During the past few years, a new core undergraduate materials educations program has been introduced at Purdue. This core program is based upon an integration of structure, properties, processing, and performance across the classes of materials. A major need in the full curriculum is to emphasize the development of microstructure through synthesis and processing. To meet this need, Purdue will develop six new senior level courses. Four courses in the inorganic materials area will involve deposition processing, solidification processing, powder processing, and deformation processing. Two courses on organic materials will include synthesis and manufacturing and physical chemistry and microstructures, together with a new comprehensive polymer engineering laboratory. An Advisory Committee involving representatives from industries with processing operations will assist in all stages of the proposed program. Evaluations by this Committee and input from students at all phases will be utilized to maintain a focus and provide direction for the development of instructional materials. Dissemination of information will be made by presentations at various professional society symposia and by monographs. Culmination of this effort will be a special symposium on Materials Synthesis and Processing Education at Purdue.
