I. Graduate Course “Solid State Physics in Materials Science”

The course introduces students specialized in materials, mechanics, electric engineering and chemistry to the basic and widely used concepts of the solid state physics. The special emphasize on the material aspects of the Solid State Physics will be made. The course objective is to extend understanding of the properties of solids at the microscopic level. The basic materials properties such as crystal lattice vibrations, electron structure of materials, magnetic and ferroelectric properties, a relation between the electron structure, phase transformation, conductivity and optic properties are discussed. The course requires only basic background in mechanics, electricity and magnetism at the undergraduate level.

II. Graduate Course “Phase Transformations”

The updated course covers the modern status of phase transformations in solids. The thermodynamics, microstructure formation, and the structure-property relations of ceramic and metal materials are discussed. In particular, the course discusses the ferroelectric, magnetic and structural transformations (martensitic and ferroelastic) as well as the diffusional (decomposition and ordering) transformations. It is built around the unified modern approach to phase transformations, which reduces the transformations of different kind to the particular cases of the same problem. The new and important field of the nanoscale microstructure evolution will be covered. The electrostatic, magnetic and elastic strain effects on the kinetics and thermodynamics of phase transformations will be considered.

III. Graduate Course “Applied Mathematics in Materials Science”

The course presents the selected and the most frequently used parts of mathematics which are tools in different branches of the materials research. Its purpose is to teach understanding the math in engineering literature and how to use it in different applications. Practical examples of solving typical problems of the materials science and condensed matter physics illustrating the calculation techniques are discussed. The parts of applied mathematics, which are covered, are also used in other areas, in physics, chemistry, electrical engineering, mechanics and etc.
Expected background: elementary knowledge of integration, elementary functions and vector algebra.

IV. Graduate Course “Statistical Thermodynamics in Materials Science”

The course covers statistical aspects of the thermodynamics of materials. It emphasizes relations between the thermodynamics and specific atomic properties of systems. Currently any course in materials science uses the results which require familiarity with this subject. The proposed course will formulate the basic concepts of the statistical thermodynamics and emphasize their practical applications to the problems of materials science and engineering.
The course is designed to provide a solid background for students whose major is materials science, ceramics, polymers and solid state chemistry.