Materials Science

Introduction

The field of Materials Science addresses the challenges of creating, understanding, and using new materials to meet the technological needs of the 21st century. Materials such as alloys, polymers and composites, and semiconductors play important roles in the modern economy where they are used in a wide range of applications, from clean energy to medicine, and aerospace to microelectronics. Materials Science is an interdisciplinary area of study exploring the broad spectrum of materials from basic atomic and molecular scales through macroscopic engineered products. At Western Washington University Materials Science is represented through a diversified and collaborative program based on an interdisciplinary set of courses, faculty, research projects and facilities drawn from several departments.

The Materials Science minor at Western Washington University complements major degree programs such as chemistry, engineering technology, geology, and physics by providing an interdisciplinary perspective preparing graduates to work at the boundaries between disciplines. Students electing the minor begin their studies in a four course sequence teaching fundamental concepts and practical skills in materials preparation and characterization (MSCI 201, 320, 330 and 410). These courses are taught by faculty from several departments and involve a variety of facilities and instrumentation. Topics covered include: chemical, mechanical, electronic, and optical properties; polymers and composites, engineering alloys and ceramics, semiconductors and nanomaterials; and applications of materials in modern contexts such as photovoltaics, fuel cells, microelectronics, and geomaterials.

Culminating the minor is a capstone experience involving six credits of intensive research under the guidance of an AMSEC faculty mentor or an internship with a partner company. The research experience or internship is usually performed in the junior or senior year, although for students who become involved in research earlier, it may in some cases be part of a longer term project. Students should consult with the program advisor for assistance in arranging their experience. The capstone practicum is intended to provide opportunities to apply concepts learned in the classroom and laboratory, preparing professionals ready for graduate study or employment in industry.

Faculty

STEVEN R. EMORY (2001) Director and Assistant Professor. BS, California Lutheran University; PhD, Indiana University.
MARK E. BUSSELL (1990) Professor. BA, Reed College; PhD, University of California-Berkeley.
SUSAN M. DeBARI (1998) Associate Professor. BA, Cornell University; PhD, Stanford University.
MILTON FROM (1998) Associate Professor. BSC, University of Manitoba; MSc, PhD, McGill University.
JOHN GILBERTSON (2008) Assistant Professor. BA, Augustana College; MS, PhD, University of Oregon.
NICOLE HOEKSTRA (1998) Professor. BSME, MSME, University of Minnesota, Institute of Technology.
BERNARD A. HOUSEN (1997) Associate Professor. BS, University of Washington; MS, PhD, University of Michigan.
BRAD L. JOHNSON (1997) Professor. BS, MSBS, University of Colorado- Colorado Springs; PhD, University of Colorado-Boulder.
KATHLEEN L. KITTO (1998) Professor. BS, MSME, Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology.
NICOLE M. LARSON (2005) Assistant Professor. BSME, Bradley University; MSME, University of Washington.
JANELLE LEGER (2008) Assistant Professor. BS University of California Davis; PhD, University of California at Santa Cruz.
STEPHEN McDOWALL (2001) Associate Professor. BS, MS, University of Cantebury, New Zealand; PhD, University of Washington.
AMANDA MURPHY (2006) Assistant Professor. BS, Western Washington University; PhD, University of California, Berkley.
DAVID L. PATRICK (1996) Professor. BS, University of California-Davis; PhD, University of Utah.
ELIZABETH A. RAYMOND (2006) Assistant Professor. BA, Whitman College; PhD, University of Oregon.
DAVID RIDER (2007) Assistant Professor. BSc, Simon Fraser University; PhD, University of Toronto.
ANDREAS RIEMANN (2006) Assistant Professor. BS, MS, University Halle, Germany; PhD, Free University Berlin, Germany.
TAKELE SEDA (2002) Assistant Professor. BS, Asmara University (Eritrea); MS, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia; PhD, University of Witwattersand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
SERGEY SMIRNOV (2008) Assistant Professor. BS, MS, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology; PhD, State University of New York at Stony Brook.
P. CLINT SPIEGEL (2007) Assistant Professor, BS, Oregon State University; PhD, University of Washington.
JAMES R. VYVYAN (1997) Professor. BS, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; PhD, University of Minnesota.

Other Departmental Information

Facilities and Resources

The Materials Science minor at Western Washington University is administered by the Advanced Materials Science and Engineering Center (AMSEC), a collaborative, interdisciplinary program within the College of Sciences and Technology. In addition to its educational programs, AMSEC provides leadership in academic research and scholarship while maintaining strong relationships with regional companies. The Center includes faculty and students from across the College involved in researching a wide range of advanced materials, such as polymers and composites, geological and magnetic materials, organic and inorganic synthesis, materials for clean energy, theory and modeling, and nanomaterials. The Center also operates a shared, open access Materials Characterization Laboratory housing state of-the-art x-ray diffraction, thin film preparation, mass spec, microscopy and thermal analysis equipment.

Undergraduate Programs

Materials Science Minor

Materials Science Courses

Click here to view a list of courses.