What is Materials Science and Engineering?
Materials Science and Engineering
(MSE) is a discipline that is on the
leading edge of technology through the
development of new materials and the
improvement of existing materials for
applications in all engineering fields. It is
at the forefront of modern technological
advances and its graduates are in great
demand.
Materials engineers can be found working in all technological fields, usually as part of a multidisciplinary team. For this reason, materials engineers receive a broad engineering education that includes design, mechanics, chemistry, physics, mathematics and electronics. The processing and testing of materials are core subjects in the MSE curriculum which stresses “hands-on” learning though laboratory classes that introduce students to modern processing and characterization techniques.
Modern engineering materials are used in a broad spectrum of products, including automobiles, aircraft and spacecraft, jet and rocket engines, surgical implants, computers, cell phones, optical displays, textiles, and sports equipment. The types of engineering materials include metals and alloys, polymers and plastics, ceramics, semiconductors, and composites.
The department has one of the lowest student-faculty ratios (about 4:1) in the College of Engineering. This allows MSE students to receive a great deal of individual interaction with the faculty, especially in laboratory courses.
The educational objectives of the
program for the degree of B.S. in Materials
Science and Engineering are:
• to provide students with a knowledge of the fundamentals of appropriate appropriate physical and chemical sciences, mathematics and engineering sciences; and to demonstrate the applications of these principles to solve engineering problems with emphases on materials processing, structure, properties and performance. This knowledge base includes the development of analytical and experimental skills.
• to provide students with experiences in design and materials selection such that they can design components, systems or processes with consideration of economic, safety, environmental and social issues.
• to develop professional skills in such areas as written and oral communications, problem solving and working in diverse teams, that prepare graduates to practice materials engineering in contemporary and global environments.
• to provide students with a general education component that complements the technical content, encourages the appreciation of cultural and social values, exhibits the impact of engineering solutions on society, and enhances personal development. The university’s engineering programs are fully accredited by the ABET Engineering Accreditation Program.
Highlights of Materials Science and Engineering
The MSE department has a large research program that receives about $6 million in research funding each year. This expansive research initiative provides opportunities for undergraduate students to work in areas of cutting-edge technology through paid part-time research assistantships.
Additionally, MSE faculty members frequently assist undergraduate students with finding summer industrial internships in the engineering field.
Students are encouraged to participate in materials-related professional societies such as the American Society for Materials and the Society of Plastics Engineers which hold several joint professional- student activities each year.