Program Overview

Materials Science & Engineering

Overview

Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is at the interface between scientific ideas and technological application. We work across disciplines to apply our fundamental knowledge of matter to engineer novel material structures and properties that will enable new technologies with broad impact to society and the global community. MSE faculty are pursuing new materials innovations and their application to critical challenges in such areas as high-efficiency, renewable energy generation and storage, environmental sensing and remediation, high-fidelity computational materials modeling for new materials design and prediction, hypersonic materials for aerospace and space-based systems, off-planet 3-D printing and extreme environment manufacturing, new quantum computing and encryption architectures for enhanced data security, and microelectronic, photonic and even phononic (sound-based) signal and data processing. With a high percentage of our undergraduates involved in faculty-led research projects, the pursuit of a degree in Materials Science and Engineering can involve working on key scientific and technological challenges while exploring MSE's impact across multiple engineering and science fields through collaborative teaming and interdisciplinary problem solving. An engaged, teaching-active faculty and academic programs office provide insight and guidance as students pursue their degree on their own terms, building from a strong core curriculum and flexible elective options that incorporate hands-on laboratories addressing material structure, processing and properties across ceramics, metallurgy, polymers, and semiconductor systems. Students learn about fundamental materials behavior, its relationship to atomistic and micro-scale structure and the principles necessary to tune material structure and properties through traditional and cutting-edge synthesis and processing methods. From metallurgical processing and alloy development to electronic and optical materials design and synthesis to biologically inspired structures and applications, students are exposed to the concepts and phenomena that serve as the basis for the technologies that drive our industrialized society and its high-tech infrastructure.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
• Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
• Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
• Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
• Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
• Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Program Details

Sample Courses

• MSE 345: Thermodynamics
• MSE 365: Physical Properties of Materials
• MSE 415: Transport/Kinetics

Career Fields

• Energy
• Defense
• Optics
• Aerospace
• Medicine
• Manufacturing
• Information technology

Level of Math

Substantial Knowledge

This strand involves skill and facility with calculus. The S-strand begins at one of two calculus options - MATH 122A/B (Functions for Calculus and First-Semester Calculus) or MATH 125 (Calculus I). Students who successfully complete the S-strand may continue on to MATH 129 (Calculus II), MATH 223 (Vector Calculus), or beyond. Those who choose but are not ready to begin the S-strand will be required to take preparatory work.

Level of Second Language

None

Second language is not required.

Pre-major Required?

No

Additional Admissions Requirements

This major has additional admission criteria. Please see the College of Engineering website for more information.

This Major's College

College of Engineering

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engr

Sample Plans

2025, Materials Science & Engineering

• 4-Year Sample Plan
• Map Transfer Coursework
• Plan Ahead with a Transfer Pathway

First Year

• 1st Semester
  • MATH 122 A/B or MATH 125 Calculus I with Applications (3)
  • MSE 109 Materials Chemistry for Engineers or CHEM 151 General Chemistry I * or CHEM 161/163 (4)
  • ENGL 101 or 107 or 109H First-Year Composition (3)
  • ENGR 102A/B Introduction to Engineering or ENGR 102 (3)
  • Introduction to the General Education Experience (Entry Course) (1)
• 2nd Semester
  • MATH 129 Calculus II (3)
  • MSE 110 Solid State Chemistry (4)
  • PHYS 141 Introductory Mechanics or PHYS 161H (4)
  • ENGL 102 or 108 First-Year Composition (3)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives and Building Connections (3)

Second Year

• 3rd Semester
  • MSE 222 Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering I - Fall Only (3)
  • MATH 223 Vector Calculus (4)
  • PHYS 241 Introductory Electricity and Magnetism or PHYS 261H (4)
  • MSE 280 Introduction to Computer Methods in MSE - Fall Only (2)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives and Building Connections (3)
• 4th Semester
  • MSE 223R Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering II -Spring Only (3)
  • MSE 223L Materials Processing Laboratory - Spring Only (2)
  • MSE 345 Thermodynamics - Spring Only (4)
  • MATH 254 Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations or MATH 355 (3)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives and Building Connections (3)

Third Year

• 5th Semester
  • MSE Technical Elective See major advisor for course approval (3)
  • Math Elective See major advisor for course approval (3)
  • MSE 370 Mechanical Behavior of Materials - Fall Only (3)
  • ECE 207 Elements of Electrical Engineering (3)
  • MSE 365 Physical Properties of Materials - Fall Only (3)
• 6th Semester
  • MSE 360L Materials Lab - Spring Only (1)
  • MSE Technical Elective See major advisor for course approval (3)
  • MSE 480 Advanced Characterization Methods in MSE Spring Only (3)
  • MSE 415 Transport/Kinetics - Spring Only (4)
  • Advanced Science Elective See major advisor for course approval (3)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives and Building Connections (3)

Fourth Year

• 7th Semester
  • ENGR 498A Cross-disciplinary Design (Fall Only) Senior Status or MSE 498 Senior Capstone (3)
  • MSE Technical Elective See major advisor for course approval (3)
  • Technical Elective ** CE 301 - Engineering Commmunications (3)
  • Technical Elective See major advisor for course approval (3)
• 8th Semester
  • ENGR 498B Cross-disciplinary Design (Spring Only) Senior Status or MSE 498 Senior Capstone (3)
  • MSE Technical Elective See Advisor for Course Approval (3)
  • Technical Elective See major advisor for course approval (3)
  • Technical Elective See major advisor for course approval (3)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives and Building Connections (3)
  • General Education Portfolio (Exit Course) (1)