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James Shackelford

We explore “10 things” that range from the menu of materials available to engineers in their profession to the many mechanical and electrical properties of materials important to their use in various engineering fields. We also discuss the principles behind the manufacturing of those materials.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

* Recognize the important aspects of the materials used in modern engineering applications,

* Explain the underlying principle of materials science: “structure leads to properties,”

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We explore “10 things” that range from the menu of materials available to engineers in their profession to the many mechanical and electrical properties of materials important to their use in various engineering fields. We also discuss the principles behind the manufacturing of those materials.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

* Recognize the important aspects of the materials used in modern engineering applications,

* Explain the underlying principle of materials science: “structure leads to properties,”

* Identify the role of thermally activated processes in many of these important “things” – as illustrated by the Arrhenius relationship.

* Relate each of these topics to issues that have arisen (or potentially could arise) in your life and work.

If you would like to explore the topic in more depth you may purchase Dr. Shackelford's Textbook:

J.F. Shackelford, Introduction to Materials Science for Engineers, Eighth Edition, Pearson Prentice-Hall, Upper

Saddle River, NJ, 2015

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview / The Menu of Materials / Point Defects Explain Solid State Diffusion
Welcome to week 1! In lesson one, you will learn to recognize the six categories of engineering materials through examples from everyday life, and we’ll discuss how the structure of those materials leads to their properties. Lesson two explores how point defects explain solid state diffusion. We will illustrate crystallography – the atomic-scale arrangement of atoms that we can see with the electron microscope. We will also describe the Arrhenius Relationship, and apply it to the number of vacancies in a crystal. We’ll finish by discussing how point defects facilitate solid state diffusion, and applying the Arrhenius Relationship to solid state diffusion.
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Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Introduces topics that range from the types of materials engineers use to the properties of those materials, suitable for people with little to no background in materials science
Requires no external textbooks, which can save learners time and money
Covers the fundamentals of materials science, which can be useful for students in STEM fields and professionals in the materials industry
Provides an introduction to the Arrhenius relationship in materials science, which is a fundamental concept for understanding the behavior of materials at different temperatures
Offers a wide range of topics, from materials selection to manufacturing processes, providing a broad overview of materials science

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Reviews summary

Clear materials science for engineers

According to learners, this course offers a solid foundation in materials science, covering the fundamental concepts every engineer should know. Students highlight the instructor's ability to provide clear explanations, making potentially complex topics accessible and easy to understand. The course is praised for its focus on engineering applications, offering practical examples that are highly relevant to professional work. While the pace is generally considered good, some learners noted needing to rewatch lectures to fully grasp the material. The course effectively introduces the '10 things' promised, though a few reviewers felt certain areas could benefit from greater depth. Overall, the feedback is largely positive, indicating it's a valuable resource for engineers seeking a foundational understanding of materials science.
Good overview, some topics could be deeper.
"It's a great introduction, but doesn't go into deep detail on every 'thing'."
"Provides a broad overview; wishing for more in-depth coverage on certain properties."
"Covers the 10 topics well, but if you need advanced knowledge, this is just the start."
Good pace but may require rewatching.
"The pace is good, but some concepts require pausing and rewatching the videos."
"Moves quickly through certain topics, so be prepared to dedicate time for review."
"Found the speed manageable, but definitely had to hit pause a few times to process."
Provides essential materials science basics.
"This course gave me a really strong foundation in materials science fundamentals."
"Great overview of the core concepts essential for any engineer."
"It covers the basics thoroughly, setting you up well for more advanced study if needed."
Instructor makes complex topics understandable.
"The instructor is excellent at explaining complex topics in a very clear and concise manner."
"I found the explanations easy to follow, even for someone relatively new to the subject."
"The clarity of the lectures was a major plus for me; everything was logically presented."
Focuses on practical applications for engineers.
"The course is very practical and relevant to real-world engineering problems."
"I appreciated the focus on how these concepts apply directly to my work as an engineer."
"Uses excellent examples that connect the science to everyday engineering applications."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Materials Science: 10 Things Every Engineer Should Know with these activities:
Review crystallography
This activity will help you strengthen your knowledge of crystallography before you start your studies in Introduction to Materials Science.
Browse courses on Crystallography
Show steps
  • Read the chapter on crystallography in your textbook.
  • Complete the practice problems at the end of the chapter.
  • Watch a video lecture on crystallography.
Compile and review course materials
This activity will help you stay organized and keep track of the course materials.
Show steps
  • Download and print the course syllabus.
  • Create a folder on your computer for the course materials.
  • File notes and assignments in the appropriate folders.
Tutorials on the Arrhenius Relationship
This activity will help you develop a deeper understanding of the Arrhenius Relationship and its applications in materials science.
Show steps
  • Find a series of tutorials on the Arrhenius Relationship.
  • Work through the tutorials, taking notes and completing any practice problems.
  • Apply what you have learned to solve problems related to materials science.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Practice problems on mechanical properties
This activity will help you develop your problem-solving skills and deepen your understanding of mechanical properties.
Browse courses on Mechanical Properties
Show steps
  • Find a set of practice problems on mechanical properties.
  • Work through the problems, checking your answers against the provided solutions.
  • Identify the concepts that you are struggling with and review those concepts.
Compile and review lecture notes
This activity will help you stay organized and keep track of the lecture notes.
Show steps
  • Attend the lectures and take notes.
  • Review your notes after each lecture.
  • Organize your notes into a logical system.
Practice problems on fracture toughness
This activity will help you develop your problem-solving skills and deepen your understanding of fracture toughness.
Browse courses on Fracture Toughness
Show steps
  • Find a set of practice problems on fracture toughness.
  • Work through the problems, checking your answers against the provided solutions.
  • Identify the concepts that you are struggling with and review those concepts.
Practice problems on fatigue
This activity will help you develop your problem-solving skills and deepen your understanding of fatigue.
Browse courses on Fatigue
Show steps
  • Find a set of practice problems on fatigue.
  • Work through the problems, checking your answers against the provided solutions.
  • Identify the concepts that you are struggling with and review those concepts.
Create a summary of the course
This activity will help you summarize the key concepts of the course and reinforce your learning.
Show steps
  • Review your notes and the course materials.
  • Identify the key concepts of the course.
  • Write a summary of the key concepts.

Career center

Learners who complete Materials Science: 10 Things Every Engineer Should Know will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Metallurgical Engineer
Metallurgical Engineers, who earn a yearly median income of $99,990, work with the extraction and processing of metals. You will need a strong understanding of the principles of materials science and metallurgy. This course will help you build a foundation in materials science and provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to be successful in this field.
Nanotechnologist
Nanotechnologists earn a yearly median salary of $116,380 and work with the design and development of nanomaterials. You will need a strong understanding of the principles of materials science and nanotechnology. This course will help you build a foundation in materials science and provide you with the knowledge and skills needed in this field.
Polymer Engineer
Polymer Engineers who make a yearly median salary of $109,690 research, design, and develop polymers for use in a variety of applications. You will need a strong understanding of the principles of materials science and polymers. This course will help you build a foundation in materials science and provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive.
Ceramic Engineer
Ceramic Engineers earn a yearly median salary of $105,410 and design and develop ceramic materials for use in a variety of applications. You will need a strong understanding of the principles of materials science and ceramics. This course will help you build a foundation in materials science and provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this field.
Materials Engineer
Materials Engineers bring in an annual median salary of $100,020 and typically hold a Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Materials Science or a related field. As a Materials Engineer, you will apply the principles of materials science to the development of new materials. You will need a strong understanding of the structure, properties, and behavior of materials, as well as the ability to design and test new materials. This course will help you build a foundation in materials science and provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to be successful in this field.
Materials Scientist
Materials Scientists who take home a yearly median salary of $100,090 research the structure and properties of materials. You will need a strong understanding of the principles of materials science and chemistry. This course will help you build a foundation in materials science and provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to be successful in this field.
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers earn a yearly median income of $88,240 and design and build infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. You will need a strong understanding of the principles of structural engineering and materials science. This course will help you build a foundation in materials science and provide you with the knowledge and skills to understand the behavior of materials under different conditions.
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineers who bring home a yearly median income of $88,740 work with the design, development, and manufacturing of mechanical systems. You will need a strong understanding of the principles of mechanics, materials science, and thermodynamics. This course will help you build a foundation in materials science and provide you with the knowledge and skills to understand the behavior of materials under different conditions.
Chemical Engineer
Chemical Engineers who bring home a yearly median salary of $108,080 oversee the design, construction, and operation of chemical plants and processes. You will need a strong understanding of the principles of chemistry, materials science, and thermodynamics. This course will help you build a foundation in materials science and provide you with the knowledge and skills needed in this field.
Product Designer
Product Designers, who make a yearly median salary of $115,170, design and develop products for use by consumers. You will need a strong understanding of the principles of design and materials science. This course will help you build a foundation in materials science and provide you with the knowledge and skills to understand the behavior of materials under different conditions.
Quality Control Manager
Quality Control Managers who take in a yearly median salary of $101,820 ensure that products meet quality standards. You will need a strong understanding of the principles of quality control and materials science. This course will help you build a foundation in materials science and provide you with the knowledge and skills to understand the behavior of materials under different conditions.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers earn a yearly median income of $76,950 and write technical documentation, such as manuals and reports. You will need a strong understanding of the principles of technical writing and materials science. This course will help you build a foundation in materials science and provide you with the knowledge and skills to understand the behavior of materials under different conditions.
Science Teacher
Science Teachers earn a yearly median income of $61,920 and teach science to students at the elementary, middle, or high school level. You will need a strong understanding of the principles of materials science and pedagogy. This course will help you build a foundation in materials science and provide you with the knowledge and skills to understand the behavior of materials under different conditions.
Patent Attorney
Patent Attorneys make a yearly median salary of $126,930 and work with the preparation and filing of patents. You will need a strong understanding of the principles of patent law and materials science. This course may be useful in providing you with a basic understanding of materials science that can be helpful in your work.
Investment Banker
Investment Bankers who earn a yearly median salary of $91,830 provide financial advice to companies and individuals. You will need a strong understanding of the principles of finance and materials science. This course may be useful in providing you with a basic understanding of materials science that can be helpful in your work.

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Materials Science: 10 Things Every Engineer Should Know.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of materials science and engineering with a focus on applications, design, and properties.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of materials science and engineering with a focus on the art and science of material selection in product design.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of materials science and engineering with a focus on engineering applications.

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