Program Requirements
Materials scientists and engineers design, develop, and produce traditional and new advanced materials with diverse applications intended for use in a wide variety of industries. These include traditional materials-intensive industries such as structural clay, foundry, whiteware, polymers, plastics, fibers, textiles, composite materials, and automotive industries. Also included are high performance technology industries such as semiconductor, defense, biomaterials, aerospace, and communication industries. The broad career responsibilities of this discipline require competence in science, engineering, mathematics, and the social sciences. The curriculum develops skills in problem solving, engineering analysis, and design, as well as oral and written communication.
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering offers two areas of concentration within the Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science and Engineering. The Inorganic Materials Concentration provides for more in-depth study of the engineering and science of materials such as ceramics, glasses, metals, optical and electronic materials; while the Polymeric Materials Concentration provides more emphasis on plastics, elastomers, fibers and fibrous materials, films, coatings and adhesives. Students select either the Inorganic Materials Concentration or the Polymeric Materials Concentration at the beginning of their sophomore year. Both concentrations in Materials Science and Engineering integrate laboratory with classroom experiences to prepare students for life-long learning and exciting career opportunities. Courses covering thermodynamics, kinetics, mechanical behavior, processing, fabrication and characterization of materials prepare students for careers in industry and for graduate school.
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