Materials Science and Engineering

Materials science and engineering is the study of materials based on their composition and structure. Materials engineers gain an understanding of the properties of materials, and then manipulate them for a wide range of engineering applications. Students in the MSE department are able to tailor their undergraduate programs to a variety of specializations, including biomaterials, ceramics, electronic materials, manufacturing, metallurgy and polymers, or they can design their own specialization with the help of a faculty advisor.

Careers in Materials Science and Engineering

Examples of MSE applications include ensuring that materials used in automobiles can withstand the demands of a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty; developing low-weight, high-temperature ceramic tiles that protect the space shuttle during re-entry; and working with other engineers and scientists to design biomaterials used in the human body.

Recent statistics have shown that graduates are heavily recruited by both small and large companies for positions all over the United States and the world. These jobs include research, development, design of materials and structures, manufacturing, marketing, and many others. In addition, the average starting salaries have consistently been as high as or higher than those in most other engineering professions.

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Welding Engineering
Combined BS/MS in Materials Science and Engineering
Combined BS/MS in Welding Engineering
Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering
Master of Science in Welding Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science and Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy in Welding Engineering

Research

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering has extensive laboratory and research facilities, including:

• Center for Electron Microscopy and AnalysiS (CEMAS)
• Center for Integrative Materials Joining Science for Energy Applications (CIMJSEA)
• Center for Emergent Materials (CEM)
• Fontana Corrosion Center (FCC)
• Center for Accelerated Maturation of Materials (CAMM)
• Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center (NSEC)
• Center for Superconducting and Magnetic Materials (CSMM)

Faculty also are involved in many other interdisciplinary programs and research centers, including:

• Center for Advanced Polymer and Composite Engineering
• Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices
• Center for Occupational Health in Automotive Manufacturing
• Cognitive Systems Engineering Laboratory
• Institute for Materials Research