Bachelor of Materials Science & Engineering at University of California, Berkeley

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Materials Scientists and Engineers are involved in every aspect of technology, ranging from the design of materials appropriate for use in integrated circuits and biological applications to those materials needed for energy generation (both conventional energy sources and green sources) and for building bridges, roads, and buildings.

Upon graduation, students are prepared for a number of different careers paths. Many go on to graduate studies at prestigious universities. Others head directly into the workforce as engineers in Silicon Valley (e.g. Agilent and Applied Materials), the biotechnology sector (e.g. Genentech), and engineers in the Aerospace field (e.g. Boeing). 

The objectives of the undergraduate program in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) are to educate graduates who have the following skills:

• Knowledge of the fundamental science and engineering principles relevant to materials design, development and engineering application
• Understanding of the relationship between nano/microstructure, characterization, properties and processing and design of materials
• Have the experimental and computational skills for a professional career or graduate study in materials
• Possess a knowledge of the significance of research, the value of continued learning, and environmental/social issues surrounding materials
• Ability to communicate effectively, to work in teams, and to assume positions as leaders

This major program leads to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.

Admission to the Major

Prospective undergraduates to the College of Engineering will apply for admission to a specific program in the College. For further information, please see the College of Engineering's website.

Admission to Engineering via a Change of College application for current UC Berkeley students is highly unlikely and very competitive as there few, if any, spaces that open in the College each year to students admitted to other colleges at UC Berkeley. For further information regarding a Change of College to Engineering, please see the College's website.

Five-Year BS/MS Program

The five-year combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science program augments the existing four-year undergraduate program with a fifth year of graduate study that provides a professionally oriented component, preparing students for careers in engineering or engineering management within the business, government, and/or industrial sectors. In this program, students earn a bachelor's degree and subsequently, a Master of Science degree under Plan II (without thesis) of the Academic Senate. This five-year program emphasizes interdisciplinary study through an independent project coupled to coursework. The program is open to undergraduate materials science and engineering majors (both single or joint majors) only. For further information regarding this program, please see the department's website.

Minor Program

The department offers a minor in Materials Science and Engineering that is open to all students who are not majoring in MSE and who have completed the necessary prerequisites. To be eligible for the program, students are required to have a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 and a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite courses. For information regarding the prerequisites, please see the Minor Requirements tab on this page.

To apply for the minor, submit the Petition for Admission to the Undergraduate Minor to the undergraduate adviser after completion of the prerequisite courses. Upon completion of the minor requirements, submit a Petition for Completion of the Undergraduate Minor to the undergraduate adviser.

Joint Majors

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering also offers four joint majors, with other departments in the College of Engineering, and one joint major with a department in the College of Chemistry. For further information on these programs, please see the links below:
Chemical Engineering/Materials Science and Engineering (Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Chemistry)
Bioengineering/Materials Science and Engineering (Department of Bioengineering)
Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences/Materials Science and Engineering (Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences)
Materials Science and Engineering/Mechanical Engineering (Department of Mechanical Engineering)
Materials Science and Engineering/Nuclear Engineering (Department of Nuclear Engineering)

Visit Department Website

Measured Curricular Outcomes

The program is designed around a set of curricular outcomes. Specifically, upon completion of our ABET accredited program in Materials Science and Engineering, the graduate will possess the following skills:

1. 1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.

   2. 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.

   3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.

   4. 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.

   5. 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.

   6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.

   7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Educational Objectives for Graduates

Stated succinctly, graduates from the program will have the following skills: 

1. Use the fundamental science and engineering principles relevant to materials that include the relationships between nano/microstructure, characterization, properties, processing, performance and design of materials.
2. Use their knowledge of the significance of research, the value of continued learning and environmental/social issues surrounding materials.
3. Use the technical and communication skills developed in the program as a foundation for careers in engineering, research and development, the pursuit of advanced education and other professional careers.
4. Use lifelong learning skills to develop knowledge and skills, to pursue new areas of expertise and careers, and to take advantage of professional development opportunities.
5. Become leaders in their fields who will contribute to bettering society.