Materials have been key to the solutions to many societal problems. Many of the barriers to widespread incorporation of alternate and renewable energy, from higher-capacity, more robust, less expensive batteries for energy storage, to high efficiency/low cost solar devices, involve the need for new materials. Materials will play an ever-increasing role in the area of health care. New medical devices, drug delivery systems, and synthetic biological tissue are just a few of the health-related applications in need of new materials for their success. In addition, materials challenges are front and center in the ever-evolving areas of electronic devices. Engineers and scientists with knowledge of materials science and engineering concepts are needed to address these and many more materials challenges.
Materials science and engineering is an interdisciplinary program with affiliated faculty from all engineering disciplines, as well as faculty from chemistry, and physics. Two undergraduate options involving materials science and engineering are available. Students pursuing a B.S. in engineering science may choose a program concentration in materials science and engineering. This option requires the student to take MSE 1500, 1500L, and 2500, and other materials science and engineering elective courses to complete their 27 hours of engineering program electives. Students pursuing a B.E. in an engineering discipline can earn a minor in materials science and engineering.