2014-2015 Catalog

MENG 20000. Introduction to Emerging Technologies. 100 Units.

This course will examine five emerging technologies (stem cells in regenerative medicine, quantum computing, water purification, new batteries, etc.) over two weeks each. The first of the two weeks will present the basic science underlying the emerging technology; the second of the two weeks will discuss the hurdles that must be addressed successfully to convert a good scientific concept into a commercial product that addresses needs in the market place.

Instructor(s): Matthew Tirrell     Terms Offered: Autumn
Prerequisite(s): Completion of the general education requirements in mathematics and physical or biological sciences
Equivalent Course(s): MENG 30000

MENG 21000. Molecularly Engineered Materials and Material Systems. 100 Units.

Synthesis, processing and characterization of new materials are the pervasive, fundamental necessities for molecular engineering. Understanding how to design and control structure and properties of materials at the nanoscale is the essence of our research and education program. This course will provide an introduction to molecularly engineered materials and material systems. We will start with atomic-level descriptions and means of thinking about the structure of materials, and then we will build towards understanding nano- and meso-scale materials architectures and their structure-dependent thermal, electrical, mechanical, and optical properties. Strategies in materials processing (heat treatment, diffusion, self-assembly) to achieve desired structure will also be introduced. In the latter part of the course, we will study applications of major concepts of the course in quantum materials, electronic materials, energy-related materials, and biomaterials.

Instructor(s): Paul Nealey     Terms Offered: Winter
Prerequisite(s): Completion of the general education requirements in mathematics and physical or biological sciences

MENG 21900. Biological Physics. 100 Units.

This course is an introduction to the physics of living matter. Its goal is to understand the design principles from physics that characterize the condensed and organized matter of living systems. Topics include: basic structures of proteins, nucleotides, and biological membranes; application of statistical mechanics to diffusion and transport; hydrodynamics of low Reynolds number fluids; thermodynamics and chemical equilibrium; physical chemistry of binding affinity and kinetics; solution electrostatics and depletion effect; biopolymer mechanics; cellular mechanics and motions; molecular motors.

Instructor(s): Staff     Terms Offered: Winter
Prerequisite(s): PHYS 13300 or PHYS 14300
Note(s): Students majoring in Physics may use this course either as a Physics elective OR as a topics course for the general education requirement in the Biological Sciences.
Equivalent Course(s): PHYS 25500,BIOS 21506

MENG 23000. Mathematical Foundation of Molecular Engineering. 100 Units.

The predictive theoretical and modeling basis of molecular engineering rests, in one part, on the implications of a few important partial differential equations, which our students must master, fully appreciate, and be prepared to use. These include: Navier-Stokes, Schrödinger, and the Diffusion/Heat Conduction. This course will cover the physical origin and derivation of these equations in different applications, and discuss general methods of solution and approximations. Students will also be introduced to introductory computational methods for solving these equations. The emphasis will be on extracting the physical content embodied in these equations, leading to the ability to predict and engineer the properties of physical systems.

Instructor(s): Juan de Pablo, Giulia Galli     Terms Offered: Winter
Prerequisite(s): MATH 20000 and MATH 20100 or MATH 22000 or PHYS 22100

MENG 24100. Selec Tpcs Molec Engineering: Molecular/Materials Modelling I. 100 Units.

Molecular modeling seeks to develop models and computational techniques for prediction of the structure, thermodynamic properties, and non-equilibrium behaviour of gases, liquids, and solids from knowledge of intermolecular interactions. This course will introduce students to the methods of molecular modeling. The topics covered will include an introduction to the origin of molecular forces, a brief introduction to statistical mechanics and ensemble methods, and an introduction to molecular dynamics, Brownian dynamics, and Monte Carlo simulations. The course will also cover elements of advanced sampling techniques, including parallel tempering, umbrella sampling, and other common biased sampling approaches. Course work or research experience is strongly recommended in: (1) elementary programming (e.g., C or C++), and (2) physical chemistry or thermodynamics.

Instructor(s): Juan de Pablo, Giulia Galli     Terms Offered: Winter
Prerequisite(s): MATH 20000 and MATH 20100 or MATH 22000 or PHYS 22100
Equivalent Course(s): MENG 34100

MENG 24200. Selec Tpcs Molec Engineering: Molecular/Materials Modelling II. 100 Units.

This course provides a continuation of the topics covered in Molecular Modeling I. It seeks to introduce students to electronic structure methods for modelling molecular and condensed systems. The topics covered will include an introduction to quantum mechanical descriptions of ground and excited state properties of molecules and solids. The course will focus on simulations based on the numerical solution of the Schroedinger equation using different approximations, including wavefunctions methods (e.g., Hartree Fock), and density functional theory, and various integration techniques and basis sets.

Instructor(s): Giulia Galli, Juan de Pablo     Terms Offered: Spring
Prerequisite(s): MENG 24100
Equivalent Course(s): MENG 34200

MENG 24300. Selected Topics in Molecular Engineering: Tissue Engineering. 100 Units.

This course will examine the biomolecular and cellular bases for tissue engineering, including biological processes and biomolecular actors underlying morphogenesis and tissue repair in a number of tissue systems. Biomaterials and drug release principles being developed for tissue engineering will be examined, and the means by which molecular engineering is interfaced with the biomolecules and cells involved in tissue morphogenesis for tissue engineering will be elaborated. Selected case studies in different tissue engineering applications will be considered both through didactic presentations and projects undertaken by the students. Course work or research experience in cell biology and biochemistry strongly recommended.

Instructor(s): Joel Collier     Terms Offered: Spring
Prerequisite(s): Completion of the general education requirements in mathematics and physical or biological sciences

MENG 25000. Introduction to the Design Process. 100 Units.

Design is as much a way of thinking as it is a process for creating anything new. This course introduces design methods for the early-stage of an innovation process. It will cover problem framing, contextual and user research, mining qualitative information for insights and unmet needs, concept generation, prototyping, and communications for innovation. Classes will be a combination of lectures, hands-on learning, and a quarter-long design project focused on a real-world challenge related to an IME theme.

Instructor(s): IIT Institute of Design/IME Faculty     Terms Offered: Spring
Prerequisite(s): Completion of the general education requirements in mathematics and physical or biological sciences

MENG 29600. Practice of Research. 100 Units.

Through lectures and discussions, this course provides experience in pursuing academic and industrial careers within science and engineering. Course components include proposal development, funding opportunities, publication and peer review, effective presentations, intellectual property, ethics, evolution of ideas to products, venture funding and partnership. Recommended to be taken concurrently with MENG 29700 Undergraduate Research in Molecular Engineering.

Instructor(s): David Awschalom     Terms Offered: Spring
Prerequisite(s): MENG 29700 or Concurrent

MENG 29700. Undergraduate Research for Molecular Engineering. 100 Units.

IME faculty will offer one-quarter research experiences for all students enrolled in the minor. A quality grade will be given based on performance in this course. In order to assign a quality grade, an agreement between the sponsoring IME faculty member and each student will be made that includes: (1) the content and scope of the project, (2) expectations for time commitment, (3) a well-defined work plan with timelines for particular experiments or calculations to be accomplished (in a true research experience of the sort we intend to offer, of course, timelines for results can’t be constructed in advance), and (4) a summary of academic goals—such as demonstrating knowledge of the literature and developing communication skills (e.g., though presentations at group meetings).Â

Instructor(s): IME Faculty     Terms Offered: Autumn, Winter, Spring
Prerequisite(s): Faculty Consent
Note(s): If a student cannot engage an IME faculty research sponsor on their own, the student should consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Institute for Molecular Engineering, Professor Paul Nealey.