Teaching and Outreach

Classes Offered:

• MSE 608 Solid State Thermodynamics (4 Credits, Graduate)
• MSE 602 Survey of Materials Science (3 Credits, Graduate)
• MSE 464/564 Computational Materials Science (3 Credits, UG / Graduate)
• MSE 318 Phase Transformations and Kinetics (3 Credits, UG)

Co-Teaching Computational Modeling Modules in the Following Courses:

• Online Computational Modeling Modules
• MSE 305 Structure of Materials
• MSE 308 Thermodynamics of Materials
• MSE 312 Mechanical Behavior of Materials
• MSE 410 Electrical Properties of Materials
• MSE 488/588 Environmental Degradation of Materials
• MSE 497/587 Nuclear Materials
• MSE 618 – Phase Transformations and Kinetics (Graduate)

Computational Modeling Training

Since the beginning of the Materials Theory and Modeling Group, extensive work has been done to optimize training for new members and interns. The following list are resources required to complete when training a new intern or BSU employee. Along with this is some resources the team finds useful during their multi-scale modeling efforts.

• Useful DFT Review Paper
• UNIX Tutorial
• VASP Tutorial
• Boise State Computing Cluster Access

Outreach Activities

Although researching new materials is Boise State Materials Modeling Group primary role, Dr. Li is very passionate about expanding the community and getting involved in teaching about materials science and engineering. Several times a semester Dr. Li will involve herself with the youth in hopes of expanding the future of science and materials prediction for a better tomorrow. Here are a few events Dr. Li’s Materials Theory and Modeling Group have participated in recently.

A summer training camp is offered to undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in computational materials research or using computational modeling tools in some part of research (pictures, top). Dr. Li and her group members develop one-week hands-on tutorials that cover basic computational modeling theory and plenty of practice. STEM exploration is a free one-day event for all ages with a wide variety of engaging activities (pictures, middle). It attracts over 5000 K–12 students and their parents annually. E-girls event offers an outreach opportunity for high-school girls in grades 9–11 (pictures, bottom). The event hosts ~ 60 girls annually.