This junior level course is an introduction to the materials that mechanical engineers encounter in the practice of their profession. It is, first of all, intended to supply the student with a vocabulary. But, it goes deeper, introducing the student to the reasoning processes used in choosing materials, and making existing materials better. It is intended to help you think of intelligent things to say about materials in your next interview.

The course project involves the student in investigating issues involving choice of materials or development of modern materials. The results of the research are to be presented in a poster session and a website.