The ability to communicate one’s ideas effectively is an essential ingredient in any successful career. For this reason, the program places a particular emphasis on the development of communication skills, both oral and written. In addition to the Graduate Seminar courses (MTSC 6000H and 6100H), students will have other opportunities to gain experience in oral communication such as being teaching assistants for undergraduate courses and presenting their work at conferences. Furthermore, for the thesis students, the quality of the oral presentation at the thesis defence will be assessed. The quality and clarity of writing will be assessed in the evaluation of the thesis and the research report.
MTSC 6000H Graduate Seminar in Science Communication I
This course will assist students in developing essential communication skills. A series of oral and written exercises will each be followed by constructive review by both peers and faculty. Evaluation will focus on clarity, precision and the care with which the audience is guided to the presenter’s objective. Non-credit.
MTSC 6100H Graduate Seminar in Science Communication II
This course will further the students’ communication skills. Students will present a 30 minute research talk on their research to all participants in the program. Speakers will receive peer and faculty reviews of their
presentations. Non-credit.
MTSC 6010H Physics and Chemistry of Materials
This course examines the fundamental principles and concepts used by physicists and chemists to describe materials. It covers scientific and practical interrelations between traditional disciplines emphasizing the
structure, and physical and chemical properties of all classes of materials. Prerequisite: Students should have completed at least one full-year of study in each of undergraduate physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
MTSC 6020H Advanced Topics in Materials Science
This course will present a range of current topics based on research from the primary literature. There is extensive student participation including topic proposals, presentations, literature reports and in-class discussion. Prerequisite: MTSC 6010H or permission of the instructor.
or
MTSC 6140H Experimental Techniques in Materials Characterization
A techniques oriented course covering high resolution experimental solid-state characterization including both theory and operational aspects of bulk, surface and molecular characterization.