Materials Science and Engineering Undergraduate Curriculum

The undergraduate program is designed to give the student a basic understanding of the structure and properties of materials, the principles underlying the processing of materials, and the concepts of engineering design and problem solving. Both theory and practice are emphasized. Laboratory experiences are integrated into the curriculum, and a variety of professional and engineering science electives are available. When desirable, specialized programs can be arranged for the students with well-defined interests and goals. Students are prepared to accept positions in production, research, and management, in both the basic materials and advanced or high-tech materials industries. This versatile education is a strong preparation for graduate work in metallurgy and materials and other related fields.

Course work in the social sciences and humanities is included for the enhancement of the student’s awareness of the importance of social, political, and economic problems in the practice of engineering. Where appropriate, the upper-level courses introduce consideration of human values, social benefits, and constraints to prepare future practicing engineers to be responsive to such concerns.

The major objectives of the program are to:

  1. Demonstrate successful application of Materials Science and Engineering knowledge and skills for societal benefit through industry, public sector, or private practice.
  2. Pursue life-long learning through advanced professional degrees, graduate studies in Materials Science and Engineering , professional training, or engineering certification.
  3. Demonstrate continuous professional and intellectual growth as leaders in their engineering profession and/or community.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to collaborate in an intra-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary manner to identify issues and opportunities and create solutions likely exceeding individual capabilities alone.

In addition to required courses within and outside of the department, students also are required to take three materials science and engineering technical electives, one engineering elective, six humanity and social science electives, and one communication skills elective. There are a total of 128 passed units required for graduation, all of which must be taken with the letter-grade option.

All engineering students complete the same requirements during the first year (semesters one and two) regardless of major or department.

The Materials Science and Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Materials, Metallurgical, Ceramics, and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria.

Technical Electives

Students are required to satisfactorily complete three of the following materials science and engineering technical elective courses, for a total of (9) nine units. The courses are presented by subject area to assist students who wish to choose courses from an area of personal interest.


Bulk Engineering Materials & Manufacturing:


(choose 3 of the following courses, years indicate rotating classes and their tentative year)

Usually Fall Semester:

MEMS 1102

MEMS 1163

MEMS 1080

MEMS 1087

Usually Spring Semester:

MEMS 1101

MEMS 1103

MEMS 1130


Advanced Manufacturing:


(choose 3 of the following courses, years indicate rotating classes and their tentative year)

Usually Fall Semester:

MEMS 1080

MEMS 1087

MEMS 1057

Usually Spring Semester (years indicate rotating classes and their tentative year):

MEMS 1130

MEMS 1103


Nanomaterials & Nanomanufacturing:


(choose 3 of the following courses, years indicate rotating classes and their tentative year)

Usually Fall Semester:

ENGR 0240

MEMS 1057

MEMS 1163

MEMS 1080

MSE 2061:Tribology: adhesion, friction, lubrication, wear (Fall 2022/2024, permission required)

MEMS 1048

 

Usually Spring Semester:

ENGR 1066

MEMS 1130

MEMS 1111


Biomaterials:


(choose 3 of the following courses, years indicate rotating classes and their tentative year)

Usually Fall Semester:

BIOENG 1070

BIOENG 1075

BIOENG 1810

Usually Spring Semester:

BIOENG 1071

BIOENG 1075

IE 1202


Energy:


(choose 3 of the following courses, years indicate rotating classes and their tentative year)

Usually Fall Semester:

ENGR 1700

ENGR 1702

Usually Spring Semester:

ENGR 1701

MEMS 1111

ENGR 1066

MSE 2033: Power Magnetic Materials and Devices (permission required)

ENGR 1700, ENGR 1701, ENGR 1702: part of the Nuclear Certificate 


Computational Materials Science (first year offered):


(choose 3 of the following courses, years indicate rotating classes and their tentative year)

Usually Fall Semester:

- ENGR 1451/2451: Exploratory Data Science

Usually Spring Semester:

- MSE 2012 Computational Materials Science (Spring 2021/2023)
- MSE 2112 Nanoscale Modeling and Simulation (Spring 2022/2024)
- ENGR 1453/2453: Data Science: Statistical Learning, Modeling and Prediction


Polymers:


(choose 3 of the following courses, years indicate rotating classes and their tentative year)

Usually Fall Semester (years indicate rotating classes and their tentative year):

CHE 1754

Usually offered every semester:
CHEM 0310

CHEM 0320

Please note also the following:

  • MSE technical electives can include 2000-level (i.e., Masters-level), subject to the approval of the MSE Program Director.
  • Co-op students can earn three units for completing three co-op rotations and a written technical report on their co-op experience, which may be substituted for one of the technical electives.
  • Upper-level engineering courses from other engineering departments may be substituted for materials science and engineering technical electives, subject to the approval of the undergraduate director.
  • Technical electives are usually not offered during the summer term.
  • Students must complete the proper prerequisites before enrolling in any of the technical electives and should have acquired junior standing.

Students wishing to pursue other technical elective choices must obtain the approval of the MSE Program Director.


Engineering Elective

Students are required to complete one engineering elective course, for a total of at least 3 units. Any course offered by the Swanson School of Engineering may be used to satisfy this requirement (e.g., ENGR 0020: Probability & Statistics For Engineers or IE 1040: Engineering Economic Analysis). It does not have to be an upper-level course. In contrast, recall that only upper-level courses from other departments can be used as materials science and engineering technical electives. For students pursuing a minor from another department, one of the courses required for the minor can be used to fulfill this requirement.

Notes and Restrictions on Selecting Courses

  • Transfer students may be required to take ENGCMP 0200: Seminar in Composition. This does not count as one of the six required elective courses.
  • No more than two of the six required Humanities and Social Science elective courses can be satisfied via advanced standing credit from AP exam scores.
  • Courses that are cross-listed with other departments may be taken under either course number (e.g., ANTH 1524 is equivalent to HAA 1650) and may be used to satisfy the depth requirement in either department.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to use language courses to partially satisfy the humanities and social science elective requirements. Three out of five, or six out of ten first-year language course credits are acceptable toward fulfilling the humanities and social science elective requirements. However, the following restrictions apply:

           1. The language(s) must be other than English.

           2. The language(s) must be other than the student's mother tongue.

           3. The course(s) must be a bonafide language course.

No more than two of the six required elective courses can be satisfied by language courses.

  • Only an officially listed School of Arts and Sciences course may be used to fulfill a humanities and social science elective requirement. Courses from the College of General Studies (including External Studies courses), the College of Business Administration, and the School of Information Sciences cannot be used to fulfill the humanities and social science requirements.

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