Materials 4R03

Ceramic Science

2015-2016, Term 1

Instructor:
Room/Ext:
 Email:
Dr. Adrian Kitai ABB 140 / 27862 kitaia@mcmaster.ca
TA
Room / Ext.
 Email
Siwei Ma ABB 139 mas8@mcmaster.ca

 

LECTURES:
Tuesday 2:30pm
Thursday 2:30pm
Friday 2:30pm
T13 105

ASSIGNMENTS:  6 assignments
MIDTERM TEST: 1 test
CLASS PROJECT
FINAL EXAM
IN CLASS PARTICIPATION

 

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, a successful student will:

  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of structural and functional properties of modern ceramics.
  • Demonstrate a good understanding of key processing and synthesis methods for modern ceramics.
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the applications of ceramics to a wide variety of current industrial needs.

Required Text:
Ceramic Materials Science and Engineering, C. Barry Carter and M. Grant Norton, 2nd edition, Springer

GRADING:
This course may be taken is two modes.  In Mode A attendance at lectures is expected.  In Mode B attendance at lectures is optional.

Mode A - Final grade is evaluated as follows:
Assignments 10%, Midterm test 20%, Class Project 15% Class Participation 15%, Final Exam 40%

A class project will be assigned. Students will work in groups of one or two.  Each project will require a class presentation and a report.

Class participation will be determined as follows:

  • Two student representatives will be responsible for submitting a class participation grade to the instructor.
  • The class participation grade will include a component connected to attendance which will be taken at each lecture.  How attendance factors into the participation grade will be determined by the student representatives with feedback from all students.
  • At the beginning of each lecture a student will take up one homework problem for the first 10 minutes of each lecture.  All students in Mode A will have a chance to present at least one homework problem.  A further component of the class participation grade will be determined by student performance as judged by the other students during homework problem presentations. 
  • The TA will be available to help students who are presenting homework solutions. The TA will be responsible for preparing complete homework solutions that will be made available to all students after questions are taken up in class.
  • Mode A is the default mode for all students and is recommended.  Students who wish to leave Mode A must act before the third week of classes begins.

Mode B -Final grade is evaluated as follows:
Assignments 10% Midterm test 25%, Final exam 65%

  • Classroom attendance is optional however attendance at as many lectures as possible is highly recommended.
  • Students who elect Mode B must see instructor to confirm their decision in writing before the start of week 3 of the course and may not return to Mode A at a later date.
  • Mode B is made available because the instructor does not wish to “force” students to attend class. The success rate in Mode B for other courses taught by the instructor has been lower than the success rate for his Mode A students.

 

Measurement of attributes:
In addition to grades, a set of learning attributes for this course will be measured using a set of rubrics and a series of indicators.  These measurements will not determine or influence grades in any way.
The following attributes will be measured for this course:
Materials 4R03 grad attributes:

  • Knowledge Base for Engineering 

I will take a few suitable questions on final, ones that test the learning outcomes identified for the course, and as I’m grading keep track of how the students are doing in a rubric.

Below Expectations
(0-4 Points)

Marginal
(5-6 Points)

Meets Expectations          
(7-8 Points)

Exceeds Expectations
(8-10 Points)

 

 

 

Accreditation Learning Outcomes

Our detailed learning outcomes are defined below. Their associations with various graduate attribute indicators are shown in this section. These indicators are being measured for engineering accreditation purposes.

Students will learn to:

  • Solve problems of modest scope in ceramic materials using an analytical approach.  [indicators 1.1, 1.3]
  • Demonstrate a good understanding of the science underlying ceramic materials as well as the applications of ceramic materials.  [indicators 1.1, 1.3, 4.1]

Academic Integrity

You are expected to exhibit honesty and use ethical behaviour in all aspects of the learning process.  Academic credentials you earn are rooted in principles of honesty and academic integrity.

Academic dishonesty is to knowingly act or fail to act in a way that results or could result in unearned academic credit or advantage.  This behaviour can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: “Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty”), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university.

It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty.  For information on the various types of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy, located at http://www.mcmaster.ca/academicintegrity

The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:

  • Plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not one’s own or for which other credit has been obtained.
  • Improper collaboration in group work.
  • Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.

Academic Accommodations

Students who require academic accommodation must contact Student accessibility Services (SAS) to make arrangements with a Program Coordinator.  Academic accommodations must be arranged for each term of study.  Student Accessibility Services can be contact by phone at 905.525.9140 ext. 28652 or e-mail at sas@mcmaster.ca.  For further information, consult McMaster University’s Policy for Academic Accommodation of Students with Disabilities. 

Notification of Student Absence and Submission of Request for Relief for Missed Academic Work

  • If you are seeking relief for missed academic work because of an absence lasting less than five days in duration, you must use the McMaster Student Absence Form.
  • Absences lasting more than five days must be reported to the Associate Dean’s Office (JHE-A214) and appropriate documentation must be provided. For medical absences, the University reserves the right to require students to obtain medical documentation from the Student Wellness Centre.
  • You should expect to have academic commitments Monday through Saturday but not on Sunday or statutory holidays. If you require an accommodation to meet a religious obligation or to celebrate an important religious holiday, you may use the McMaster Student Absence Form or contact the Associate Dean’s Office.
  • At the third request for relief of academic missed work, you will be asked to meet with the Assistant or Associate Dean (or delegate). Relief for missed academic work is not guaranteed.
  • You are responsible to contact your instructor(s) promptly to discuss the appropriate relief.
  • It is the prerogative of the instructor of the course to determine the appropriate relief for missed term work in his/her course.

Notice Regarding Possible Course Modification

The instructor and university reserve the right to modify elements of the course during the term.  The university may change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in extreme circumstances.  If either type of modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the students will be given with explanation and the opportunity to comment on changes.  It is the responsibility of the student to check their McMaster email and course websites weekly during the term and to note any changes.