Online Composites Courses from University of Washington
Structural polymeric composites have been used in military aircraft for many years, and are now being used extensively in commercial transport aircraft. For example, most of the primary structure of the Boeing 787 - including the fuselage and wing - will be made of composite materials. Consequently there is an urgent and growing need for engineers trained in the use of structural composites, and the University of Washington's College of Engineering is helping to make it happen through online courses. As part of the new FAA Center of Excellence on Advanced Materials for Transport Aircraft Structures (AMTAS), UW will offer several composites-related courses in the coming year. Online support for these courses is provided by Education at a Distance for Growth and Excellence (UW/EDGE), the distance learning program for the UW College of Engineering.
UW also offers classroom-based courses related to composites in the evening at The Boeing Company's Everett facility (access restricted). For information, please see www.engr.washington.edu/epp/cmc/.
Summer 2007 (June 18 - August 17)
Tentative Schedule
ME 599 Machining and Surface Integrity of Advanced Composites Composite machining by traditional and nontraditional processes. Analysis involving the mechanics of composite cutting including cutting forces, tool-wear/tool-life and temperature analysis, chip control, machinability assessments and advances in cutting tool technology. The effects of process parameters on the surface finish, accuracy, material removal rate, and surface integrity will be discussed. The industrial applications of these processes will be highlighted.
Autumn 2007 (September 26 - December 14)
Tentative Schedule
AA 530 Mechanics of Solids.
General concepts and theory of solid mechanics. Large deformations. Behavior of elastic, viscoelastic, and plastic solids. Linear theory of elasticity and thermoelasticity. Wave propagation in solids.
This course is not specifically about composite materials, but it serves as a prerequisite for advanced study of mechanics of composites.
Winter 2008 (January 7 - March 21)
Tentative Schedule
ME 450 Introduction to Composite Materials & Design Stress and strain analysis of continuous fiber composite materials. Orthotropic elasticity, lamination theory, failure criterion, and design philosophies, as applied to structural polymeric composites. Extended Description
Spring 2008 (March 31 - June 13)
Tentative Schedule
AA 532 Mechanics of Composite Materials Analyses and design of composite materials for aerospace structures. Micromechanics. Anisotropic elasticity. Laminated plate theory. Thermo-viscoelastic behavior and fracture of composites. Prerequisite: AA 530 or permission of instructor.
MSE/ME 563 Advanced Composites: Design and Manufacturing. Manufacturing and processing techniques of metal-, polymer-, and ceramic-matrix composites; design considerations related to manufacturing techniques; non-destructive testing of composite structures. Fiber-matrix interfacial features and interactions. Interfacial thermodynamics applied to selection of fiber-matrix combinations.
Online Access Wherever and Whenever You Need It
Taking an online course from UW combines the advantages of quality instruction and scheduling flexibility. UW is consistently #2 in the country for federally-funded research and has highly ranked engineering programs. Through online access to courses, you can complete your coursework when it fits in your schedule. Class lectures are delivered to your desktop through streaming video, with the choice of viewing class sessions live or anytime after class.
Assignments and exams are identical to the ones used for campus students. Assignments can be submitted electronically or by fax, and exams can be taken at the student's work site. Help from other students, teaching assistants and professors is just a click away through discussion boards set up for each class.
Regardless of where you're located, these courses are available to you. And if you need to travel, the course goes with you since all course materials are online.
Work Toward a Master's Degree - Or Just Take Single Courses
Credits earned from these courses can be used toward one of four online master's degree programs available through the EDGE Program:
If you think a UW degree program is in your future, you must obtain Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM) status before starting your coursework. Enrollment in a degree program is not required, however. With instructor permission, you can enroll in any course offered through the EDGE Program. An audit option is also available for non-degree students. See our "How to Apply" section for details.
For More Information
Complete information about course schedules, online access, applications and enrollment can be found by clicking on the appropriate link on the left side of this page - or by calling 206.685.2242.
Additional credit and non-credit courses on composites may be offered in the future. Visit this page often for updates or or fill out our information request form to be added to our mailing list.