Student Organizations and Professional Memberships
Numerous professional societies exist to serve the technical and professional needs of materials scientists and engineers.  The Department strongly encourages undergraduates to become active in the student and national chapters of a professional society early in their stay at Penn State.  Such participation dramatically enhances professional development, and offers a myriad of opportunities to build friendships and technical contacts, which are of utmost importance in one’s career, and to have fun!
The student-run chapters of professional societies are organized under the Material Advantage program run by the American Ceramic Society, ASM International, The Metallurgical Society (TMS), and the Association for Iron and Steel Technology (AIST). As members of the Material Advantage chapter, students receive membership in each of these professional societies, copies of their monthly technical publications, notification of upcoming technical meetings nation-wide, eligibility for academic and professional development scholarships, discounts on books and publications etc. More information can be found at www.materialadvantage.org. The department partially subsidizes the annual membership fee for undergraduates who are active in the Material Advantage chapter.
In addition to Material Advantage, there are several honorary and professional fraternities active within the Department: Keramos National Professional Ceramic Engineering Fraternity, Alpha Sigma Mu,and the Polymers club.
The student groups generally meet monthly, and are active in coordinating technical seminars, professional development activities such as poster sessions and speaking contests, coordinating travel and participation in national technical meetings, educational outreach, recruiting, and fun social activities.  
 
MatSE Lion Scouts
The MatSE Lion Scout program was created as an outreach initiative, focusing mainly on current Materials Science and Engineering Program students returning to their high school science or engineering classes to share basic information about the Materials Science and Engineering Undergraduate Studies Program.  Limited travel expense reimbursement is available for qualifying applicants.  Any student may apply for this program, as long as the following guidelines are met:

• Full time student status
• Currently majoring or working towards a major in Materials Science and   Engineering
• Have GPA of 2.5 or above
• Have a semester standing of 2 or higher

 
The Undergraduate Research Fellows (URF) in Materials Science and Engineering
The Undergraduate Research Fellows (URF) in Materials Science and Engineering was launched in 2006, creating an opportunity for undergraduate students to pursue research experiences with Materials Science and Engineering faculty. The program is designed specifically for undergraduate students in freshmen to junior standing. Upon acceptance to the program, the Undergraduate Research Fellow will be required to present the results of their research at the departmental poster competition in the spring. The advisor of the Undergraduate Research Fellow will receive financial support for the research project and travel costs to a professional meeting, if the research is presented.
 

Research and Experience
We believe strongly in providing opportunities and building a competitive package for our undergraduates.   Many of these opportunities are designed to prepare students for industry or graduate study while providing a deeper understanding of the academics as well as the professional fields which the students are pursuing.

• Join a research group– As early as freshman year, a student can take advantage of joining a research group, build your resume while possibly earning a little extra money.  Ask Maddie Boyer, in her freshmen year, her research group took her to China for the summer!

• Do an international internship– We have our own International Internship in Materials Program where qualifying students may travel abroad and do research with an international group. The goal of the International Internship in Materials program is to enrich the learning experience of undergraduate/graduate students by immersing them in an international research activity. Likewise, by providing reciprocal opportunities at Penn State for the undergraduate/graduate students from partner institutions, our students will benefit from international students’ perspectives and cultures. The students selected for the program will be offered research internships based on collaborations of Penn State Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE) faculty with faculty at partner institutions. Because the internships are highly structured research programs, students are able to use their research in support of technical electives and/or senior thesis; a requirement for all MatSE students.

• Accept an Internship/Co-op with partner companies– Materials Science and Engineering works closely with the College of Engineering and Eberly College of Science’s Coop Offices to provide our students with opportunities to explore the world of industry.  Develop your career skills and gain professional experience prior to graduation!