The Department of Materials Science and Engineering offers students an ABET accredited engineering degree that is designed to provide a broad understanding of materials as well as the fundamental techniques of science and engineering used in the discipline.
Students in materials science and engineering begin with a background in basic chemistry, mathematics, and physics - the foundation for broad-based materials properties, processing, and applications courses.  Commencing with the junior year, students take courses in Materials Science and Engineering, and specialized courses in one of several degree options.  The Materials Science and Engineering program prepares students in research and careers related to energy, electronics, biomaterials, nanotechnology, and medicine, just to name a few.
For a full description of the major's requirements see the Baccalaureate Degree Program Bulletin.
 
OPTIONS
The Materials Science and Engineering Program, with options in Ceramic Science and Engineering, Electronic and Photonic Materials, Metals Science and Engineering, Polymer Science and Engineering and specializations in Nanotechnology, Biomaterials, Electronics, Energy, Business, and Medicine.  Minors in Polymer Science and Electronic and Photonic Materials are also available. A vigorous graduate studies program complements the undergraduate programs. The strength of these programs, combined with a wide array of focused research centers at the University, contribute to the department being widely regarded as one of the finest and best-balanced materials departments in the United States.
 
CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS
The Materials Science and Engineering Program has partnered with several sectors of industry to enrich the learning experience of Materials undergraduate students through special programs.  The International Internship in Materials program is to enrich the learning experience of undergraduate/graduate students by immersing them in an international research activity, generously sponsored by the campus partnership programs from Bayer USA and ALCOA.  The collaboration with ArcelorMittal, generous supports professional organization memberships, travel grants, and individual undergraduate research fellowships.  These special partnerships have opened up many opportunities for our undergraduates to take advantage of and explore their possibilities. 
 
JOB PLACEMENT
Graduates with a bachelor of science (B.S.) in Materials Science and Engineering from Penn State are employed in all sectors of industry and in many national laboratories. Our graduates work for such noted companies as Owens Corning, United Technologies, Pratt and Whitney, Dow Chemical, 3M, Boeing, Cummins Diesel, ALCOA, Lockheed-Martin, IBM, Texas Instruments, ArcelorMittal, Bayer, Motorola, Polaroid, TRW, Westinghouse, Xerox, and many others.
 
AVERAGE SALARY
Starting salaries for materials engineers are competitive with other engineering disciplines. In 2012, Penn State graduates with a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering entered the industry with an average starting salary of $65,000.