Materials Characterization Methods

This course will be a broad introduction to materials science characterization methods. Lectures will complement project based, team executed laboratories focused on solving problems using characterization methods. Lectures will present core fundamentals of the science underlying the methods, with special attention devoted to how students can teach themselves the practical aspects of the instrumentation. This parallels a professional setting where laboratory scientists and engineers need to solve problems by understanding which methods are most appropriate, and assembling the knowledge gained into a synthesis of understanding. The teams will then prepare their results in each of five formats during the course.