Program Overview

Materials Science Undergraduate Program

The Materials Science program deals with the structure and properties of materials at the molecular level and applies this knowledge to build new materials and technologies. The curriculum spans the colleges of Engineering, Science, and Forestry, offering a wide variety of courses taught by faculty in mechanical, civil, nuclear, and chemical engineering, as well as physics, chemistry, and other areas.

Program Overview

The program prepares students for careers in industries such as aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, nuclear power, pharmaceuticals, nanotechnology, biomedical materials, textiles, and more. Oregon State's strong industry ties create abundant employment opportunities.

Degree Types

• Minor

Locations

• Corvallis

Program Features

The materials science minor equips engineering and science students with the knowledge to understand and manipulate material properties, enhancing career prospects in diverse fields such as:

• Advanced computing and electronics
• Biotechnology and medicine
• Energy and sustainability
• Nanotechnology
• Construction and manufacturing

Student Experience

Students in the program have the opportunity to explore their interests in materials science through various courses and research projects. For example, mechanical engineering student Madalyn Gragg shifted her focus toward nanoscience and photovoltaics after coursework in materials science.

Faculty and Research

The program's faculty have expertise and research interests in various areas of materials science. Students can explore the faculty directory to learn more about their research and areas of expertise.

Related Programs

Similar majors and associated programs include:

• Chemical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering

Undergraduate Program Details

Example Courses

A sampling of courses available in this minor program includes:

• Mechanical Properties of Materials (MATS 322)
• Welding Metallurgy (MATS 445)
• Materials Selection (MATS 480)
• Materials for Nuclear Energy Systems (NSE 445)
• Physical & Mechanical Properties of Renewable Materials (WSE 322)
• Polymer Science and Engineering (CHE 445)
• Electronic Materials and Devices (ECE 416)

Minor Requirements

The Materials Science minor is aimed at students with a wide range of materials-related interests, including composites, ceramics, polymers, metallurgy, electronic materials and devices, solid-state chemistry, and solid-state physics.

Accelerated Masters Program

The Accelerated Master's Platform allows current OSU undergraduate students to take graduate classes and apply up to 22 of those credits to their current undergraduate degree and transfer them to a participating graduate program. Some students combine their Materials Science minor with the AMP to earn graduate credits in their Junior and Senior year.

Beyond the Classroom

The program offers various opportunities for students to build community, gain hands-on experience, and connect with industry professionals through student clubs, mentorship programs, industry partnerships, and career development resources. The Atlantis Program, for example, allows students to earn dual B.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering (OSU) and Materials Science (Saarlandes University, Germany) in 5 years through a unique study abroad experience.