515.800.21 - Independent Study in Materials Science and Engineering

Expanded Course Description

This course will examine the fundamental structure and property relationships in ceramic materials. Areas to be studied include the chemistry and structure of ceramics and glasses, microstructure and property relationships, ceramic phase relationships, processing, and ceramic properties, Particular emphasis will be placed on the physical chemistry of particulate systems, characterization, and the physical properties of ceramics.

Course Structure

We will discuss approx 1-2 Chapters per week.  I will post the power point slides the beginning of the week to be discussed on Thursdays

Course Topics

• Atomic structure and bonding of crystalline ceramics and glasses
• Point defects, Kroger-Vink notation, defect reaction equilibria
• Mechanical Properties (fracture, creep, fatigue, crack growth, strength, toughness)
• Diffusion and electrical conductivity
• Thermal and dielectric properties of ceramics
• Phase equilibria
• Surfaces, surface forces
• Sintering and grain growth of ceramics
• Thermodynamics and free energies of formation
• Processing

Course Goals

Specific goals for this course are that (1) Students will develop an understanding of the structure of ceramic materials on multiple length scales (2) Students will develop an appreciation for the uses of ceramic materials (3) Students will develop knowledge of the sintering processes and structures (4) Students will develop an understanding of the influence of defect concentration on ionic and electrical conductivity (5) Students will develop an understanding of the thermodynamic stability of ceramic materials in various environments (6) Students will develop an understanding of the thermal and dielectric properties of ceramic materials (7) Students will develop an understanding of the mechanical properties of ceramics, including an appreciation of the difference between strength and toughness

Textbooks

MW Barsoum, Fundamentals of Ceramics, 2nd edition (1st edition ok)

Student Coursework Requirements

Homework total  60%
Final Project Report  25%
Class Participation     15%

Grading Policy

EP uses a +/- grading system 

Course Evaluation

Feedback will be given online as well as written on the homework

Course Policies

Students will let the professor know of any absences so work and lectures can be made up.

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.