Program Overview

Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and NanoEngineering (BSMSNE) Degree

The program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and NanoEngineering (BSMSNE) is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the General Criteria and the Materials, Metallurgical, Ceramics and Similarly Named Engineering Program Criteria.

Program Learning Outcomes (Student Outcomes) for the BSMSNE Degree

• An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
• 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.
• An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• 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.
• 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.
• An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
• An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Program Educational Objectives for the BSMSNE Degree

The Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and NanoEngineering (BSMSNE) degree prepares graduates to succeed in professional careers by equipping them with the expertise sought by top graduate schools and corporations. Recognizing that graduates may embark on diverse educational and career paths, the Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) that graduates will achieve within a few years of obtaining their Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and NanoEngineering (BSMSNE) degree from Rice University are:

• Graduates will demonstrate technical proficiency and professional achievement in their work which may include scientific inquiry as well as problem-solving, process optimization, and/or design in materials engineering and related fields.
• Graduates will be accomplished at communicating and working collaboratively in diverse work environments.
• Graduates seeking post-baccalaureate education will achieve appropriate levels of success in admission to and progression through those programs. Graduates entering professional careers will achieve appropriate career progression and success.

Requirements for the BSMSNE Degree

For general university requirements, see Graduation Requirements. Students pursuing the BSMSNE degree must complete:

• A minimum of 31-34 courses (87-90 credit hours), depending on course selection, to satisfy major requirements.
• A minimum of 124-127 credit hours, depending on course selection, to satisfy degree requirements.
• A minimum of 16 courses (36 credit hours) taken at the 300-level or above.

Course Requirements

The courses listed below satisfy the requirements for this major. In certain instances, courses not on this official list may be substituted upon approval of the major's academic advisor or, where applicable, the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Required Math and Science Prerequisites

• MATH 101: SINGLE VARIABLE CALCULUS I
• MATH 102: SINGLE VARIABLE CALCULUS II
• PHYS 101 & PHYS 103: MECHANICS (WITH LAB) and MECHANICS DISCUSSION
• PHYS 102 & PHYS 104: ELECTRICITY & MAGNETISM (WITH LAB) and ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM DISCUSSION
• MATH 211: ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS AND LINEAR ALGEBRA
• MATH 212: MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS
• CHEM 121: GENERAL CHEMISTRY I
• CHEM 123: GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I
• CHEM 122: GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
• CHEM 124: GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II
• CMOR 220: INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING COMPUTATION

Core Requirements

• MSNE 201: DISCOVERING MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING: ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS FOR A CHANGING WORLD
• MSNE 211: INTRODUCTION TO MATERIALS SCIENCE FOR ENGINEERS
• MSNE 302: MATERIALS PROCESSING AND NANOMANUFACTURING
• MSNE 304: MATERIALS SCIENCE JUNIOR LAB
• MSNE 311: MATERIALS SELECTION AND DESIGN
• MSNE 401: THERMODYNAMICS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
• MSNE 402: MECH PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS
• MSNE 406: PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SOLIDS
• MSNE 407: CAPSTONE DESIGN PROJECT I
• MSNE 408: CAPSTONE DESIGN PROJECT II
• MSNE 435: CRYSTALLOGRAPHY & DIFFRACTION
• MSNE 450 & MSNE 451: MATERIALS SCIENCE SEMINAR

Elective Requirements

• Select 1 elective course from the Engineering Cluster
• Select 1 elective course from the Math and Science Cluster
• Select 1 elective course from the Technical Cluster or select additional Engineering Cluster courses

Policies for the BSMSNE Degree

Program Restrictions and Exclusions

Students pursuing the BSMSNE degree should be aware of the following program restriction:

• Students may not obtain both a BA and a BS in the same major. Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and NanoEngineering (BSMSNE) Degree may not additionally pursue the BA Degree with a Major in Materials Science and NanoEngineering.

Transfer Credit

For Rice University's policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit. Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit. Requests for transfer credit must be approved for Rice equivalency by the designated transfer credit advisor for the appropriate academic department offering the Rice equivalent course.

Opportunities for the BSMSNE Degree

Academic Honors

The university recognizes academic excellence achieved over an undergraduate's academic history at Rice. For information on university honors, please see Latin Honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude) and Distinction in Research and Creative Work.

Fifth-Year Master's Degree Option for Rice Undergraduate Students

In certain situations and with some terminal master's degree programs, Rice students have an option to pursue a master's degree by adding an additional fifth year to their four years of undergraduate studies. Rice undergraduate students completing studies in science and engineering may have the option to pursue the Master of Materials Science and NanoEngineering (MMSNE) degree.

Research Opportunities

Many MSNE majors participate in undergraduate research; some even start during their freshman year. To get involved, speak to a MSNE undergraduate advisor or directly to a MSNE faculty member.