Graduate Materials Science (GMS) Introduction The Graduate Materials…

Graduate Materials Science (GMS)
Introduction

The Graduate Materials Science (GMS) program leads to the degree of Master of Science (Materials
Science). Students normally enter as a class in September and are scheduled to graduate in March after
18 months. The program is under the joint supervision of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
(Structural Materials) and the Department of Engineering Physics (Non-structural Materials) and is
carried out in cooperation with the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate of the Air Force Research
Laboratory.

Educational Objectives

The goal of the GMS program is to provide a student who has a background in engineering or physical
science with the knowledge of materials science and engineering necessary for work in the fields of
structural and non-structural materials for aerospace systems. Such positions may range from those
requiring very detailed and advanced level work in a specific discipline to those involving broad
responsibilities and requiring interaction among many disciplines.

The GMS program prepares students for a range of Air Force positions. It demands that the students
develop a detailed understanding in specialty areas while ensuring that they are also well educated across
all areas of materials science and engineering.

The specific goals of the GMS program are to produce graduates with:

1. A solid background in the fundamental areas of materials science and engineering (structural and
non-structural materials, thermodynamics and kinetics, materials characterization, and materials
selection and processing).

2. An in-depth knowledge in one specialty area.

3. Experience in conducting and documenting an independent investigation, a thesis, on a problem of
Air Force interest.

Program Elements

The GMS program is normally 6 quarters in length. The equivalent of 5 quarters of study is devoted to
course work and 1 quarter of study to thesis research. The program provides preparation in
thermodynamics and kinetics of materials, mechanical, electronic and optical properties of materials,
material characterization, material selection and processing, and mathematics. Also, each student is
required to take an in-depth study and perform research either in structural materials (metallic, composite,
polymer, ceramics, etc.) or non-structural materials (electronics, optical, magnetic, dielectric, coating,
etc.) Emphasis is placed on the application of fundamental knowledge to the design, development, test
and evaluation of materials for Air Force systems.

The GMS curriculum is built around five principal elements:

        (1)     Basic Materials Core
        (2)     Mathematics
        (3)     Specialty Sequence
        (4)     Thesis
        (5)     Elective Courses
(1)     Basic Materials Core
Each student who graduates with a Master of Science (Materials Science) must have a foundation in the
theoretical and applied aspects of the fundamental areas of materials. This foundation is laid through a
core of courses taken by all materials science and engineering students. The courses making up the core
are:

        MATL 545        Mechanical Properties of Materials
        MATL 525        Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Materials
        MATL 560        Electronic, Magnetic, and Optical Properties of Materials
        MATL 680        Materials Characterization
        MATL 685        Materials Selection and Processing

All students are required to take this set of five core courses; however, if a student can demonstrate
successful completion of a similar course a waiver may be granted. Students who find that most or all of
the core requirements can be waived should consider an accelerated program and early graduation.
Students with undergraduate degrees in areas other than materials science frequently lack this
background.

(2)     Mathematics
The second element of the GMS curriculum is mathematics. Each student must complete at least one
graduate level mathematics course. A second course is highly desirable. The particular courses each
student takes are based upon background and area of specialization.

Nearly all students take mathematics courses that cover the following topics; advanced calculus, complex
variables, Fourier series and boundary value problems, linear algebra, numerical methods, and
probability/statistics. Two courses specifically designed to cover most of these topics are: MATH 511 -
Methods of Applied Math I, and MATH 513 - Methods of Applied Math II. In addition, students should
consider courses in Statistics or Numerical Methods such STAT 527 - Introduction to Probability; STAT
537 - Introduction to Statistics; and MATH 508 - Numerical Methods.

(3)     Specialty Sequence
The third element of the GMS curriculum consists of the specialty sequence. Each student is required to
take one such sequence with the option of adding a second. These sequences, each composed of at least
three courses, together form a coherent body of knowledge in a particular area and provide the student
with a strong theoretical background for eventual applications in thesis work and post-graduation
assignments. This sequence is normally dedicated to meeting Air Force requirements for specialized
education.

Each full-time Air Force military student entering AFIT is assigned an advanced- level education
specialty code (Ed Code). This code reflects the current requirements and availability of officers in each
specialty. The system of Ed Codes is used by the Air Force to determine both the number of students and
the type of advanced-level education for each student.

Students will enter the GMS program with the following Ed Codes:

        Ed Code         Specialty
        4FAY            Materials Science and Engineering-Structural Materials
        4FBY            Materials Science and Engineering-Electronic and Optical Materials
        4FYY            Materials Science and Engineering-General
For these listed specialty codes, students must take one sequence in that specialty. (Under "Course
Sequences," each Ed Code is identified with its required sequence.) Students with the educational code
4FYY (Materials Science and Engineering-General) are free to choose their primary sequence from the
list shown under "Course Sequences."

(4)     Thesis
The fourth element of the GMS program, the thesis, is an independent investigation of a problem of
current Air Force interest, conducted and documented by the student, with supervision of the faculty.
This independent study may be done under the direction of either the Department of Aeronautics and
Astronautics (for structural materials) or the Department of Engineering Physics (for non-structural
materials) and can be carried out either at AFIT or at a directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory.
Theses by GMS students can be theoretical, experimental, or numerical. Topics will be proposed by Air
Force research and development organizations, particularly the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate
of the Air Force Research Laboratory. Flexibility in the program is maintained in order to take full
advantage of the varied backgrounds and abilities of individual students.

(5)     Elective Courses
Opportunities to take supporting courses and elective courses are provided. Included also are seminars
covering current technical developments and Air Force projects. Electives are used to make up for
undergraduate deficiencies and failed courses, prepare for future assignments, increase depth in a
specialty, develop an additional specialty, or pursue individual interests in taking courses not normally
found in a materials science and engineering program.

Administrative

This program is of a multidisciplinary nature and will be updated, changed and/or modified in
consultation with Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory. The
curriculum committee will consist of at least one member from the Department of Aeronautics and
Astronautics, one from the Department of Engineering Physics, and the one from the Materials and
Manufacturing Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory. Students with Ed Codes of 4FAY and
4FBY will be the responsibility of ENY and ENP, respectively, and will accordingly follow the rules and
regulations of these departments. Students with the Ed Code 4FYY will initially report to the chairman of
the GMS Curriculum Committee, who will assign these students to either ENY or ENP depending upon
whether their interest and background is in the area of Structural (ENY) or Non-Structural (ENP)
materials. For all GMS students, a form 69 will be signed by the Head of both the Department of
Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Department of Engineering Physics.
Sample Program--18 Month GMS Thesis Student
                          Master of Science in Materials Science
                            September - March (18 Months)

  Short Term Review (4 weeks)
  Mathematics
  Physics
  Computers
  1st Quarter                                                                           Credit
  Fall                                                                                  Hours
  AERO 698                               Graduate Aero & Astro Seminar                    1
  XXXX xxx                               MATH I3                                          4
  MATL 560                               Electronic, Magnetic and Optical Materials       4
  XXXX xxx                               Sequence/Elective/Prerequisite                   4
  XXXX xxx                               Sequence/Elective/Prerequisite                   4
                                                                                         17
  2nd Quarter
  Winter
  XXXX xxx                               MATH II3                                        4
  MATL 680                               Materials Characterization                       4
  XXXX xxx                               Sequence/Elective                                4
  XXXX xxx                               Sequence/Elective                                4
                                                                                         16
  3rd Quarter
  Spring
  MATL 525                               Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Materials         4
  XXXX xxx                               Sequence/Elective                                4
  XXXX xxx                               Sequence/Elective                                4
  XXXX xxx                               Elective                                         4
                                                                                         16
  4th Quarter
  Summer
  MATL 799                               Thesis Research                                 2-4
  XXXX xxx                               Sequence/Elective                                4
  XXXX xxx                               Sequence/Elective                                4
  XXXX xxx                               Sequence/Elective                                4
                                                                                        14-16
  5th Quarter
  Fall
  MATL 799                               Thesis Research                                 4-7
  MATL 545                               Mechanical Properties of Materials               4
  XXXX xxx                               Sequence/Elective                                4
                                                                                        12-15
  6th Quarter
  Winter
  MATL 799                               Thesis Research                                 3-6
  MATL 685                               Materials Selection and Processing               4
  XXXX xxx                               Sequence/Elective                                4
                                                                                        11-14

                                         TOTAL                                          72-74
Note: This program is intended to be typical for a full-time Air Force quota student.
Program Notes

1. The purpose of this curriculum guide is to assist the student and advisor in defining the best possible
curriculum for each student. The above-listed curriculum guide represents a typical course load expected
of full-time, 18-month, Air Force quota students. Some of these curriculum requirements are alterable if
adequate justification exists.

2. The specific program requirements for Materials Science are:

             a. Core courses in Materials Science: MATL 545, MATL 525, MATL 560, MATL 680, and
             MATL 685
             b. At least one graduate mathematics course
             c. One sequence, which may be determined by student's Ed Code
             d. Twelve credit hours work of thesis
             e. In addition to curriculum requirements specified for the degree, a minimum course load
             of 12-credit hours per quarter (average) is required for full-time Air Force quota students.
             For purposes of reducing latter quarter course loads, programs containing an overload (more
             than four courses) in the first 3 quarters may be approved in certain cases.

3. Recommended courses are MATH 511 - Methods of Applied Math I; MATH 513- Methods of
Applied Math II; STAT 527 - Introduction to Probability; STAT 537 - Introduction to Statistics; and
MATH 508 - Numerical Methods.

               Ed Code         Sequence

               4FAY            Structural Materials1

               4FBY            Electronic and Optical Materials2

1.   Prerequisite to this sequence is an advanced undergraduate course on mechanics of materials.
2.   Prerequisite to this sequence is PHYS 531 - Electromagnetism and PHYS 655 - Quantum Mechanics I.