Postgraduate Courses
AMAT
Advanced Materials
- AMAT 5200Machine Learning for Materials Science[3-0-0:3]BackgroundCalculus, linear algebra, probability, coding in Python, some knowledge in differential equations will be very helpful but not required.DescriptionThis course aims to provide students training with a convergence of the two disciplines of Materials Science and Machine Learning (ML). We will start from machine learning basics, its mathematical foundations, then move on to modern machine learning methods for materials science problems and hands-on study with Python. Particularly, students will learn about how to combine the data-driven ML techniques with existing knowledge of materials science to give reliable physical predictions. Various case studies will be discussed, with real-world materials science applications.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Understand a variety of modern machine learning methods.
- 2.Understand the importance of incorporating physical knowledge into machine learning algorithms.
- 3.Understand how to evaluate models generated from data.
- 4.Develop an appreciation for physics-based machine learning models for material design/prediction.
- 5.Apply the machine learning algorithms to a real materials science problem, optimize the models learned and report on the expected accuracy that can be achieved.
- AMAT 5700High-throughput Experimental Processing for New Materials Development[3-0-3:4]DescriptionHigh-throughput experimental methods together with material-based modelling will be introduced for the accelerated discovery of new materials. We will use case studies ranging from polymer synthesis, polymer fabrication to illustrate how the properties such as optical, electronic, mechanical, thermal and others are related to the structures of the materials for use in energy, transportation and biotechnology. The students can then appreciate the high-throughput experimental methods to real-world materials discovery and characterization problems.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Identify the key events in high-throughput materials design.
- 2.Describe the physical significances of high-throughput methods (both computational and experimental).
- 3.Explain the principles of high-throughput characterizations.
- 4.Explain the principles of high throughput methods for materials screening for materials discovery.
- 5.Find processing-property-structure relationships for new material discovery.
- AMAT 5750Statistical Thermodynamics of Chain Molecules[3-0-3:4]DescriptionThis course will introduce the statistical models to describe the equilibrium and dynamics of polymer chains in equilibrium. First, various models of polymer chains in statics (or equilibrium) will be described. Then the statics of polymer chain in solution will be introduced. Finally, the non-equilibrium polymer chain dynamics will be introduced through molecular dynamics simulation of various ensembles.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Identify significance of thermodynamics and statistical physics in soft mater research.
- 2.Define the fundamental principles in the development of computational and theoretical models.
- 3.Apply the contemporary research techniques and their applications.
- AMAT 5800Characterization and Processing of Functional Materials[3-0-3:4]DescriptionThis course covers the fundamental concepts that govern the properties of some functional materials which are important to current technologies. It will also cover the experimental tools to characterize these properties. Focus will be on peculiar property of these functional materials, for example, electrical properties of perovskites in terms of piezoelectricity, pyroelectricity and ferroelectricity. Materials formulation and fabrications will be described and limitations of the materials and processing of these functional materials will be highlighted from the perspective of new materials requirement and industry demands.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Define the principles, processing and functional properties of functional materials.
- 2.Elucidate the properties of functional materials with their structure.
- 3.Describe the processing methods for the fabrication of these functional materials.
- 4.Perform various characterization experiments and analyze the structure property relationships.
- AMAT 5900Molecular Physics and Optoelectronic Processes[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course will cover the physics of the electronic structure of pi-conjugated materials and their neutral, excited and charged states (excitons, polarons), their optical properties (absorption, emission), photophysical processes, photochemistry, energy transfer and charge transport. It will introduce the principles of design and operation of molecular based light emitting devices, solar cells etc. as well as providing an introduction to device fabrication and device engineering for maximum performance and lifetime.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Understand the basic physics of organic semiconductors introducing the concept of π-conjugation and the electronic structure of π-conjugation materials.
- 2.Understand the optoelectronic processes occurring at these materials including their neutral, excited and charged states.
- 3.Evaluate the basic performance of molecular based LEDs and solar cells.
- 4.Identify the key design principles and operations of molecular based LEDs and solar cells.
- 5.Engage critical thinking skills that are essential for materials science and engineering.
- AMAT 6990MPhil Thesis ResearchDescriptionMaster's thesis research supervised by co-advisors from different disciplines. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Design, develop and conduct cross-disciplinary research in Advanced Materials.
- 2.Communicate research findings effectively in written and oral presentations.
- 3.Synthesize and create new knowledge, and make a contribution to the field.
- AMAT 7990Doctoral Thesis ResearchDescriptionOriginal and independent doctoral thesis research supervised by co-advisors from different disciplines. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Design, develop and conduct cross-disciplinary research in Advanced Materials.
- 2.Communicate research findings effectively in written and oral presentations.
- 3.Demonstrate mastery of knowledge in the chosen field of research.
- 4.Synthesize and create original new knowledge.
- 5.Make substantial original contributions to the field of study.
