Materials Laboratory
This MIT OpenCourseWare lab course pairs with the core sophomore subject Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering, giving hands-on experience with the instruments used to characterize condensed matter. Students run differential scanning calorimetry to quantify energy, and use XPS, AES, FTIR, UV/Vis, and force spectroscopy to probe bonding, alongside x-ray scattering to measure structural order. Experiments demonstrate the wave-like nature of electrons and connect energetics, bonding, and structure to real materials examples, including structural transitions and structure-property relationships. The course also builds oral and written technical communication skills through lab reports and presentations. Developed with Professor Anne Mayes, the materials include full lab manuals, assignments, and course structure from MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering. No enrollment or certificate is offered; materials are free to access and use under a Creative Commons license.