Program Overview

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Materials Science & Engineering, BS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering

Materials science and engineering is the basis for all engineering. Improvements in the quality of life require knowledge of the processing and properties of current materials and the design, development and application of new materials. The Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE) curriculum provides an understanding of the underlying principles of synthesis and processing of materials and of the interrelationships between structure, properties, and processing. Students learn how to create advanced materials and systems required, e.g., for flexible electronic displays and photonics that will change communications technologies, for site specific drug delivery, for self-healing materials, for enabling the transition to a hydrogen-based economy, and for more efficient photovoltaics and nuclear systems for energy production. The curriculum uses concepts from both basic physics and chemistry and provides a detailed knowledge of what makes the materials we use every day behave as they do.

Students in the first two years take courses in general areas of science and engineering as well as courses introducing the concepts in MatSE. In the third year, students study the common, central issues related to MatSE. In the senior year, students focus on an area of MatSE of their greatest interest, providing them with the detailed knowledge to be immediately useful to corporations, become entrepreneurs, or to provide the underpinning knowledge for graduate study. Note: students interested in biomaterials take a specific set of courses to provide them with a background in biology and chemistry while maintaining a strong engineering focus.

Current Program Educational Objectives

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum hours required for graduation: 128 hours.
• Minimum Overall GPA: 2.0
• University Requirements:
  • Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework at the 300- and 400-level.
  • Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
• General Education Requirements:
  • Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements.
  • Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Course List

• Composition I: 4-6 hours
• Advanced Composition: 3 hours (fulfilled by MSE 307 and MSE 308)
• Humanities & the Arts: 6 hours
• Natural Sciences & Technology: 6 hours (fulfilled by CHEM 102, CHEM 104, PHYS 211, PHYS 212)
• Social & Behavioral Sciences: 6 hours
• Cultural Studies:
  • Non-Western Cultures: 3 hours
  • US Minority Cultures: 3 hours
  • Western/Comparative Cultures: 3 hours
• Quantitative Reasoning: 6-10 hours (fulfilled by MATH 221 or MATH 220; MATH 231, MATH 241, MATH 285, PHYS 211, PHYS 212, CS 101)
• Language Requirement: Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required

Materials Science and Engineering Graduation Requirements

Orientation and Professional Development

• ENG 100: Grainger Engineering Orientation Seminar: 1 hour
• MSE 183: Introductory MatSE Laboratory: 1 hour (recommended, optional)

Foundational Mathematics and Science

• CHEM 102: General Chemistry I: 3 hours
• CHEM 103: General Chemistry Lab I: 1 hour
• CHEM 104: General Chemistry II: 3 hours
• CHEM 105: General Chemistry Lab II: 1 hour
• MATH 221: Calculus I: 4 hours (MATH 220 may be substituted)
• MATH 231: Calculus II: 3 hours
• MATH 241: Calculus III: 4 hours
• MATH 257: Linear Algebra with Computational Applications: 3 hours
• MATH 285: Intro Differential Equations: 3 hours
• PHYS 211: University Physics: Mechanics: 4 hours
• PHYS 212: University Physics: Elec & Mag: 4 hours
• PHYS 214: Univ Physics: Quantum Physics: 2 hours

Materials Science and Engineering Technical Core

• For All Students:
  • CS 101: Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci: 3 hours
  • ECE 205: Electrical and Electronic Circuits: 3 hours
  • MSE 182: Introduction to MatSE: 2 hours
  • MSE 201: Phases and Phase Relations: 3 hours
  • MSE 206: Mechanics for MatSE: 4 hours
  • MSE 307: Materials Laboratory I: 3 hours
  • MSE 308: Materials Laboratory II: 3 hours
  • MSE 494: Materials Design Thinking: 1 hour
  • MSE 495: Materials Design: 2 hours
  • MSE 401: Thermodynamics of Materials: 3 hours
  • MSE 402: Kinetic Processes in Materials: 3 hours
  • MSE 406: Thermal-Mech Behavior of Matls: 3 hours
• For the Biomaterials Area:
  • CHEM 232: Elementary Organic Chemistry I: 3-4 hours
  • IE 300: Analysis of Data: 3 hours (or STAT 400 with permission from the department)
  • MCB 150: Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life: 4 hours
  • MCB 450: Introductory Biochemistry: 3 hours
  • MCB 252: Cells, Tissues & Development: 3 hours
  • MSE 470: Design and Use of Biomaterials: 3 hours
• For All Other Areas:
  • IE 300: Analysis of Data: 3 hours (or STAT 400)
  • MSE 304: Electronic Properties of Matls: 3 hours
  • MSE 405: Microstructure Determination: 3 hours

Technical Electives

• For the Biomaterials Area:
  • MSE 404: Laboratory Studies in Materials Science and Engineering: 3 hours
  • Topical lecture courses in the Biomaterials Area: 5 hours
  • Topical lecture courses outside of the Biomaterials Area: 6 hours
• For All Other Areas:
  • MSE 404: Laboratory Studies in Materials Science and Engineering: 6 hours
  • Technical electives selected from the following rubrics: ABE, AE, BIOC, BIOE, BIOP, CHBE, CHEM, CEE, CS, CSE, ECE, IE, MATH, MCB, ME, MSE, NPRE, PHYS, SE, TAM, TE: 6 hours
  • Topical lecture courses: 12 hours

Topical Lectures

• Introductory - No more than 2 introductory courses can count for Topical Lecture
  • MSE 420: Ceramic Materials & Properties: 3 hours
  • MSE 441: Metals Processing: 3 hours
  • MSE 450: Polymer Science & Engineering: 3-4 hours
  • MSE 470: Design and Use of Biomaterials: 3 hours
  • ECE 340: Semiconductor Electronics: 3 hours
• Biomaterials:
  • MSE 473: Biomolecular Materials Science: 3 hours
  • MSE 474: Biomaterials and Nanomedicine: 3 hours
  • ABE 446: Biological Nanoengineering: 3-4 hours
  • BIOE 416: Biosensors: 3 hours
  • BIOE 461: Cellular Biomechanics: 4 hours
  • BIOE 476: Tissue Engineering: 3 hours
  • BIOE 479: Cancer Nanotechnology: 3 hours
  • BIOE 487: Stem Cell Bioengineering: 3-4 hours
  • CHBE 472: Techniques in Biomolecular Eng: 3-4 hours
  • CHBE 473: Biomolecular Engineering: 3-4 hours
  • CHBE 475: Tissue Engineering: 3 hours
  • ECE 380: Biomedical Imaging: 3 hours
  • ECE 414: Biomedical Instrumentation: 3 hours
  • ECE 415: Biomedical Instrumentation Lab: 2 hours
  • ECE 472: Biomedical Ultrasound Imaging: 3 hours
  • ME 482: Musculoskel Tissue Mechanics: 3-4 hours
  • ME 483: Mechanobiology: 4 hours
• Biomaterials Science - Can only count one science course for Topical Lecture Biomaterials
  • BIOC 446: Physical Biochemistry: 3 hours
  • BIOC 455: Technqs Biochem & Biotech: 4 hours
  • BIOP 401: Introduction to Biophysics: 3 hours
• All Other Areas:
  • MSE 403: Synthesis of Materials: 3 hours
  • MSE 421: Ceramic Processing: 3-4 hours
  • MSE 422: Electrical Ceramics: 3 hours
  • MSE 440: Mechanical Behavior of Metals: 3 hours
  • MSE 443: Design of Engineering Alloys: 3 hours
  • MSE 453: Plastics Engineering: 3 hours
  • MSE 455: Macromolecular Solids: 3 hours
  • MSE 456: Mechanics of Composites: 3 hours
  • MSE 457: Polymer Chemistry: 3-4 hours
  • MSE 458: Polymer Physics: 3-4 hours
  • MSE 460: Electronic Materials I: 3 hours
  • MSE 461: Electronic Materials II: 3 hours
  • MSE 464: Magnetic Materials and their Applications: 3-4 hours
  • MSE 466: Electrochemical Energy Conversion: 3 hours
  • MSE 480: Surfaces and Colloids: 3 hours
  • MSE 481: Electron Microscopy: 3 hours
  • MSE 485: Atomic Scale Simulations: 3 hours
  • MSE 487: Materials for Nanotechnology: 3 hours
  • MSE 488: Optical Materials: 3-4 hours
  • MSE 489: Matl Select for Sustainability: 3 hours
  • MSE 498: Special Topics: 3 hours
  • ABE 482: Package Engineering: 3 hours
  • ABE 483: Engineering Properties of Food Materials: 3 hours
  • CEE 401: Concrete Materials: 4 hours
  • CEE 460: Steel Structures I: 3 hours
  • CHBE 458: Synthetic Nanomaterials: 3 hours
  • ECE 441: Physcs & Modeling Semicond Dev: 3 hours
  • ECE 443: LEDs and Solar Cells: 4 hours
  • ECE 444: IC Device Theory & Fabrication: 4 hours
  • ECE 481: Nanotechnology: 4 hours
  • ECE 487: Intro Quantum Electr for EEs: 3 hours
  • ECE 488: Compound Semicond & Devices: 3 hours
  • ECE 495: Photonic Device Laboratory: 3 hours
  • IE 431: Design for Six Sigma: 3 hours
  • ME 431: Mechanical Component Failure: 3-4 hours
  • ME 472: Introduction to Tribology: 3-4 hours
  • ME 487: MEMS-NEMS Theory & Fabrication: 4 hours
  • NPRE 470: Fuel Cells & Hydrogen Sources: 3 hours
  • SE 412: Nondestructive Evaluation: 3-4 hours
  • TAM 451: Intermediate Solid Mechanics: 4 hours
  • TAM 456: Experimental Stress Analysis: 3 hours
• Science - Can only count one science course for Topical Lecture
  • CHEM 436: Fundamental Organic Chem II: 3 hours
  • CHEM 483: Solid State Structural Anlys: 4 hours
  • PHYS 485: Atomic Phys & Quantum Theory: 3 hours
  • PHYS 486: Quantum Physics I: 4 hours
  • PHYS 487: Quantum Physics II: 4 hours

Free Electives

• Additional course work, subject to the Grainger College of Engineering restrictions to Free Electives, so that there are at least 128 credit hours earned toward the degree: 10 hours

Sample Sequence

_This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence. The curriculum sequence can also be viewed via dynamic and static curricular maps (Biomaterials and All Other Areas), which include prerequisite sequencing. _

• First Year:
  • First Semester:
    • MSE 182: Introduction to MatSE: 2 hours
    • MATH 221: Calculus I: 4 hours
    • CHEM 102: General Chemistry I: 3 hours
    • CHEM 103: General Chemistry Lab I: 1 hour
    • ENG 100: Grainger Engineering Orientation Seminar: 1 hour
    • Composition I or General Education: 4-3 hours
    • CS 101: Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci: 3 hours
  • Second Semester:
    • MSE 183: Introductory MatSE Laboratory: 1 hour (optional, recommended)
    • MATH 231: Calculus II: 3 hours
    • CHEM 104: General Chemistry II: 3 hours
    • CHEM 105: General Chemistry Lab II: 1 hour
    • PHYS 211: University Physics: Mechanics: 4 hours
    • General Education: 3-4 hours
• Second Year:
  • First Semester:
    • MSE 201: Phases and Phase Relations: 3 hours
    • MATH 241: Calculus III: 4 hours
    • MATH 257: Linear Algebra with Computational Applications: 3 hours
    • PHYS 212: University Physics: Elec & Mag: 4 hours
    • General Education: 3 hours
  • Second Semester:
    • MSE 206: Mechanics for MatSE: 4 hours
    • MATH 285: Intro Differential Equations: 3 hours
    • ECE 205: Electrical and Electronic Circuits: 3 hours
    • PHYS 214: Univ Physics: Quantum Physics: 2 hours
    • General Education: 3 hours
• Third Year (Biomaterials Area):
  • First Semester:
    • MSE 307: Materials Laboratory I: 3 hours
    • MSE 401: Thermodynamics of Materials: 3 hours
    • MSE 406: Thermal-Mech Behavior of Matls: 3 hours
    • MCB 150: Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life: 4 hours
    • CHEM 232: Elementary Organic Chemistry I: 3-4 hours
  • Second Semester:
    • MSE 308: Materials Laboratory II: 3 hours
    • MSE 402: Kinetic Processes in Materials: 3 hours
    • IE 300: Analysis of Data: 3 hours (or STAT 400 with permission from the department)
    • MCB 252: Cells, Tissues & Development: 3 hours
    • General Education: 3 hours
• Fourth Year (Biomaterials Area):
  • First Semester:
    • MSE 494: Materials Design Thinking: 1 hour
    • MSE 470: Design and Use of Biomaterials: 3 hours
    • Topical Lecture in Biomaterials Area: 3 hours
    • Topical Lecture outside of Biomaterials Area: 3 hours
    • MCB 450: Introductory Biochemistry: 3 hours
    • Language Other Than English (3rd level): 4 hours
  • Second Semester:
    • MSE 495: Materials Design: 2 hours
    • Topical Lecture in Biomaterials Area: 2 hours
    • Topical Lecture outside of Biomaterials Area: 3 hours
    • MSE 404: Laboratory Studies in Materials Science and Engineering: 3 hours
    • Free elective: 2 hours
    • Free elective: 3 hours
• Third Year (All Other Areas):
  • First Semester:
    • MSE 307: Materials Laboratory I: 3 hours
    • MSE 401: Thermodynamics of Materials: 3 hours
    • MSE 406: Thermal-Mech Behavior of Matls: 3 hours
    • IE 300: Analysis of Data: 3 hours (or STAT 400)
    • General Education: 3 hours
  • Second Semester:
    • MSE 308: Materials Laboratory II: 3 hours
    • MSE 304: Electronic Properties of Matls: 3 hours
    • MSE 402: Kinetic Processes in Materials: 3 hours
    • MSE 405: Microstructure Determination: 3 hours
    • Topical Lecture: 3 hours
• Fourth Year (All Other Areas):
  • First Semester:
    • MSE 404: Laboratory Studies in Materials Science and Engineering: 3 hours
    • MSE 494: Materials Design Thinking: 1 hour
    • Topical Lecture: 3 hours
    • Topical Lecture: 3 hours
    • Technical Elective: 3 hours
    • Language Other Than English (3rd level): 4 hours
  • Second Semester:
    • MSE 495: Materials Design: 2 hours
    • MSE 404: Laboratory Studies in Materials Science and Engineering: 3 hours
    • Topical Lecture: 3 hours
    • Technical Elective: 3 hours
    • Free elective: 2 hours
    • Free elective: 3 hours

Learning Outcomes

Materials Science & Engineering graduates will have:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. An ability to 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.
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. An ability to 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.
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.