MSE/ME -463-nandita-2026-06-02-04-26-15
Below is a syllabus template that includes WSU's required syllabus elements. Please complete all items highlighted in yellow.
Title of Course: Fission and Fusion Materials
Prefix and Number: MSE/ME 463
Semester and Year: Fall 2026
Number of Credit Hours : 3
Prerequisites : MSE 201 or instructor’s permission
Course Details
Day and Time: [tbd]
Meeting Location: [tbd]
Instructor Contact Information
Instructor Name: [tbd]
Instructor Contact Information: [office location, phone, email] [tbd]
Instructor Office Hours: [click here for best practices] [tbd]
TA Name: [tbd]
TA Contact Information: [office location, phone, email]: [tbd]
TA Office Hours: [click here for best practices] [tbd]
Course Description
Understanding key mechanisms affecting material behavior in fission and fusion reactors, material degradation mechanisms, development of irradiation-tolerant materials, nuclear fuel cycle and waste management strategies.
Course Materials
Text Books:
- Murty, K. Linga, and Indrajit Charit. An introduction to nuclear materials: fundamentals and applications. John Wiley & Sons, 2013
- Was, Gary S. Fundamentals of radiation materials science: Metals and alloys. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2007
- Odette, G. Robert, and Steven J. Zinkle. Structural Alloys for Nuclear Energy Applications. Newnes, 2019.
- S. Fusion Materials: Community Roadmap (RD2), U.S. Fusion Materials Coordinating Committee (FMCC)
- 2023 Fusion Blankets Research Objectives, EPRI, 2003
Key course materials will be distributed either through canvas or in class. You are encouraged to take notes during class.
Other Materials: N/A
Fees: N/A
|
Course Learning Outcomes (students will be able to:) |
Activities Supporting the Learning Outcomes | Assessment of the Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
|
Identify and explain the extreme environments that materials must withstand in fission and fusion reactors. |
Class Activity 1, Mid-term Exam 1 |
Class Activity 1, Mid-term Exam 1 |
| Analyze structure–property–performance relationships in metals, ceramics, and polymers | Class Activity 2, Mid-term Exam 1 | Class Activity 2, Mid-term Exam 1 |
|
Describe and interpret the microstructural evolution of materials in fission and fusion environments. |
Class Activity 3, Mid-term Exam 2 |
Class Activity 3, Mid-term Exam 2 |
|
Evaluate the effects of microstructural changes on the physical and mechanical properties of materials. |
Class Activity 4, Mid-term Exam 2 |
Class Activity 4, Mid-term Exam 2 |
|
Compare and assess the major classes of materials used for structural components, plasma-facing applications, and diagnostics in nuclear reactors, including their advantages and limitations. |
Class Activity 5, Final Report |
Class Activity 5, Final Report |
|
Describe and evaluate the nuclear fuel cycle and waste management strategies for fission reactors. |
Class Activity 6, Final Report |
Class Activity 6, Final Report |
|
Develop and justify strategies for designing radiation-tolerant materials based on fundamental materials science principles. |
Class Activity 7, Final Report |
Class Activity 7, Final Report |
| Dates | Lesson Topic | Assignment | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Week 1 |
Topic 1: Introduction to nuclear energy and reactor systems Guest Lecture: Prof. Chris Keane, Fusion Reactors Overview |
Class Activity 1 |
Survey |
| Week 2 [dates] |
Topic 2: Fundamentals of materials science
|
Class Activity 2; Homework 1 |
Collaborative quiz; Homework problems |
| Week 3 [dates] |
Topic 3: Radiation damage
|
Class Activity 3 |
Survey |
| Week 4 [dates] |
Topic 3: Radiation damage
|
Class Activity 4; Homework 2 |
Short reflection; Homework problems |
| Week 5 [dates] |
Topic 4: Radiation effects on physical properties
|
Activity 5 |
Research paper |
| Week 6 [dates] |
Topic 4: Radiation effects on physical properties
|
Activity 6; Homework 3 |
Short reflection: Homework problems |
| Week 7 [dates] |
Topic 5: Radiation effects on mechanical properties · Hardening and deformation · Creep and growth · Fracture and embrittlement · Corrosion and stress corrosion cracking · Liquid metal embrittlement · Metals, ceramics, and composites |
Activity 7 |
Research paper |
| Week 8 [dates] |
Topic 5: Radiation effects on mechanical properties · Hardening and deformation · Creep and growth · Fracture and embrittlement · Corrosion and stress corrosion cracking · Liquid metal embrittlement Metals, ceramics, and composites |
Activity 8; Homework 4 |
Short reflection: Homework problems |
| Week 9 [dates] |
Topic 6: Reactor structural materials |
Activity 9 |
Research paper |
| Week 10 [dates] |
Topic 7: Plasma facing components |
Activity 10 |
Research paper |
| Week 11 [dates] |
Topic 8: Optics and electronics |
Activity 11 |
Group presentation |
| Week 12 [dates] |
Topic 9: Radiation-tolerant materials |
Activity 12 |
Peer review |
| Week 13 [dates] |
Topic 10: Nuclear fuel and waste management Guest Lecture: Prof. John McCloy, Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Handling |
Activity 13 |
Literature review |
| Week 14 [dates] |
Topic 11 : Characterization of nuclear materials |
Final project |
Reflection and presentation |
| Week 15 [dates] |
Advanced topics: Modeling and digital twins |
Final project |
Reflection and presentation |
Expectations for Student Effort
Students are expected to stay up to date on all submission deadlines to avoid late or missed assignments as all submission deadlines are firm. They are also expected to read assigned materials, including textbook chapters, research papers, and review articles, and to actively engage in discussions with their classmates. Through these activities, students should contribute meaningfully to the progression of course topics while developing their analytical thinking, discussion, and presentation skills. Students are also expected to communicate technical concepts clearly and coherently to their peers.
Grading [add more lines if necessary]
| Type of Assignment (tests, papers, etc) | Points | Percent of Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Midterms |
200 |
40 |
| Final report |
100 |
40 |
| Class activities |
130 |
20 |
| Grade | Percent | Grade | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| A |
93-100 |
C |
73-76 |
| A- |
90-92 |
C- |
70-72 |
| B+ |
87-89 |
D+ |
65-69 |
| B |
83-86 |
D |
60-64 |
| B- |
80-82 |
F |
0-59 |
| C+ |
77-79 |
[Provide information about how grades will be rounded (eg, if 89% earns a B+ and 90% earns an A-, what grade is given to a student with an 89.5?]
Attendance and Make-Up Policy
Students are expected to make all reasonable efforts to attend all class meetings. If a student is unable to attend class, it is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor as soon as possible, explain the reason for the absence, and provide documentation when appropriate. Students are also responsible for making up missed coursework within a reasonable amount of time, when make-up work is permitted. Class activities missed due to an unexcused absence will automatically receive a grade of zero.
Academic Integrity Statement
Academic integrity is the cornerstone of the university. Any student who attempts to gain an unfair advantage over other students by cheating, will fail the assignment (zero grade) and be reported to the Office Student Standards and Accountability. Cheating is defined in the Standards for Student Conduct WAC 504-26-010.
Use of AI policies:
Students may use AI tools to support their work, however, they are responsible for verifying the accuracy and reliability of any AI-generated information. All original references must be properly cited in Chicago style, and a PDF copy of each source must be uploaded along with the submission.
Slides must be prepared using the course template provided by the instructor. The template may not be uploaded to any AI tools, and students are required to create their PowerPoint presentations independently.
Submissions that violate AI policies will automatically receive zero grade.