For Tim McInerney, a graduate student working on his master's degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Montana Tech's Thesis Abroad program meant a three-month stint in Berlin in the Fall of 2002, where he worked in a lab at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing.

While in Berlin, McInerney found himself working in a large laboratory with other students as well as "doctor engineers."  His research involved trying to stop aluminum from cracking when it was being welded.  McInerney was working with high-strength aluminum alloys, such as aluminum 6061, which is used in such common things as window frames, car bodies and bicycles. 

"It was a great experience," McInerney said.  "Going to another country, and making all those contacts...and I learned a lot."  The researchers were "very educated people," McInerney said.  "They know their stuff.  They helped so much."

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