Mechanics of Materials PhD Curriculum

Mechanics of Materials is an area focusing on quantitative description of the motion and deformation of solid materials subjected to forces, temperature changes, electrical voltage or other external stimuli. At CU Boulder, we apply theoretical modeling, computational simulation and experimental characterization to study a wide range of soft materials, from biological tissues and gels to smart polymers. Our applications cover a long list of current and emerging technologies including tissue engineering, membrane filtration, stretchable electronics, smart materials, medical robots and innovative surgical devices.

Course Guidance

In addition to PhD requirements, no specific course is required for this research area. The courses below are intended to provide guidance on typical course options for students interested in Mechanics of Materials.

Strongly Recommended

  • MCEN 5023 Solid Mechanics or CVEN 5131 Continuum Mechanics & Elasticity
  • MCEN 5173, ASEN 5007 or CVEN 5511 Finite Element Analysis

Recommended

  • MCEN 5021 Fluid Dynamics
  • MCEN 5024 Materials Chemistry & Structure
  • MCEN 5044 Mechanical Behavior of Materials
  • MCEN 5034 Thermodynamics & Kinetics of Materials

Specialized Courses/Electives: Mechanics Interest

  • MCEN 5064 Soft Machines
  • MCEN 5228 Mechanics of Composite Materials
  • MCEN 5228 Mechanics of Soft Materials
  • MCEN 5228 Thin Film Materials
  • CVEN 5161 Advanced Mechanics of Materials I
  • CVEN 6161 Advanced Mechanics of Materials 2
  • CVEN 7161 Fracture Mechanics
  • PHYS 5210 Theoretical Mechanics

Specialized Courses/Electives: Computational Mechanics Interest

  • MCEN 6228 Numerical Methods
  • CVEN 7511 Comp Mech of Solids & Structures
  • ASEN 6367 Advanced Finite Element Meth.
  • ASEN 5417 Num Methods for Differential Equations
  • ASEN 6107 Nonlinear Finite Element Methods

Specialized Courses/Electives: Design Mechanics Interest

  • MCEN 5248 Microsystems Design
  • MCEN 5125 Optimal Design
  • ASEN 5519 Design Optimization
  • ASEN 5218 Large Space Structure Design
  • ASEN 5148 Spacecraft Design

Specialized Courses/Electives: Materials Interest

  • MCEN 5044 Mechanical Behavior of Materials
  • MCEN 5034 Thermodyn & Kinetics of Materials
  • MCEN 5228 Biomimetic Materials
  • MCEN 5228 Ceramics
  • MCEN 5228 Introduction to Polymers
  • MCEN 5228 Materials Chemistry & Structure
  • MCEN 5228 Mechanics of Soft Materials
  • MCEN 5228 Thin Film Materials
  • MCEN 6184 Structure & Properties of Polymers
  • ASEN 5519 Advances in Materials Processing

Specialized Courses/Electives: Micro/Nanomechanics Interest

  • MCEN 5228 Materials Chemistry & Structure
  • MCEN 5636 MEMS 1
  • MCEN 5248 MEMS 2
  • PHYS 3220 Quantum Mech & Atomic Physics 1
  • PHYS 4410 Quantum Mech & Atomic Physics 2
  • PHYS 4230 Thermodynamics & Statistical Dynamics
  • PHYS 4340 Solid-State Physics
  • PHYS 5250 Intro Quantum Mechanics 1
  • CHEM 557 Surface Science