Program Overview

Materials Science and Engineering, B.S.

Overview

The undergraduate major in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) provides students with a thorough knowledge of basic engineering and scientific principles. The undergraduate curriculum in MSE includes a core of Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, basic Engineering courses, Materials and Engineering core, and technical courses in Materials Science, Engineering, and Sciences.

Program Educational Objectives

Graduates of the Materials Science and Engineering program will:

• Establish a productive Materials Science and Engineering career in industry, government, or academia
• Apply critical reasoning and the requisite analytical/quantitative skills in seeking solutions to materials science and engineering problems
• Promote innovation in materials discovery, development, and design through effective leadership, skilled communications, and multidisciplinary teamwork
• Exhibit a commitment to engineering ethics, environmental stewardship, continued learning, and professional development

Admission

• High School Students: See School Admissions information
• Transfer Students: Preference will be given to junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall, and who have satisfactorily completed the required courses:
  • Two years of approved calculus
  • One year of calculus-based physics with laboratories (mechanics, electricity, and magnetism)
  • Completion of lower-division writing
  • One year of general chemistry (with laboratory)
  • One course in introductory programming

Requirements

Major Requirements

• Mathematics and Basic Science Courses:
  • ENGR 1A: General Chemistry for Engineers
  • CHEM 1A: General Chemistry
  • CHEM 1B-1C: General Chemistry
  • CHEM 1LC: General Chemistry Laboratory
  • MATH 2A-2B: Single-Variable Calculus I and II
  • MATH 2D: Multivariable Calculus I
  • MATH 3A: Introduction to Linear Algebra
  • MATH 3D: Elementary Differential Equations
  • MATH 2E: Multivariable Calculus II
  • PHYSICS 7C-7LC: Classical Physics and Classical Physics Laboratory
  • PHYSICS 7D-7E: Classical Physics
  • PHYSICS 7LD: Classical Physics Laboratory
• Engineering Topics Courses:
  • MSE 60: Laboratory in Synthesis and Characterization of Materials
  • MSE 69: Electronic and Optical Properties in Materials
  • MSE 151: Polymeric Materials
  • MSE 155: Mechanical Behavior and Design Principles
  • MSE 155L: Mechanical Behavior Laboratory
  • MSE 158: Ceramic Materials for Sustainable Energy
  • MSE 164: X-ray Diffraction, Electron Microscopy, and Microanalysis
  • MSE 164L: X-ray Diffraction, Electron Microscopy, and Microanalysis Lab
  • MSE 165A: Thermodynamics of Materials
  • MSE 165B: Diffusion and Heat Transport in Materials
  • MSE 165C: Materials Kinetics and Phase Transformations
  • MSE 165CL: Laboratory in Materials Kinetics and Phase Transformations
  • MSE 175: Design Failure Investigation
  • MSE 189A-189B-189C: Senior Design Project I, II, and III
  • MSE 190: Materials Selection and Design
  • EECS 70A: Network Analysis I
  • ENGRMAE 60: Electric Circuits
  • ENGR 54: Principles of Materials Science and Engineering
  • ENGR 150: Mechanics of Structures
  • ENGRMAE 150: Mechanics of Structures
  • ENGRMAE 10: Introduction to Engineering Computations
  • ENGRMAE 30: Statics
  • ENGRMAE 150L: Mechanics of Structures Laboratory
• Engineering Electives:
  • Students must complete a minimum of four courses from the lists below
  • Basic Science or Engineering Electives:
    • BIO SCI 93: From DNA to Organisms
    • BME 50A: Cell and Molecular Engineering
    • BME 50B: Cell and Molecular Engineering
    • EECS 70B: Network Analysis II
    • ENGR 7A-7B: Introduction to Engineering I and II
    • ENGRMAE 52: Computer-Aided Design
    • ENGRMAE 80: Dynamics
    • PHYSICS 52A: Fundamentals of Experimental Physics
    • STATS 7: Basic Statistics
  • Technical Electives:
    • BME 110B: Biomechanics II
    • BME 111: Design of Biomaterials
    • BME 120: Sensory Motor Systems
    • CBE 175: Electrochemical Engineering
    • EECS 170A: Electronics I
    • EECS 174: Semiconductor Devices
    • EECS 176: Fundamentals of Solid-State Electronics and Materials
    • ENGR 165: Advanced Manufacturing
    • ENGRMAE 114: Fuel Cell Fundamentals and Technology
    • ENGRMAE 117: Solar and Renewable Energy Systems
    • ENGRMAE 118: Sustainable Energy Systems
    • ENGRMAE 145: Theory of Machines and Mechanisms
    • ENGRMAE 147: Vibrations
    • ENGRMAE 151B: Mechanical Engineering Design II
    • ENGRMAE 153: Advanced BIOMEMS Manufacturing Techniques
    • ENGRMAE 157: Lightweight Structures
    • MSE 141: Nano-Scale Materials and Applications
    • MSE 142: Synthesis and Properties of Biological, Biomimetic, and Bio-Inspired Materials
    • MSE 171: Green Engineering: Theory and Practice
    • MSE 174: Composite Materials Design
    • MSE 176: Surface and Adhesion Science
    • MSE 178: Fundamentals of Materials Processing: How are Materials Processed to Make Things?
    • MSE 199: Individual Study

Specializations

• Specialization in Materials Processing:
  • Requires a minimum of three courses from:
    • ENGR 165: Advanced Manufacturing
    • ENGRMAE 153: Advanced BIOMEMS Manufacturing Techniques
    • MSE 171: Green Engineering: Theory and Practice
    • MSE 174: Composite Materials Design
    • MSE 178: Fundamentals of Materials Processing: How are Materials Processed to Make Things?
• Specialization in Energy Materials and Sustainability:
  • Requires a minimum of three courses from:
    • CBE 175: Electrochemical Engineering
    • ENGRMAE 114: Fuel Cell Fundamentals and Technology
    • ENGRMAE 117: Solar and Renewable Energy Systems
    • ENGRMAE 118: Sustainable Energy Systems
    • MSE 141: Nano-Scale Materials and Applications
    • MSE 171: Green Engineering: Theory and Practice
• Specialization in Biomaterials:
  • Requires a minimum of three courses from:
    • BME 110B: Biomechanics II
    • BME 111: Design of Biomaterials
    • BME 120: Sensory Motor Systems
    • ENGRMAE 153: Advanced BIOMEMS Manufacturing Techniques
• Specialization in Electronic and Functional Materials:
  • Requires a minimum of three courses from:
    • EECS 170A: Electronics I
    • EECS 174: Semiconductor Devices
    • EECS 176: Fundamentals of Solid-State Electronics and Materials
    • MSE 141: Nano-Scale Materials and Applications
    • MSE 176: Surface and Adhesion Science
• Specialization in Structural and Mechanical Materials:
  • Requires a minimum of three courses from:
    • ENGR 165: Advanced Manufacturing
    • MSE 174: Composite Materials Design
    • MSE 178: Fundamentals of Materials Processing: How are Materials Processed to Make Things?
    • ENGRMAE 145: Theory of Machines and Mechanisms
    • ENGRMAE 147: Vibrations
    • ENGRMAE 155: Composite Materials and Structures
    • ENGRMAE 157: Lightweight Structures

Sample Program of Study

A sample program of study for the major in Materials Science and Engineering is available. Students should keep in mind that this program is based upon a sequence of prerequisites, beginning with adequate preparation in high school mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

Freshman

• Fall: MATH 2A, ENGR 1A, ENGRMAE 10, General Education
• Winter: MATH 2B, CHEM 1B, PHYSICS 7C, General Education
• Spring: MATH 2D, CHEM 1C, PHYSICS 7D, PHYSICS 7LC

Sophomore

• Fall: MATH 3A, PHYSICS 7E, ENGR 30, ENGR 54
• Winter: MATH 3D, MSE 60, Engineering Elective, General Education
• Spring: MATH 2E, MSE 69, EECS 70A, Engineering Elective

Junior

• Fall: MSE 165A, ENGR 150, ENGRMAE 150L, MSE 164
• Winter: MSE 165B, MSE 155, MSE 165CL, ENGR 190W
• Spring: MSE 165C, MSE 155L, MSE 190, General Education

Senior

• Fall: MSE 151, MSE 189A, MSE 158, Engineering Elective
• Winter: MSE 175, MSE 189B, General Education, General Education
• Spring: MSE 189C, General Education, General Education, Engineering Elective