Multidisciplinary Composites Certificate Program for Georgia Tech
Undergraduate Students
General Perspectives
The outstanding combination of properties that one can derive from advanced composites, viz., high stiffness and/or strength-to-weight ratios, corrosion
resistance, design flexibility, product versatility, etc., points to a burgeoning growth in the use of these materials. Steadily expanding applications in electrical and electronic, automotive, aircraft,
building construction, and process industries have produced a tremendous need for engineers with a broad-based training in materials selection, fabrication, design and testing of composites. Even the
emerging areas in Bio-Mechanics use a lot of composite technology to make technologically significant advances. Of the total number of college graduates currently working with high
performance composites, only a small fraction - less than 5 percent - have had appropriate formal training in the field. Georgia Tech has became a leader in meeting the obvious need here by
providing students from the various engineering disciplines with a broad-based knowledge of advanced composites.
Objectives
The object of the undergraduate certificate program is to provide students with a structured program for the study of composites. The program is structured to meet the special interests and
needs of individual students while simultaneously demanding comprehensive training in the fundamental aspects through a mandatory core. The required core covers composites processes,
materials, mechanics, and mechanical behavior and also offers hands-on experience through laboratories for composites manufacture and testing. Extensive opportunities are also available for
incorporating independent research projects in meeting the certificate requirements.
Course of Study
Semester Hours
A. Required Core Courses (6 hours, 4791 and 4793) with a B or better average in both courses
- 4791 Mechanical Behavior of Composites 3-0-3 (Fall)
- 4793 Composite Materials and Processing 3-0-3 (Spring)
B. Electives (6 hours) (these courses CANNOT be required for your particular degree)
- COE 3001 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies
- ME 4214 Mechanics of Materials or MSE 3003 Mechanical Behavior of Materials
- ME 4213 Materials Selection and Failure Analysis
- ME/CHE/MSE/PTFE 4775 Polymer Science and Engineering I
- ME/CHE/MSE/PTFE 4777 Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering
- TFE 2200 Fiber Science
- CEE 4520 Reinforced Concrete Design
- Relevant undergraduate or graduate courses* as approved by the CERC Director
SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN COMPOSITES: Individual investigations of problems of current interest in composites. Special topics to be arranged using appropriate course numbers from the major
school.
* Special requirements may have to be met for registering in 6000 level courses. Students are advised to check these requirements prior to registering.
Students interested in pursuing this certificate should contact Dr. Steve Johnson, Program Director steve.johnson@mse.gatech.edu 404-894-3013
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