Materials Science and Engineering 863

“Elevated Temperature Deformation of Solids”

Fall 2001

G. S. Daehn and M. J. Mills

Philosophy/Goals:
I have two general goals in this course.  The first is to give an overview of the results that have come from the study of high temperature deformation and to show the persistent phenomenological trends.  We will also study the mechanisms that have been proposed to lead to these trends and this body of knowledge will also be applied to solving engineering problems.  As we study mechanisms it will become clear that while trends in the data may be very clear, the theories put forth to explain these trends are often very crude, but numerous.  That makes this topic area ideal for my second goal; developing your skills in the criticism of scientific literature.  You will be encouraged to evaluate the merit or ‘truth’ in a number of proposed theories.  The homework assignments and project will concentrate on this second goal.  

Evaluation;
    Homework            30%
    Project*            30%
    Final Exam            30%
    Contributions to class†    10%

*  The project may take many forms, it may will be presented orally.  It must require you to either synthesize or criticize some part of the literature.  You will the project as a 20-30 minute lecture and provide an extended abstract with a reference list.  Each project will be discussed with the instructor before completion.  Further details will follow.  

†  Generally this class will be taught in seminar style where discussion is expected.  You will be graded, in part, on the significance and regularity of your contributions.

Text, etc.
There is no formal text.  We will use notes and papers from the literature.

Audit Policy
Students are welcome to participate in this course without a grade being reported.  However, I require that you formally audit through the registrar and that you attempt and turn in homework assignments.