Program Overview

Introduction to the Undergraduate Major in Materials Science

The Undergraduate Major in Materials Science is designed to prepare students for research, professional practice, or advanced study in a rapidly advancing interdisciplinary field. The program builds on the core curriculum to develop analytical competence and use it for individualized research, culminating in a one-year senior thesis. Materials Science students develop professional independence, creativity, leadership, and the capacity for continuing professional and intellectual growth.

Program Requirements

The program requires fulfillment of the following:

1. Extended core requirements in:
   • Differential Equations (Ma 2 or equivalent)
   • Probability and Statistics (Ma 3, Ge/ESE 118 or equivalent)
   • Waves (Ph 2a, Ph 12a or equivalent)
   • Quantum Mechanics (Ph 2b, Ph 12b, Ch 21a or equivalent)
   • Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (Ph 2c, Ph 12c or equivalent)
2. Demonstration of competency in computer programming or computer science by taking CS 1, or by taking an approved alternative course, or by passing a placement exam administered by the computer science option.
3. 9 units of laboratory courses taken from a specified list, including:
   • APh 77 bc
   • Ae/APh 104 bc
   • CE 180
   • CS/CNS 171
   • CS/CNS 174
   • EE 45
   • EE/CS 52 ab
   • EE/CS 53
   • EE 90
   • EE 91 ab
   • MS 122
   • MS 125
   • MS 142
   • ME 72 ab
   • ME 50ab
4. 9 units of additional laboratory courses, either from the list above or from EAS courses with the word "laboratory" in the title, excluding those courses for which freshman laboratory credit is allowed.
5. Completion of:
   • ACM 104 and ACM 95 ab
   • or Ma 108 abc
   • or Ma 109 abc
6. E 10 or equivalent
7. E 11 or equivalent
8. APh 17 ab or ChE 63 ab or APh 105 ab
9. MS 115 and MS/ME/MedE 116 and MS 90 (or other appropriate laboratory in MS)
10. At least 45 units of additional courses from a list of restricted electives, including:
    • ACM 104
    • Ae/AM/CE/ME 102 abc
    • APh 105 abc
    • APh 114 abc
    • APh/EE 130
    • APh/EE 183
    • Ch 21 abc
    • Ch 120 ab
    • Ch 121 ab
    • Ch 125 abc
    • Ch/ChE 147
    • ChE/Ch 148
    • CS 11
    • Ge 114 ab
    • ME 12 abc
    • MS 122
    • MS 125
    • MS 131
    • MS 132
    • MS 133
    • MS 142
    • Ph 125 abc
11. Senior thesis MS 78 abc

Typical Course Schedule

The typical course schedule for the Undergraduate Major in Materials Science is outlined below:

Second Year

• First term:
  • CS1: Intro. to Computer Programming (9 units)
  • Ma 2: Differential Equations (9 units)
  • MS 115: Fundamentals of Materials Science (9 units)
  • Ph 2abc or Ph 12abc: Waves, Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Physics (9 units)
• Second term:
  • Ma 3: Intro. to Probability and Statistics (9 units)
  • MS 116: Mechanical Behavior of Materials (9 units)
  • Ph 2abc or Ph 12abc: Waves, Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Physics (9 units)
• Third term:
  • MS 90: Materials Science Laboratory (9 units)
  • Ph 2abc or Ph 12abc: Waves, Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Physics (9 units)

Third Year

• First term:
  • ACM 104: Applied Linear Algebra (9 units)
  • APh 105abc: States of Matter (9 units)
  • MS 131: Structure and Bonding in Materials (9 units)
• Second term:
  • ACM 95 ab: Intro. Methods of Applied Math. (12 units)
  • APh 105abc: States of Matter (9 units)
  • MS 132: Diffraction and Structure (9 units)
• Third term:
  • APh 105abc: States of Matter (9 units)
  • MS 133: Kinetic Processes in Materials (9 units)

Fourth Year

• First term:
  • E 10: Technical Seminar Presentation (3 units)
  • MS 78abc: Senior Thesis (9 units)
• Second term:
  • E 11: Written Technical Communication (3 units)
  • MS 78abc: Senior Thesis (9 units)
• Third term:
  • MS 78abc: Senior Thesis (9 units)

Academic Performance

Any student in the MS option whose grade-point average is less than 1.9 at the end of the academic year in the subjects listed in the option requirements may be refused permission to continue to work in the MS option. Passing grades must be earned in at least 486 units, including those listed in requirements 1–8 above.