Technology department offers a new program in metallurgy

Metal, metal everywhere, but many don't know how to manipulate it. Dr. Zariff (Zac) Chaudhury, associate professor of metallurgical engineering technology, presented a seminar Thursday about what metallurgy is, opportunities in the field, and the new metallurgy program ASU-J is now offering technology majors.

What is This Big Word?

According to Chaudhury, metallurgy is an area that deals with metals and alloys. It is a type of technology/engineering that takes root in principles of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Metallurgists use various techniques in changing the properties of metal; these include heat treatment, surface hardening, etc.

This field of study has relevance in that metals surround us in our day-to-day lives.

"Your cookeries, your utensils, your brass, bronze, stainless steel, all [of these] you see in your daily life," Chaudhury said. "Your cars, bicycles, trains, airplanes-all are products made from metals and alloys."

People who choose metallurgical engineering/technology careers are responsible for supplying and developing materials used by people in almost every other engineering field. Demand for workers who know metallurgy is very high in the job market right now. High demand for workers increases income for those who are hired in the field, according to Chaudhury.

Government/defense, the steel industry, the auto industry, research and development, the welding industry, the manufacturing industry, the mining industry, and several others employ metallurgical students, especially in Northeast Arkansas. According to an article found in The Jonesboro Sun, titled "Metal Man," this region is the nation's second-largest steel-producing area.

What's Up With This New Option Offered at ASU?

ASU metallurgy students will learn to extract metals from ores/minerals, how to produce metals, how to process them, and what exactly the physical/mechanical properties of metals are.

Two courses have been approved to provide this knowledge. These two are titled "Introduction to Metallurgy" and "Heat Treatment of Industrial Alloys." Proposed courses include metallography and materials testing, ferrous metallurgy, non-ferrous metallurgy, refractories and ceramics, powder metallurgy, and surface technology of materials. A total of 15 to 16 hours will be required to satisfy the requirements for this emphasis.

A maximum of 25 students may be admitted to the program. This limit is necessary because Chaudhury is the only faculty who is qualified to teach these classes. If interest increases, ASU may consider hiring additional faculty for this emphasis.

The main obstacle this program faces is a lack of funding for two labs necessary to the program. One lab will allow students to experiment with heat treatment. The other lab will provide students with opportunities to cut, polish, and view samples with an electron microscope. According to the "Metal Man" article found in The Jonesboro Sun, Chaudhury said each lab will cost at least $250,000 to equip, and ASU has committed to give the program $10,000 in start-up funds.

The university has also promised to make an effort toward attaining more money. The physical space for these labs has been provided by the university, but donations are needed to build/equip them. Chaudhury suggested that every ASU student could give ten dollars toward this cause, and Jonesboro residents could make contributions. He has and is visiting companies that hire metallurgical engineers/technologists. Some of these companies have agreed to help with funding. Many will also offer internships to metallurgy students. Nucor: Sheet Mill Group, American Railcar Industries, Colson Caster Corp., and Hytrol Conveyor Company, Inc. are among those who have been approached.

Who is this Dr. Zac?

The College of Agriculture launched a national search in January 2007 for someone qualified enough in the field of metallurgy to start up the new metallurgy program. ASU representatives interviewed Chaudury over the phone in March 2007. When he requested a face-to-face meeting, ASU obliged in April 2007. At that time, Chaudhury was offered the position he now holds, although he could not start work until September.

Chaudhury is originally from Bangladesh. He's worked in the field of engineering for approximately 30 years, and he taught for eight years. He was working for Intel Corp.'s New Mexico Materials lab at Rio Rancho, N.M., when ASU representatives contacted him. He has taught metallurgy courses at Ohio State University, Wayne State University at Detroit, and the University of Engineering and Technology in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He accepted an approximated $20,000 pay cut in exchange for the opportunity to teach again.

"Out of 30 years, I found that my eight years of teaching were the best of my life," Chaudhury said.