Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Part 3: Time Dependent Behavior and Failure

Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 1861, is a world-leading private research university with about 13,253 students, including roughly 3,718 international members. Offering 148 programs across engineering, science, management, the humanities, architecture, and computing, MIT combines deep disciplinary training with broad interdisciplinary options on a compact, collaborative campus. Its mission emphasizes advancing knowledge and serving the world through rigorous scholarship and innovation.

Academically, MIT emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, hands-on research, and entrepreneurial thinking. Students participate in laboratory research, design studios, and startup incubators, working on challenges in artificial intelligence, climate mitigation, biotechnology, urban systems, and more. Facilities such as makerspaces, supercomputing centers, and industry partnerships support rapid prototyping and applied discovery while close faculty mentoring bridges classroom learning and real-world impact.

Campus life balances rigorous academics with a vibrant culture of student clubs, performance groups, athletics, and service. International students find dedicated support through orientation, visa advising, language resources, and cultural organizations, and career services connect learners with internships and employers worldwide. Prospective applicants should highlight collaborative projects, research experience, and a clear plan for contributing to innovation and public good when applying.

This program is a non-degree course that focuses on the time-dependent behavior and failure of materials. It's taught in English and lasts several weeks. The main advantage is that it provides an in-depth look at viscoelasticity, plasticity, creep, brittle fracture, and fatigue.

The curriculum covers viscoelasticity, plasticity, creep in crystalline materials, brittle fracture, and fatigue. Students will develop skills in analyzing the mechanical behavior of materials under different loading conditions and understanding the mechanisms that control material properties. The course includes hands-on components to help students apply theoretical concepts to real-world problems.

After completing this program, students can pursue careers as Materials Scientists, Mechanical Engineers, Aerospace Engineers, Biomedical Engineers, or Quality Control Engineers. They can work in industries such as energy, construction, or manufacturing, and be employed by companies like NASA, Ford, or 3M.