Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan provides a recommended schedule for a bachelor of science degree in Materials Science and Engineering at the University Park campus . This guide is a useful tool, but does not replace meeting with an academic adviser or the only path to a degree.
Curriculum
In the junior and senior years, students take specialized and in-depth courses within the department. While some courses are required for all MatSE students, the curriculum does allow for a large amount of flexibility.
The specialization courses are selected beginning in semester six. There are a total of eight courses and one senior processing laboratory. The Undergraduate Degree program in Materials Science and Engineering has been designed to allow our students to create an education that suits their individual interests and career goals.
Planning your Specialization Courses
A student may select any courses they desire to fulfill the specialization requirement as long as they meet the following criteria:
- 4 of the 8 courses must fit into the categories of Synthesis and Processing, Structure and Characterization, or Properties (below).
- There must be at least one course in each specialization category.
- 4 of the 8 courses must be MATSE courses.
Specialization categories and associated MatSE courses - detailed descriptions of the courses below can be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
Synthesis and Processing
- MATSE 411: Processing of Ceramics (Fall)
- MATSE 422: Thermochemical Processing (Spring)
- MATSE 425: Processing of Metals (Fall)
- MATSE 426: Aqueous Processing (Spring)
- MATSE 441: Polymeric Materials I (Fall)
- MATSE 447: Rheology and Processing of Polymers (Spring)
- MATSE 450: Synthesis and Processing of EPM (Fall)
- MATSE 475: Particulate Materials Processing (Spring, occasionally)
Structure and Characterization
- MATSE 409: Nuclear Materials (Spring)
- MATSE 410: Phase Relations in Materials Systems (Spring)
- MATSE 415: Introduction to Glass Science (Fall)
- MATSE 421: Electrochemical Materials (Fall)
- MATSE 427: Microstructure Design of Structural Materials (Spring)
- MATSE 429: Non Ferrous Metals (Fall)
- MATSE 440: Nondestructive Evaluation of Flaws (Fall)
- MATSE 445: Thermodynamics, Microstructure, & Characterization Of Polymers (Fall)
- MATSE 455: Properties and Characterization of EPM (Spring)
Properties
- MATSE 403: Biomaterials (Fall)
- MATSE 404: Surfaces and the Biological Response to Materials (Spring)
- MATSE 412: Thermal Properties of Materials (Spring)
- MATSE 417: Electric and Magnetic Properties (Spring)
- MATSE 429: Non Ferrous Metals (Fall)
- MATSE 435: Optical Properties of Materials (Spring)
- MATSE 446: Mechanical And Electrical Properties of Polymers and Composites (Fall)
- MATSE 455: Properties and Characterization of EPM (Spring)
Technical Electives
Technical electives, in general, should be 300 or 400-level engineering or science courses. A student pursuing a minor can use minor courses as technical electives. We will consider a course below the 300 level as long as said course is not introductory. For example, a student could select CHEM 212: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II, as a technical elective as this course is not at the introductory level and is building depth in a particular area. You must consult with your advisor and get authorization for ALL technical elective courses to ensure credits will be counted.
Specialization Course Exploration
We recommend that students work with their advisor to craft a course of study unique to the individual. Exploring minors is an excellent way to discover exciting courses. Use the Undergraduate Bulletin to begin the exploration of minors. Realize that you do not necessarily have to declare a minor to take courses offered in that minor. In order to facilitate that discussion with the advisor, we offer the following specialization course ideas to consider as guides (click the links for descriptions and additional information):
Common Core Substitutions
MatSE frequently performs the following course substitutions within LionPATH once a student has declared MATSE_BS:
