Ioanna KakouriA professor of materials science and engineering in the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, he helps students connect the dots between materials science, archaeology, and art through the study of ancient materials and technology.
MAT SCI 33W: Material Construction and Technology in Archeology and Architecture is taught by Kakoulli each fall semester. Students taking this course will learn how to think like art detectives, using the knowledge they have acquired to deduce the stories behind ancient works.
“What’s really interesting about this course is that you can learn through reverse engineering processes and explore ancient engineering materials and their micro/nanostructures, physical, chemical, and mechanical properties,” Kakouri said. “You’ll learn how ancient societies developed technology and innovation to create materials and structures that remain to this day.”
“What’s really interesting about this course is that you can learn through reverse engineering processes and explore ancient engineering materials and their micro/nanostructure, physical, chemical and mechanical properties,” Ioanna Kakouri said.
This course covers three classes of materials and composite materials. — Glass materials, building material binders, pigments and colorants. Students will work with materials such as ceramics, glass, lime-based mortars, concrete, as well as natural and synthetic pigments.
MAT SCI 33W is designed to develop research, writing, and critical thinking skills while introducing students to topics and ideas they would not otherwise learn. This course is designed to appeal to a diverse group of students, including those studying in fields other than science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
“What surprised me the most during the class was discovering how interesting the inner workings and structures of various forms of antiquity were,” said Evan Titus, a third-year economics student. “My favorite part of the class was the mural we painted towards the end of the quarter. Not only was it a lot of fun because of the creative aspect of the exercise, but it really pushed me out of my comfort zone. .”
For fourth-year art history major Alisala Nunes, who majored in materials engineering before transferring to UCLA, this course provides an opportunity to combine her passions for art history and materials engineering.
