SYLLABUS for EMA 4913/4914

                          RESEARCH IN MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

 

 

 

Grading:  50% in class (JJM);  50% in laboratory research (mentor)

 

            In Class

                 Attendance                                          40%

                 Quizzes                                               20%

                 Oral Presentations                               20%

                 Progress Reports                                 20%

            In Laboratory

                 Laboratory Technique                         20%

                 Laboratory Safety                               10%

                 Laboratory Notebook                         15%

                 Progress Reports                                 20%

                 Final Report                                        20%

                 Oral Presentation                                 15%

 

 

Equipment Required:

 

            Bound Engineering Laboratory Notebook - Pages must be numbered and name clearly marked (this will be provided)

            Safety Glasses

            Leather Shoes/Sneakers

 

 

 

Course Objectives:

 

            1.     To familiarize the student with safety precautions and laboratory procedures regarding the use of equipment, chemicals and notebooks.

 

            2.     To assist the student in identifying a specific area of research that is of mutual interest to the student and professor.

 

            3.     To assist the student in selecting a specific problem around which a research or design project can be formulated, implemented and completed within a two-semester time frame.

 

            4.     To instruct the student on how to effectively communicate the results of his/her research in the form of written reports, publishable manuscripts and oral presentations.

 

 

Course Overview:

 

During the semester prior to initiating his/her senior research, the student is encouraged to become familiar with the research interests of the department faculty.  This can be accomplished by reading the Research Activities Report published by the department, individual meetings with faculty members and discussions with other students (undergraduate and graduate) who are familiar with specific faculty research interests.

 

The student should select a faculty advisor prior to the semester in which he/she is scheduled to begin EMA 4913.  A list with the student's top three choices (three separate faculty members) should be given to the Academic Affairs Office as soon as possible, but before the beginning of the Fall Semester.  There will be a designated faculty member assigned to facilitate the process of selection.  Once the choice is approved, the student should notify the faculty member, first through a meeting and then in writing, that he/she is planning to do senior research under that professor's supervision.  The written agreement will be filed in the Academic Affairs Office.  The student must be sure to include the semester intended for the beginning of the research.

 

Faculty members are being asked to limit their new student selection to two per semester, so it is in the student's best interest to refrain from procrastination.

 

There will be an organizational meeting of EMA 4913 the first week of classes in the Fall Semester and several follow-up classes for instructional information and discussion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project Planning:

 

The first step to any successful project is identification of the project goal.  It requires some preliminary study of the problem at hand and organization of its many facets.  Therefore, one must review the literature as it pertains to the area of interest.  A proper review of the literature requires one to identify the key words, phrases, and researchers.  This is normally available from your advisor.

 

Once the literature search is complete, and you have developed a clear understanding of the problem, you can develop the goal statement.  This should be a clear and concise statement.  It can often be formatted as a null hypothesis.

 

The second stage is the identification of tasks required to achieve the goal of the project.  Each task is assigned a number and a brief description.

 

The task is then assigned a time resource.  The time resource may be the most difficult aspect of project planning.  Be conservative!  You will learn that even the best planners tend to be optimistic when entering new areas for which standard time estimates are not available.  However, by careful consideration of the project by parts, i.e., tasks, you will be much more accurate in assignment of time resources.

 

Along with time resources, consider materials and equipment required for each task.  It is often helpful to assign "Obtain Materials" as a task.  Remember to ask suppliers the two key questions:  How much? and When will I receive it?

 

A project planner chart is attached as Addendum I.

 

The third stage is the time line chart.  The line chart is a method of monitoring your progress so that you can answer the question:  When will I receive it?

 

Each task is given a one or two word title and entered onto the time line chart in chronological order.  You then either X out the appropriate boxes to indicate the time required to complete the task or you simply draw a line from the starting date to estimated completion date.  This should be updated weekly for a two semester project.

 

Use a highlighter to indicate progress.  Green for on time, red for a delay and yellow for potential problems.  This system can be modified for your personal style, but does require constant review.

 

The schedule can be revised as unforeseen factors enter into the project.  These may be either positive or negative factors.

 

The time line chart is included as Addendum II.

 Schedule:

 

       Week                                                                           Activity                                                     

 

Semester 1

 

        1-2                     Be assigned to a graduate student who will provide laboratory guidance and assist with the experimental design, ordering supplies and scheduling equipment.

 

        3-4                     Begin literature search and become familiar with available lab equipment.

 

          5                       Turn in draft of experimental protocol.

 

          6                       Refine experimental protocol.  Present to group. Review lab safety manuals.

 

          7                       After approval of protocol, begin research, order supplies and review laboratory notebook procedures.

 

       8-13                    Proceed with lab experiments or design program.  Consult with advisor when necessary.

 

         14                      Present a 10-minute oral report to faculty advisor and other senior research students.  A written four to five page report is due at this time.  This report is to include a statement of the problem, experimental protocol and status of the research or design problem.

 

Semester 2

 

       1-10                    Continue lab experiments or design project.

 

      11-13                   Prepare report in the form of a technical paper following the guidelines of an acceptable journal in your field, e.g., Metallurgical Transactions, J. American Ceramic Society of J. Polymer Science.

 

         14                      Present a 15-minute oral report.  Prior to this presentation, submit to your faculty advisor a types report, preferably in the form noted above, but not to exceed 5,000 words.

 

 

 

 

Suggested Format of Laboratory Notebook:

 

Registered:            Each notebook will be assigned a number.  This number will be recorded in a log book maintained by the instructor.  The notebook, which will be issued by the instructor, will be returned at the end of each semester before a grade can be issued.

 

Recording:            All entries are to be made in permanent blue or black ink.

 

                            DO NOT ERASE ANY ENTRY.  Simply draw a single line through any error and initial it.  The corrected entry should be made immediately adjacent or in the margin.

 

                            Each page should have a date, title and identification of whether it is continued from the previous page.

 

                            Write on one side of each page, i.e., do not write on back of pages.

 

                            Each page should contain entries for a single day.  If the entry for a particular day does not continue, simply draw a line through the open space.  Begin a new page each day.  You must sign the bottom of each page indicating the author of the work.

 

                            A table of contents according to the experiment should be maintained in the front four pages of the notebook.

 

                            Record all information pertinent to the experiment.  Temperature, time, relative humidity, instrument parameters, calibration, pressure, etc.  You must understand the procedure completely to effectively determine information pertinent to your experiment.

 

Sample ID:           Label each sample according to the following scheme:

 

                            Notebook Number - Page Number - Sample Number

                                          014                             23                           238:1

 

                            Notebook Number - Number issued and recorded on binding.

 

                            Page Number - The page on which the sample is initially described.

 

                            Sample Number - A logical number assigned by the investigator.

 

Sample ID:           (Continued)

                            The Julian Calendar designation is very useful for studies wherein the age of the sample is important.  The Julian calendar numbers days sequentially, e.g., 1 through 365(6).  Thus, a number might be 014‑23‑238:1 for the sample recorded on August 26, 1993 in book 014 on page 23.

 

Results:                 All computer printouts from spreadsheet operations, analyses, etc., should be taped into the notebook page(s).  No staples or paper clips should be used.  Initial and date each attachment.  It should not conceal any information on the page.

 

Laboratory Procedures:

 

Safety:                  You must read and sign off on the laboratory safety manual MSDS sheet and Right-To-Know Information prior to any work in the laboratory.  You must be totally responsible for your safety and your fellow investigators.  This means to correct deficiencies or notify me immediately so that accidents can be avoided.  DO NOT WORK IN THE LABORATORY ALONE!  Always let someone know where you are and when you'll be there.  Accidents do happen.  Protect yourself.

 

Equipment:            You will be expected to learn all equipment required for your project.  In addition, you are encouraged to learn the operation of equipment that may be useful to your career.  You will be authorized to use it only after demonstrating a proficiency deemed appropriate by the person responsible for the equipment.  Your privileges will be revoked if you do not follow the recommended procedures and accepted practices.

 

General:                The laboratory is a crowded facility requiring each person to be considerate of others.  Keep your area clean.  Clean all equipment.  Have equipment repaired immediately.  Notify appropriate people of any problems.  ALWAYS ASK IF IN DOUBT.  You will have to recognize your own limits and seek help at certain times.  This is the best policy to protect you and optimize your time.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                         ADDENDUM I

 

                                                                                                           EMA 4913/4914

                                                                    RESEARCH IN MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

                                                                                                    PROJECT PLANNING

 

PROJECT TITLE:                                                                                      PREPARED BY: _________________________                            

 

Identify the tasks that must be completed to meet the goal of the project.  Therefore the goal must be clearly defined before you begin this phase.  See your advisor for assistance.

 

TASK                                      DESCRIPTION (BE CONCISE)                                    EST. TIME TO COMPLETE TASK

 

                                                                                                                                              ADDENDUM II

 

INVESTIGATOR:                                                                                           PROJECT PLANNING CHART

PROJECT TITLE:                                                                                            RESEARCH IN MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

ESTIMATED START DATE:                   

ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE:                   

 

                                                                  WEEK FOR SCHEDULED ACTIVITY

          TASK