Existing curricula in materials processing are generally outdated, lack an interdisciplinary approach, and are limited in their scope and availability to undergraduate students. Iowa State University will address these shortcomings by developing eleven flexible course modules, each of 4 to 6 weeks duration, which emphasize ceramic powder processing, metal powder processing, and the processing of glass and of electronic materials. Industrial practice will be introduced prior to designing model experiments and discussing fundamental concepts. Each module will also be linked to appropriate structural and mechanical characterization activities. The modules can be used either to update existing courses by inserting them in place of outdated materials or to form an entire new course. Each module will be in the form of a booklet, video tape, and computer disk. Modules will be made available for use and evaluation by other institutions as they are developed and tested at Iowa State. Evaluation will be carried out on the basis of the effectiveness of the modules in addressing the key weaknesses in current undergraduate materials curricula and in terms of their effectiveness in attracting more students, particularly minorities and women, into the materials field.
