COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: MATERIALS SCIENCE

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
CE 122	C	2	3	0	2	3	4

Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)	Dr. Anila Xhahysa axhahysa@epoka.edu.al
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Dr. Anila Xhahysa axhahysa@epoka.edu.al , 8:30-17:30
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	NA
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Compulsory
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	Bachelor in Civil Engineering (3 years)
Classroom and Meeting Time:
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours:	NA
Code of Ethics:	Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:	Yes
Course Description:	Engineering requirements of materials; the structure of matter; atomic arrangements, structural imperfections, atom movements. Mechanical properties. Concepts of force, stress, deformation and strain; elasticity; elastic and plastic behavior; viscosity; rheological models. Creep, relax ion, brittleness, ductility, hardness, fatigue, toughness, resilience, and damping characteristics of materials
Course Objectives:	The core aim of a materials science course is to understand the fundamental relationships between the processing, structure, properties, and performance of materials. It prepares students to design, analyze, and optimize materials for advanced applications, emphasizing innovation in new materials and solving engineering problems.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	Structure: The internal arrangement of components at different length scales, from atomic bonding to microstructure and macrostructure.
2	Mechanical Properties: Strength, ductility, hardness, and toughness.
3	Electrical Properties: Conductivity, resistivity, and dielectric behavior.
4	Thermal Properties: Heat capacity and thermal expansion.
5	Magnetic, Optical, and Deteriorative Properties (e.g., corrosion resistance).
6	Performance: How the material functions in a real-world application under specific service conditions

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Atomic Structure and Interatomic Bonding - This module explores the microscopic foundations of material behavior by examining the relationship between atomic structure and the forces that bind matter together. Students will begin by reviewing fundamental concepts, including atomic models, quantum numbers, and the arrangement of valence electrons within the periodic table. The course then shifts to the mechanics of interatomic bonding, covering the nature of primary bonds—ionic, covalent, and metallic—as well as secondary van der Waals and hydrogen bonding.
2	The Structure of Crystalline Solids - This module transitions from atomic-level interactions to the higher-order geometric arrangements that define solid matter, specifically focusing on the long-range periodic order of crystalline solids. Students will investigate the concept of the unit cell as the fundamental building block and explore the seven primary crystal systems, including cubic, hexagonal, and tetragonal structures.
3	Imperfections in Solids - This module investigates the reality of material construction by analyzing how deviations from a perfect crystalline lattice—known as imperfections—fundamentally dictate the mechanical, electrical, and optical properties of solids. Students will categorize defects by dimensionality, starting with point defects like vacancies and interstitials, then moving to linear defects such as edge and screw dislocations, which are the primary drivers of plastic deformation.
4	Diffusion - This module examines the atomic and macroscopic principles of mass transport in solids, a critical process for understanding material synthesis, heat treatment, and service life. Students will first explore the atomic mechanisms of movement, specifically vacancy and interstitial diffusion, and the role of activation energy and thermal vibrations in enabling these jumps.
5	Mechanical Properties - This module investigates how materials respond to applied forces, establishing the critical link between internal structure and macroscopic mechanical behavior. Students will master the fundamental concepts of stress and strain, differentiating between reversible elastic deformation and permanent plastic deformation through the analysis of stress-strain curves. The syllabus covers key performance indicators, including yield strength, tensile strength, ductility, and toughness, while also introducing the standardized testing methods—such as tensile, hardness, and impact tests—used to quantify these attributes.
6	Dislocations and Strengthening Mechanisms - This module investigates the microscopic origins of strength and the engineering techniques used to enhance it, primarily focusing on the behavior of dislocations during plastic deformation. Students will explore the relationship between slip systems and crystal structure, analyzing how the movement of edge and screw dislocations along specific crystallographic planes dictates a metal's ability to deform.
7	Failure - This module investigates why materials fail and how to prevent catastrophic structural collapse by studying the fundamental modes of fracture, fatigue, and creep. Students will analyze the mechanics of ductile vs. brittle fracture, utilizing fracture mechanics principles to understand how stress concentrations at cracks and flaws lead to sudden breakage.
8	Midterm
9	Composites - This module explores the design and analysis of composite materials, which are engineered by combining two or more chemically distinct phases to achieve synergistic properties unattainable by a single component. Students will examine the roles of the matrix (polymer, metal, or ceramic) and the reinforcement (fibers, whiskers, or particulates), focusing on how the interface between them dictates overall performance. The syllabus covers the classification of composites—including particle-reinforced, fiber-reinforced, and structural laminates—and introduces the rule of mixtures for predicting elastic modulus and density.
10	Corrosion and Degradation of Materials - This module examines the electrochemical and environmental processes that lead to the deterioration of engineering materials, focusing on the fundamental mechanisms of corrosion in metals and degradation in ceramics and polymers.
11	Electrical Properties and Thermal Properties - This module investigates the physical principles governing how materials conduct, store, and transport energy in the form of electrons and heat. Students will explore electrical properties by analyzing energy band structures, differentiating between conductors, semiconductors, and insulators while examining the effects of temperature and impurities on conductivity.
12	Magnetic Properties and Optical Properties - This module investigates the fundamental physics and engineering applications of how materials interact with magnetic fields and electromagnetic radiation. Students will explore magnetic properties by examining the origins of magnetic moments and the classification of materials into diamagnetic, paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, and ferrimagnetic categories, alongside the study of magnetic hysteresis and domain movement.
13	Environmental, and Societal Issues in Materials Science - This module examines the global footprint of materials engineering, focusing on the environmental impact and societal responsibilities associated with the material life cycle. Students will explore the principles of sustainable development.
14	Final Exam

Prerequisite(s):	No
Textbook(s):	Materials Science and Engineering, AN INTRODUCTION, WILLIAM D. CALLISTER, JR., DAVID G. RETHWISCH
Additional Literature:	Power Point
Laboratory Work:	Yes
Computer Usage:	Microsoft Word, Excel
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	Structure-Property Relationships: Explain how atomic structure, crystal defects, and bonding dictate the mechanical, electrical, thermal, and magnetic properties of materials.
2	Material Characterization: Interpret microstructures and analyze phase diagrams to understand solidification and phase transformations.
3	Mechanical Behavior: Generate and interpret stress-strain curves to calculate stiffness, strength, and toughness, while assessing failure mechanisms like fatigue and creep.
4	Processing & Performance: Analyze how manufacturing processes (e.g., heat treatment, cold working) alter microstructure to influence material performance.
5	Material Selection: Select appropriate materials for specific engineering applications based on design requirements, cost, and environmental factors.
6	Analytical Skills: Calculate volumetric, planar, and linear densities within unit cells, and analyze diffusion in solids.

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES (Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)

No	Program Competencies	Cont.
Bachelor in Civil Engineering (3 years) Program

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)	1	30
Presentation	1	10
Quiz	4	5
Final Exam	1	40
	Total Percent:	100%

ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)

Activities	Quantity	Duration(Hours)	Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours)	16	4	64
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	14	1	14
Mid-terms	1	10	10
Assignments			0
Final examination	1	12	12
Other			0
Total Work Load:			100
Total Work Load/25(h):			4
ECTS Credit of the Course:			4

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

The engineer’s ability to control a material’s macroscopic performance is entirely dependent on their understanding of its microscopic structure and defects!