Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Materials Science (Face-to-Face)

ME 3100-01

Course: ME 3100-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ET
CRN: 31127

Course Description

Internal atomic, molecular, crystalline, organic, amorphous structures, and dependence of physical properties upon these structures. Properties, requirements, and uses of modem engineering materials. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): CHEM 1210 and CHEM 1215 and MATH 1210 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: D- Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

Material Science and Engineering: An Introduction, 10th edition, by Callister and Reth-wisch (Hardcopy OR online via McGraw Hill Connect)

Learning Outcomes

After taking this class, students should be able to:
1)      Explain the major differences in properties due to molecular bonding and lattice structures.
2)      Recognize microstructure differences between pearlite, martensite, and nodular cast iron.
3)      Describe the motion of dislocations during plastic deformation of metal.
4)      Explain how precipitation hardening increases the strength of metals and what may negate the hardening effect.
5)      Use the iron-carbon phase diagram to predict the phase fractions of cast iron.
6)      Explain the effect of annealing on the tensile strength of metals.

 

Course Requirements

  • Pre-Lectures - Students will be required to answer questions pertaining to specific sections of the text before class begins.
  • Homework Quizzes - Homework problems will be assigned to reemphasize material covered in class videos, pre-lecture assignments and class lectures. 
  • Homework Written - A written version of the homework quizzes must be submitted and must follow correct engineering format required by the instructor.
  • Exams - Students will take several exams throughout the semester that will cover specific chapters from the textbook.
  • Final Exam - Students will take a comprehensive final exam covering all course material.

Course Outline

1- Mechanical Properties of Metals - Concepts of Stress and Strain
2- Elastic Deformation - Stress-Strain Behavior - Elastic Properties of Materials
3- Plastic Deformation - Tensile Properties - True Stress and Strain- Elastic Recovery After Plastic Deformations - Hardness
4- Variability of Material Properties- Design Factors
5- Failure - Fundamentals of Fracture - Ductile and Brittle Fracture - Principles of Fracture Mechanics - Fracture Toughness Testing
6- Fatigue - Cyclic Stresses - The S-N Curve - Crack Initiation and Propagation - Factors that Affect Fatigue Life
7- Creep- Generalized Creep Behavior - Stress and Temperature Effects
8- Atomic Structure and Interatomic Bonding- Electrons - Periodic Table - Bonding forces and Energies- Primary and Secondary Bonding- Mixed Bonding
9- Structure of Crystalline Solids - Unit Cells - Metallic Crystal Structures - Density Computations - Polymorphism and Allotropy - Crystal Systems
10- Crystallographic Points, Directions and Planes - Linear and Planar Densities - Close-Packed Crystal Structures
11- Crystalline and Non-Crystalline Materials - Single Crystals - Polycrystalline Materials - Anisotropy
12- Imperfections in Solids - Point Defects (Vacancies and Self-Interstitials) - Impurities in Solids - Specifications of Composition
13-Miscellaneous Imperfections - Dislocations - Linear Defects- Atomic Vibrations
14- Diffusion Mechanisms- Fick's First and Second Law of Diffusion
15- Dislocations and Strengthening Mechanisms
16- Dislocation and Plastic Deformation - Slip Systems - Slip in Single Crystals - Polycrystalline Materials - Twinning
17- Mechanisms of Strengthening in Metals - Strengthening and Grain Size - Solid-Solution Strengthening - Strain Hardening 
18- Recovery, Recrystallization and Grain Growth 
19- Phase Transformations - Kinetics - Metastable versus Equilibrium States
20--Microstructural and Property Changes in Iron-Carbon Alloys - Continuous-Cooling Transformation Diagrams
21- Analysis of NITONOL

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late assignments will not be accepted for credit. Unless pre-arranged and approved by the instructor, due-dates for assignments will not be modified.
Exams must be taken as scheduled. Any absence not excused in advance will result in a zero for that exam (with the exception of emergencies discussed below)

Attendance Policy

Class attendance is required. If you miss class, you are responsible for all the material covered and any material (due and/or assigned)

Grading

Grading Scale
   100 %      to      93.3 %
< 93.3 %     to      90.0 %
< 90.0 %     to      86.6 %                                     Assignment Weighting
< 86.6 %     to      83.3 %                                       Pre-Lecture Assignments        10%
< 83.3 %     to      80.0 %                                       Quizzes                                   15%
< 80.0 %     to      76.6 %                                       Written Homework                    5%
< 76.6 %     to      73.3 %                                       Exam 1                                    15%
< 73.3 %     to      70.0 %                                       Exam 2                                    15%
< 70.0 %     to      66.6 %                                       Exam 3                                    15%
< 66.6 %     to      63.3 %                                       Exam 4                                    15%
< 63.3 %     to      60.0 %                                       Comprehensive Final Exam     10%
< 60.0 %     to       0.0 %


ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.