 6 |
Materials and the environment: Green production and designing for recyclability |
Week 7 |
When bad things happen: Spectacular failures of materials |
Week 8 |
Student presentations |
Week 9 |
Student presentations |
Week 10 |
Student presentations |
Academic Integrity, Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct may be found in any action that tends to distort the accurate assessment of any student’s individual accomplishments that are evaluated for the purpose of grading or conferring academic credit. Note that a student may be guilty of academic misconduct, for example, by cheating, collaborating, plagiarizing, or by allowing another student to cheat, collaborate, or plagiarize. Note also that the distortion applies, for example, to exams, homework assignments, and laboratory work. To the extent that any class activity (for example: attendance or participation) is used for evaluation for the purpose of grading or conferring academic credit, falsifying or distorting such activity, or permitting another student to falsify or distort such activity, represents academic misconduct.
Additional guidance about what represents academic integrity and misconduct, and related university-wide policies and procedures are available at the following locations:
http://oaa.osu.edu/coam/faq.html
http://oaa.osu.edu/coam/ten-suggestions.html
Course-specific exceptions or amplifications to the departmental and university statements outlined above will be provided by the faculty instructor in writing, preferably as part of the course syllabus.
Note: Students should not request nor accept guidance on these matters from a teaching assistant, fellow student, or anyone other than the faculty instructor of record for this course.
Disabilities Statement
Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office for Disability Services at 614-292-3307 in room 150 Pomerene Hall to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. (URL: http://www.ods.ohio-state.edu/)
Advice on such matters is also available from the MSE department’s undergraduate adviser (1xx-6xx courses) and graduate coordinator (7xx-9xx courses) whose offices may be found in room 477 Watts Hall.
Megan Daniels, Undergraduate Advisor, (614) 292-3145, e-mail Megan concerning the MSE undergrad studies
Mark Cooper, Graduate Studies Coordinator, (614) 292-7280, e-mail Mark concerning the MSE graduate studies
