Program Description
Advances in technology depends more and more on the discovery and development of new materials having particular desired properties. In addition to mechanical strength, various structural, optical, electrical, magnetic and thermal properties are demanded from materials depending on the application. The field of Materials Science and Engineering investigates different classes of materials -metals, ceramics, polymers, electronic materials, biomaterials- with an emphasis on the relationships between the underlying structure and the processing, properties, and performance of the materials.
Understanding various material properties is the first step in finding ways to tailor these properties to meet some particular need or application, and for creating entirely new materials having particular desired properties. The M.S. program in Material Science & Engineering at Koç University is an interdisiciplinary program with the objective of giving the students the fundamental physical and chemical knowledge required for material synthesis, structure-property characterization and processing; and complementing this with practical laboratory experience.
Research Areas of Interest
Nano-Structured Materials
Photonic & Laser Materials
Polymeric Materials & Composites
Processing & Device Applications
Faculty and Research Areas
Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Can Erkey ; Synthesis of Nanostructured Materials, Supercritical Fluids, Catalysis, Fuel Cells
- Burak Erman ; Polymeric Solids and Liquids; Rubber Elasticity; Biopolymers
- Halil Kavakli ; Biological Clock, Photoreceptors, Starch Biosynthesis
Chemistry
- A. Levent Demirel ; Nanostructured Materials; Surface & Interface Properties
- Mehmet Somer; Binary and Ternary Nitrides of Metals and Nonmetals,BN, AlN and Si3N4 Ceramics; Nanostructured Oxides, Sulphides and Fluorides; Intermetallic Compounds
- Iskender Yilgor ; Polymer Synthesis, Structure-Property Relationships
- H. Funda Yagci Acar ; Synthesis and Applications of Nanoparticles, Nanomaterials, Polymer Synthesis, Structure-Property Relations, Biomaterials
- Ersin Yurtsever ; Stability and Thermodynamics of Nanostructures
- Ugur Unal ; Synthesis and Applications of Nano size inorganic materials, Functional inorganic Layered Materials, Electrochemical, Photochemical Applications of Inorganic Materials (Solar Cells, Water Splitting, Photocatalytic Applications, Nano Cells)
- Ozgur Birer; Spectroscopy, Nanomaterials, Bio-surfaces
Electrical Engineering
- Hakan Urey ; Microsensors and Microactuators;Nanomagnetic Materials
Mechanical Engineering
- Erdem Alaca ; Micro and Nanofabrication, MEMS-based Biosensors, Materials Behaviour, Engineering Mechanics
- Demircan Canadinc ; Materials Behavior, Multi-scale Experimental and Computational Mechanics of Materials, Mechanically Active Materials, Ultra-fine Grained Materials, Biomaterials, High-Strength Steels
- Ismail Lazoglu ; Manufacturing Automation, Process Modeling/Optimization/Monitoring/Control
- Mehmet Sayar ; Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo Simulation of Soft-condensed Matter, Polymer Physics, Polyelectrolytes, Liquid Crystals, Biologically Inspired Materials, Mechanics of Single Molecules
- Murat Sozer ; Manufacturing of Composite Materials
Physics
- Nihat Berker ; Equilibrium and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics; finite-size, interface, and quantum effects in constrained and driven, magnetic and soft-condensed-matter systems.
- Tekin Dereli ; Geometrical Dynamics of Nanotubes
- Alper Kiraz ; Nano-Optics, Single Molecule Microscopy
- Ozgur Mustecaplioglu ; Optical Properties of Semiconductors
- Alphan Sennaroglu ; Photonic and solid-state materials, Spectroscopy, Femtosecond Optics
- Ali Serpenguzel ; Optoelectronic Materials and Microphotonic Devices
Curriculum
Required core courses (13 credits total):
- Mase 501 Structure of Materials (1,5 credits)
- Mase 502 Electrical & Optical Properties of Materials (1,5 credits)
- Mase 503 Thermodynamics & Kinetics (3 credits)
- Mase 504 Thermal Properties of Materials (1,5 credits)
- Mase 505 Mechanical Properties of Materials (1,5 credits)
- Mase 506 Synthesis, Characterization & Processing of Materials (4 credits)
Elective courses (3 credit each):
- MASE 510 Synthetic Polymer Chemistry
- MASE 511 Introduction to Polymer Science
- MASE 522 Vibrational Spectroscopy
- MASE 530 Materials Behaviour
- MASE 532 Statistical Mechanics of Polymers
- MASE 534 Rubber Elasticity
- MASE 536 Multicomponent Polymeric Systems
- MASE 538 Intermolecular and Surface Forces
- MASE 540 Surface & Interface Properties of Materials
- MASE 542 Biomaterials
- MASE 544 Nanoparticle Science and Technology
- MASE 550 Optical Spectroscopy of Materials and Devices
- MASE 570 Micro and Nanofabrication
- MASE 571 Semiconductor Processing Methods
- ECOE 521 Photonics and Lasers
- ECOE 522 Micro-Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems
- ECOE 525 Photonic Materials & Devices
- MECH 541 Manufacturing of Advanced Engineering Materials
- MECH 543 Computer Integrated Manfucturing and Automation
- MECH 561 Mechanics of Condensed Matter
- MECH 562 Micro and Nanofabricaton
- MECH 564 Viscoelastic Properties of Polymers
Students also have to take:
- Mase 590 Seminar (0 credit)
- Mase 595 M.S. Thesis (0 credit)
Students who have TA assignments must take TEAC 500: Teaching Experience during the semesters of their assignments. Students must also take ENGL 500: Graduate Writing course.
Course Descriptions
MASE 501
Structure of Materials
Structure of materials; atomic structure and bonding, crystalline solids, symmetry, lattice and unit cell, determination of crystal structures; imperfections, defects in metals, vacancies, substitutional and interstitial impurities, dislocation defects in ionic solids. (1,5 credits)
MASE 502
Electrical & Optical Properties of Materials
Electrical properties of materials, band theory of solids, electrical conductivity, metals, semiconductors, and dielectrics; magnetic phenomena, ferromagnetism and diamagnetism, superconductors; optical properties of materials, refractive index, dispersion, absorption and emission of light, nonlinear optical properties, second- and third-order susceptibilities, Raman effect. (1,5 credits)
MASE 503
Thermodynamics & Kinetics
Classical thermodynamics: enthalpy, entropy, free energies, equilibria; introduction to statistical thermodynamics to describe the properties of materials; kinetic processes; diffusion of mass, heat, energy; fundamentals of rate processes in materials, kinetics of transformations.
MASE 504
Thermal Properties of Materials
Thermal properties of metals, polymers, ceramics and composites in relation to their structure & morphology; change in microstructural mechanisms and macroscopic behaviour with temperature; crystallization, melting & glass transition. (1,5 credits)
MASE 505
Mechanical Properties of Materials
Mechanical properties of metals, polymers, ceramics and composites in relation to their structure & morphology; stress-strain behaviour; elastic deformation, yielding, plastic flow; viscoelasticity; strengthening mechanisms, fracture, fatigue, creep. (1,5 credits)
MASE 506
Synthesis, Characterization & Processing of Materials
Experimental projects in the laboratory including topics from polymer synthesis & processing, composite materials, inorganic material/ceramic processing, metal processing, optical properties, electrical & magnetic properties, interfacial properties.
MASE 510
Synthetic Polymer Chemistry
Introduction to polymers (nomenclature, tacticity, molecular weight, physical state, properties & applications); Synthesis of polymers and macromolecular structures: step growth polymerization, chain growth polymerization; polymer reactions.
Prerequisite: At least one semester of organic chemistry or Chem 307.
MASE 511
Introduction to Polymer Science
Differences between the small molecules and macromolecules, thermosets and thermoplastics, and structure-property relationships in polymers. Introduces main polymer families. Also discusses supramolecular structures, blends, composites and IPNs. Pre-requisite: Consent of the instructor.
MASE 522
Vibrational Spectroscopy
(Also CHEM 430)
Molecular symmetry, group theory, reducible and irreducible representation, character tables, introduction to vibrational spectroscopy, Raman effect, infrared absorption, selection rules, pure rotational spectroscopy, normal modes, prediction and interpretation of the vibrational spectra of polyatomic species.
MASE 530
Materials Behaviour
Materials behavior using phenomenological and microstructure-based approaches. Topics include plasticity, fracture, fatigue and micromechanics.
MASE 532
Statistical Mechanics of Polymers
Statistical mechanics of the single chain, configurational averages, polymer solution statistics and thermodynamics, dilute and concentrated polymer solutions, the bulk state of polymers, critical phenomena and phase equilibria; numerical techniques for polymeric systems.
MASE 534
Rubber Elasticity
Classical theories of rubber elasticity, elasticity of the single chain, intermolecular effects, effects of entanglements, relationships between stress and strain, swelling of networks, critical phenomena and phase transitions in gels, thermoelastic behavior of elastomers, computational aspects.
MASE 536
Multicomponent Polymeric Materials
Block and segmented copolymers, polymer blends and composites; design, preparation, properties and applications of multicomponent polymeric materials; phase separation in polymeric systems; structure-morphology-property relations in multicomponent polymers.
Prerequisite: Chem 410, Mase 510, Mase 511.
MASE 538
Intermolecular and Surface Forces
(Also CHEM 438)
Intermolecular forces which govern self-organization of biological and synthetic nanostructures. Thermodynamic aspects of strong (covalent and coulomb interactions) and weak forces (dipolar, hydrogen bonding). Self-assembling systems: micells, bilayers, and biological membranes. Computer simulations for 'hands-on' experience with nanostructures.
Prerequisite: CHEM 301 or consent of the instructor.
MASE 540
Surface & Interface Properties of Materials
(Also CHEM 440)
Fundamental physico-chemical concepts of surface and interface science; interaction forces in interfacial systems; surface thermodynamics, structure and composition, physisorption and chemisorption; fluid interfaces; colloids; amphiphilic systems; interfaces in polymeric systems & polymer composites; liquid coating processes.
MASE 542
Biomaterials
Materials for biomedical applications; synthetic polymers, metals and composite materials as biomaterials; biopolymers, dendrimers, hydrogels, polyelectrolytes, drug delivery systems, implants, tissue grafts, dental materials, ophthalmic materials, surgical materials, imaging materials.
Prerequisite: At least one semester of organic chemistry or the consent of the instructor.
MASE 544
Nanoparticle Science and Technology
Size related properties of nanoparticles; synthetic strategies, main characterization tools, challenges and solutions, surface functionalization, technological applications and current trends.
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.
MASE 550
Optical Spectroscopy of Materials and Devices
Absorption and emission of light, transition probabilities, lifetimes, spontaneous and radiationless transitions, natural linewidth, spectroscopic instrumentation, detection of light, lasers as spectroscopic light sources, fundamentals of lasers, nonlinear optical mixing techniques. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.
MASE 570
Micro and Nanofabrication
Fabrication and characterization of MEMS & NEMS. Topics include microfabrication, microlithography; etching techniques, physical & chemical vapor deposition processes; nanofabrication, top-down approaches, electron-beam lithography, SPM techniques, soft lithography; bottom-up techniques based on self-assembly.
MASE 571
Semiconductor Processing Methods
Introduction, material properties, crystal growth, epitaxy, ion implantation, cleaning, wet etching, photolithography, non-optical lithography, plasma processing, dry etching, metal deposition, diagnostic techniques.
MASE 590
Seminar
A series of lectures given by faculty or outside speakers. Participating students must also make presentations during the semester.
Mase 595
M.S. Thesis
Independent research
TEAC 500
Teaching Experience
Provides hands-on teaching experience to graduate students in undergraduate courses. Reinforces students' understanding of basic concepts and allows them to communicate and apply their knowledge of the subject matter.
ENGL 500
Graduate Writing
This is a writing course specifically designed to improve academic writing skills as well as critical reading and thinking. The course objectives will be met through extensive reading, writing and discussion both in and out of class. Student performance will be assessed and graded by Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
