Curriculum in Applied Sciences and Engineering
LAURIE MCNEIL, Interim
Chair
Lu Chang Qin, Associate
Chair for Graduate Studies
Richard L. Goldberg, Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies
Professors
Al Banes, Maurice Brookhart, Joseph M. DeSimone, Gregory Forest, Jianping Lu, Laurie E. McNeil, Royce W. Murray, Michael Rubinstein, Edward T. Samulski, Richard Superfine, Sean Washburn, Yue Wu, Otto Zhou.
Associate Professors
Robert G. Dennis, Dorothy Erie, Stephen Knisley, Nalin Parikh, Lu-Chang Qin, Stephen Quint, Russell Taylor, Alex Trophsha, Frank Tsui, Gregory Welch.
Assistant Professors
Michael Falvo, Richard Goldberg, Wenbin Lin, Paul Weinhold.
Introduction
One certainty about modern technology is change, continual change that occurs with increasing rapidity. People working in technological fields, those who develop new materials and devices and apply them to both old and new purposes, find themselves constantly challenged to create new developments and to keep pace with new concepts and the developments of others. Another characteristic of modern technological innovation is increasing sophistication of tools and ideas. As a result, it has become increasingly important to have a footing in both the basic sciences and engineering. Indeed, these two areas have moved toward each other, deriving mutual benefits from the stimulus of basic concepts and device needs.
In response to the needs of students preparing for the challenging and ever-changing world of modern technology, the University initiated the Curriculum in Applied Sciences in 1984. It is directed toward students seeking a career in the sciences but having applied interests.
By their very nature, the applied sciences are interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional boundaries. The Curriculum in Applied Sciences and Engineering at Carolina is a cooperative effort of several departments: biomedical engineering from the School of Medicine; chemistry, physics and astronomy, computer science, and mathematics from the College of Arts and Sciences. Courses are taught by faculty from these departments and also by distinguished industrial scientists and engineers from the Research Triangle area.
A degree in applied sciences prepares the student for entry-level industrial positions, for graduate study in several fields of science or engineering, or for medical school.
Programs of Study
The degree offered is bachelor of science in applied science. Three tracks of concentration are available: biomedical engineering, computer engineering, and materials science.
Majoring in Applied Science: Bachelor of Science
Options in the materials science track allow the student to emphasize interests in biomaterials, electronic and optical materials, or polymeric materials. The computer engineering track emphasizes the analysis, design, and use of digital systems, microprocessors, and computers. In the biomedical engineering track, students learn to apply engineering principles to solve medical and biological problems. This is a field of great breadth that incorporates the fields of medical imaging, informatics, prosthetics, medical devices, tissue engineering and genomics, and applications of signal processing and control. Students in the two engineering tracks are encouraged to engage in at least one summer internship (in industry, etc.) for compensation and are required to complete a senior design project.
For all tracks the first two years of study are approximately parallel to the first two years of study leading to the B.S. degree in chemistry, physics, computer science, or mathematical sciences. Interchange of those majors is common during the students time in the General College. Students in the curriculum are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research. The curriculum studies, like all sciences, are vertically structured with experience and knowledge from each course serving as a foundation for subsequent courses. Students attention to prerequisites is important. The specific requirements are listed below.
Common Requirements
Students must satisfy all Foundations, Approaches, and Connections requirements, as outlined elsewhere in this bulletin. Some General Education requirements should be met with specific courses:
Philosophical reasoning: Choose one of the following ethics courses: PHIL 160, 163, 165, or 170
CHEM 101/101L (preferably by placement through high school chemistry). The course satisfies the physical and life sciences with lab Approaches requirement.
MATH 231 and 232 (quantitative reasoning Foundations and quantitative intensive Connections requirements)
PHYS 116 (physical and life sciences Approaches requirement)
Students must also take the following courses in their first two years: MATH 233 and 383; PHYS 117
Additional requirements specific to the major tracks
Computer Engineering Track (128 hours)
Social and behavioral sciences: Choose at least one from the following list: AFRI 101, 266; ASIA 226; HIST 128, 134, 139, 140, 157, 159, 162, 178H, 179H, 276, 277, 479; POLI 131, 150, 226, 235, 236, 238, 241; SOCI 111
Major requirements: APPL 110, 410, 430, 440, 450, 480 (PHYS 351 prerequisite), 697, and 698; COMP 401, 410, 411, 431, and 541; PHYS 351 and 352. Choose one of STOR 355, 435, or BIOS 600
Other requirements: MATH 233, 381, and 383; PHYS 117; and one of the following: COMP 110 or 116
A choice of four category electives:
I. Choose one from APPL 392, 472; BIOL 101/101L, 202, 252; CHEM 102/102L; PHYS 128L, 331, 341
II. Choose one from MATH 529, 547, COMP 520, 521, 523, 530, 575
III. Choose two from list I or II above
Biomedical Engineering Track (127 hours)
Major requirements: APPL 150, 160, 210, 310, 341, 410, 450, 460, 465, 697, and 698
BIOL 202 and 252
BMME 400
MATH 528; PHYS 351 and 352; and one of the following: STOR 355, 435, or BIOS 600
Other requirements: Choose one of the following: COMP 110, 116, 401, or PHYS 331
BIOL 101/101L
CHEM 102/102L
MATH 233 and 383
PHYS 116 and 117
A choice of four biomedical specialty electives: Any BMME above 400; or PHYS 301; or PHYS 660/MASC 560
Materials Science Track (125 hours)
Major requirements: BIOL 101/101L, CHEM 261, and APPL 150
APPL 420, 470, 472, 473, and 491L; APPL 492L or 520L; and APPL 341 or CHEM 481
APPL 395 or 396 or take both 697 and 698
BMME 400 and 460
CHEM 101/101L and 102/102L, CHEM 262/262L or PHYS 352, and CHEM 482 or PHYS 321
MATH 528 and one of the following: COMP 110, 116, or PHYS 331
PHYS 116, 117, and 351
Other requirements: MATH 231, 232, 233, and 383
Select four materials specialty electives (12 hours) from the following list: APPL 392, 410, 421, 422, 423, 450, 465, 510; PHYS 352 (if CHEM 262/262L was taken to fulfill a requirement above), 415, 471; MATH 529; MTSC 573, 615, 715, 720, 730
One free elective (3 hours)
Honors in Applied Sciences
Students who successfully complete a research project and have a sufficiently outstanding academic record are eligible for graduation with honors or highest honors. The requirements of the curriculum for graduation with honors or highest honors are 1) overall GPA of 3.2 or higher; 2) GPA of 3.5 or higher in all science and mathematics courses specifically required in the curriculum; and 3) completion of a research project judged to be of honors or highest honors quality by a faculty committee. In addition, to be considered for highest honors, the research project must be judged to be of publishable quality. Students wishing to be considered for graduation with honors should apply in the curriculum office no later than the first week of classes of their final year (late August for those who are graduating in May).
Special Opportunities in Applied Sciences and Engineering
Departmental Involvement
Student organizations include IEEE and Engineering World Health.
Experiential Education
All students in the Biomedical Engineering and Computer Engineering tracks participate in a capstone design experience in which they spend an entire year developing a device or system that has biomedical applications.
Undergraduate Awards
Two cash awards are given annually for excellent scholarship and research. The Crawford Award is given in memory of the founding chair of applied sciences, and the Flexcell Award is given through a corporate donation from Flexcell International Corporation.
Undergraduate Research
Students are strongly encouraged to undertake a research project during their junior and/or senior years. The applied sciences are heavily research-based. Through the challenge of a research project, students come face to face with the leading edge of an area, gain expertise with state-of-the-art techniques and instrumentation, and experience a professional scientific career firsthand. A number of faculty members on campus (particularly those in the Departments of Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, Computer Science, and Biomedical Engineering and in the Dental Research Center) conduct research projects related to the applied sciences. A list of faculty members interested in working with undergraduates is available from the curriculum office and should be secured by students prior to interviewing with faculty about research projects.
Facilities
Students use laboratory facilities housed in the five departments that participate in this program.
Graduate School and Career Opportunities
Each line of study leads to the degree of bachelor of science in applied sciences. Recipients of this degree have gone into entry-level positions in a wide range of technological industries, wafer fabrication, computer hardware and software, pharmaceutical concerns, business fields and the polymer industry. Students also have continued their studies at the graduate level. Graduate programs leading to the M.S., Ph.D., and M.D. degrees have been obtained by many of our graduates. Students who go on to the doctoral level pursue either an industrial or academic career. Through 1999 approximately three-quarters of the graduates from the UNCChapel Hill Curriculum in Applied Sciences and Engineering entered graduate and professional programs, for example, in chemistry, physics, biochemistry, materials science, medical school, electrical engineering, computer science, and biomedical engineering.
Contact Information
Carolyn Newman, Curriculum Coordinator, CB #3287, Chapman Hall 141, (919) 962-6293. Web site: www.unc.edu/depts/appl_sci.
150 [050] Introduction to Materials Science (3). Prerequisite, CHEM 102; pre- or corequisites, MATH 383 and PHYS 117. The materials science of electronic, metallic, polymeric, ceramic, and composite materials and their processing are introduced. The electronic, optical, magnetic and structural properties of materials are related to their uses.
160 Statics (3). Prerequisites, MATH 232 and PHYS 116. The resolution, distribution, and transfer of forces in rigid structural bodies.
170 [070] Exploring Biomedical Engineering (1). Provides an initial framework for intended biomedical engineering education. Course is repeatable for credit. This course is to be a required first- or second-year course for students enrolled in the biomedical engineering track of the Curriculum in Applied Sciences and Engineering and it is open to all students in the College of Arts and Sciences.
210 [110] BME Design and Manufacturing I (1). Students will learn to use design software: SolidWorks and Express PCB, plus support/analysis programs such as COSMOS. Specific topics covered: generation of designed solid model, three-view drawings, dimensions, tolerances, etc.
310 BME Design and Manufacturing II (2). Prerequisite, APPL 210. Learn basic tools of design utilizing Web-based tutorials and a series of small CAD project assignments. This course includes lectures and Web-based instructional content.
341 [130] Thermodynamics and Kinetics Applied to Solids (3). Prerequisites, APPL 150, MATH 383, and PHYS 117. The elements of thermodynamics and phenomenological kinetics of diffusion appropriate to solids are examined. Topics include equations of state, heat capacity, polyphase equilibria, phase transitions, diffusion, and interfaces.
392 [132] Special Topics in Materials Science (.521). Permission of the instructor. Advanced specialty topics in material science for undergraduates.
395 Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering for Undergraduates (14). Permission of the instructor and the chair of the curriculum. At least nine hours of independent work a week. May be taken repeatedly for elective credit. Work done in APPL 395 may be counted towards graduation with honors or highest honors by petition to the chair of the curriculum. Further details on APPL 395 and the Honors Program are available from the curriculum office.
396 [097] Independent Study in Applied Sciences (112). Permission of the instructor and the chair of the curriculum. Independent study under a member of the applied sciences faculty.
410 [101] Systems and Signals (3). Prerequisites, PHYS 351 and permission of the instructor. Analysis of linear systems by transform methods to networks, including stability analysis. Survey of numerical methods for network solutions.
420 [120] Introduction to Polymer Chemistry (CHEM 420) (3). Prerequisite, CHEM 261 or 261H; pre- or corequisites, CHEM 262 or 262H, and 262L or 263L. Chemical structure and nomenclature of macromolecules, synthesis of polymers, characteristic polymer properties.
421 [121] Synthesis of Polymers (CHEM 421, MTSC 421) (3). Prerequisites, CHEM 251 and 262 or 262H. Synthesis and reactions of polymers; various polymerization techniques.
422 [122] Physical Chemistry of Polymers (CHEM 422, MTSC 422) (3). Prerequisites, CHEM 420 and 481. Polymerization and characterization of macromolecules in solution.
423 [123] Intermediate Polymer Chemistry (CHEM 423, MTSC 423) (3). Prerequisite, APPL 422. Polymer dynamics, networks and gels.
430 [103] Digital Signal Processing I (BMME 430) (3). Prerequisite, COMP 101 or 116 or equivalent. This is an introduction to methods of automatic computation of specific relevance to biomedical problems. Sampling theory, analog-to-digital conversion, and digital filtering will be explored in depth.
450 [105] Linear Control Theory (BMME 450) (4). Prerequisite, MATH 528 or equivalent. Linear control system analysis and design are presented. Frequency and time domain characteristics and stability are studied. These techniques are applied in an included laboratory.
460 [110] Survey of Engineering Math Applications (BMME 460) (1). Computational laboratory that surveys engineering math with emphasis on differential equations, and Laplace and Fourier analysis. Applications in biomedical engineering emphasized through problem set computation using Matlab. This course should be taken concurrently with MATH 528.
465 [111] Biomedical Instrumentation (BMME 465) (4). Prerequisite, PHYS 351. Topics include basic electronic circuit design, analysis of medical instrumentation circuits, physiologic transducers (pressure, flow, bioelectric, temperate, and displacement). This course includes a laboratory where the student builds biomedical devices.
470 [141] Fundamentals of Materials Science (CHEM 470) (3). Prerequisites, APPL 341 and PHYS 321 or CHEM 482. Crystal geometry, diffusion in solids, mechanical properties of solids, electrical conduction in solids, thermal properties of materials, phase equilibria.
472 [142] Chemistry and Physics of Electronic Materials Processing (CHEM 472, MTSC 472, PHYS 472) (3). Prerequisites, CHEM 482 or PHYS 117 and permission of the instructor. A survey of materials processing and characterization used in fabricating microelectronics devices. Crystal growth, thin film deposition and etching and microlithography.
473 [143] Chemistry and Physics of Surfaces (CHEM 473, MTSC 473) (3). Prerequisite, APPL 470. The structural and energetic nature of surface states and sites, experimental surface measurements, reactions on surfaces including bonding to surfaces and adsorption, interfaces.
480 [119] Microcontroller Applications I (3). Prerequisites, COMP 110 and PHYS 351. Introduction to digital computers for online, real-time processing and control of signals and systems. Programming analog and digital input and output devices is stressed. Case studies are used for software design strategies in real-time systems.
491L [144L] Materials Laboratory I (PHYS 491) (2). See PHYS 491 for description.
492L [145L] Materials Laboratory II (PHYS 492L) (2). Prerequisite, APPL 491L. Continuation of APPL 491L with emphasis on low- and high-temperature behavior, the physical and chemical behavior of lattice imperfections and amorphous materials and the nature of radiation damage.
510 [161] Biomaterials (BMME 510) (3). Prerequisite, BMME 589 or one year of college-level biology. Chemical, physical engineering, and biocompatibility aspects of materials, devices, or systems for implantation in or interfacing with the body cells or tissues. Food and Drug Administration and legal aspects.
520L [124L] Polymer Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 520L) (2). See CHEM 520L for description.
697 Senior Design Project I (2). Conceptual prelude and preparation to APPL 698 in which the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired during the undergraduate tenure is applied to develop a solution to a real-world problem.
698 Senior Design Project II (4). Prerequisite, APPL 697. Implementation phase of the senior design experience. Students apply the theoretical and practical knowledge they have acquired in their previous seven semesters to the design and implementation of a solution to a real-world problem.
421 [121] Synthesis of Polymers (APPL 421, CHEM 421) 3). Prerequisites, CHEM 251, 262, or 262H. Synthesis and reactions of polymers, various polymerization techniques.
422 [122] Physical Chemistry of Polymers (APPL 422, CHEM 422) (3). Prerequisites, CHEM 420 and 481. Polymerization and characterization of macromolecules in solution.
423 [123] Intermediate Polymer Chemistry (APPL 423, CHEM 423) (3). Prerequisite, CHEM 422. Polymer dynamics, networks and gels.
472 [192] Chemistry and Physics of Electronic Materials Processing (APPL 472, CHEM 472, PHYS 472) (3). Prerequisites, CHEM 482 or PHYS 117 and permission of the instructor. A survey of materials processing and characterization used in fabricating microelectronics devices. Crystal growth, thin film deposition and etching, and microlithography.
473 [193] Chemistry and Physics of Surfaces (APPL 473, CHEM 473) (3). Prerequisite, CHEM 470. The structural and energetic nature of surface states and sites, experimental surface measurements, reactions on surfaces including bonding to surfaces and adsorption, interfaces.
573 [169] Introductory Solid State Physics (PHYS 573) (3). Prerequisite, PHYS 321 or equivalent. Crystal symmetry, types of crystalline solids; electron and mechanical waves in crystals, electrical and magnetic properties of solids, semiconductors; low temperature phenomena; imperfections in nearly perfect crystals.
615 Structure of Solids (3). Crystallography, reciprocal lattices, Bloch waves, band structure, electronic wave functions, phonons, thermal expansion. Superlattice structures, including liquid crystals. Overview of properties of ceramic, amorphous, polymeric, and composite materials.