for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering
Materials science and engineering is the basis for all engineering. Improvements in the quality of life require knowledge of the processing and properties of current materials and the design, development and application of new materials. The Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE) curriculum provides an understanding of the underlying principles of synthesis and processing of materials and of the interrelationships between structure, properties, and processing. Students learn how to create advanced materials and systems required, e.g., for flexible electronic displays and photonics that will change communications technologies, for site specific drug delivery, for self-healing materials, for enabling the transition to a hydrogen-based economy, and for more efficient photovoltaics and nuclear systems for energy production. The curriculum uses concepts from both basic physics and chemistry and provides a detailed knowledge of what makes the materials we use every day behave as they do.
Students in the first two years take courses in general areas of science and engineering as well as courses introducing the concepts in MatSE. In the third year, students study the common, central issues related to MatSE. In the senior year, students focus on an area of MatSE of their greatest interest, providing them with the detailed knowledge to be immediately useful to corporations, become entrepreneurs, or to provide the underpinning knowledge for graduate study. Note: students interested in biomaterials take a specific set of courses to provide them with a background in biology and chemistry while maintaining a strong engineering focus.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering
Graduation Requirements
Minimum Overall GPA: 2.0
Minimum hours required for graduation: 128 hours
General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements including the campus general education language requirement. MSE 307 and MSE 308 will satisfy technical core requirements and the Campus General Education Advanced Composition requirement.
Orientation and Professional Development
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ENG 100 | Grainger Engineering Orientation Seminar (External transfer students take ENG 300.) | 1 |
| |
| Total Hours | 1 |
Foundational Mathematics and Science
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| CHEM 102 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 103 | General Chemistry Lab I | 1 |
| CHEM 104 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 105 | General Chemistry Lab II | 1 |
| MATH 221 | Calculus I (MATH 220 may be substituted. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus. 4 of 5 credit hours count towards degree.) | 4 |
| MATH 231 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MATH 241 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 257 | Linear Algebra with Computational Applications | 3 |
| MATH 285 | Intro Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 211 | University Physics: Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 212 | University Physics: Elec & Mag | 4 |
| PHYS 214 | Univ Physics: Quantum Physics | 2 |
| Total Hours | 35 |
Materials Science and Engineering Technical Core
For All Students
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| CS 101 | Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci | 3 |
| ECE 205 | Electrical and Electronic Circuits | 3 |
| MSE 182 | Introduction to MatSE | 2 |
| MSE 201 | Phases and Phase Relations | 3 |
| MSE 206 | Mechanics for MatSE | 4 |
| MSE 307 | Materials Laboratory I | 3 |
| MSE 308 | Materials Laboratory II | 3 |
| MSE 395 | Materials Design | 3 |
| MSE 401 | Thermodynamics of Materials | 3 |
| MSE 402 | Kinetic Processes in Materials | 3 |
| MSE 406 | Thermal-Mech Behavior of Matls | 3 |
| 33 |
For the Biomaterials Area
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| CHEM 232 | Elementary Organic Chemistry I | 3 or 4 |
| IE 300 | Analysis of Data (Students in the Biomaterials Area may substitute STAT 400 for IE 300 with permission from the department.) | 3 |
| MCB 150 | Molec & Cellular Basis of Life | 4 |
| MCB 450 | Introductory Biochemistry | 3 |
| MCB 252 | Cells, Tissues & Development | 3 |
| MSE 470 | Design and Use of Biomaterials | 3 |
For All Other Areas
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| IE 300 | Analysis of Data (The extra hour of credit for STAT 400 may be used to help meet free elective requirements.) | 3 |
| or STAT 400 | Statistics and Probability I |
| MSE 304 | Electronic Properties of Matls | 3 |
| MSE 405 | Microstructure Determination | 3 |
Technical Electives
For the Biomaterials Area
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| MSE 404 | Laboratory Studies in Materials Science and Engineering (Each section of MSE 404 is 1.5 hours. Students take 2 unique sections of MSE 404 for 3 hours.) | 3 |
| 5 |
| 6 |
| Total Hours | 14 |
For All Other Areas
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| MSE 404 | Laboratory Studies in Materials Science and Engineering (Each section of MSE 404 is 1.5 hours. Students take 4 unique sections of MSE 404 for 6 hours.) | 6 |
| 6 |
| 12 |
| Total Hours | 24 |
Topical Lectures
Free Electives
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 10 |
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering
Sample Sequence
The curriculum sequence below is a sample sequence, as all Grainger Engineering students work with a department academic advisor to achieve their educational goals, specific to their needs and preparation. The curriculum sequence can also be viewed via dynamic and static curricular maps (Biomaterials and All Other Areas), which include prerequisite sequencing.
General Education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements including the campus general education language requirement. MSE 307 and MSE 308 will satisfy technical core requirements and
the Campus General Education Advanced Composition requirement.
Free Electives:
| First Year |
|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
|---|
| MSE 182 | 2 | Recommended, optional 1 credit course, MSE 183 Introductory Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory. Credit hour counts toward Free Elective. | |
| MATH 221 (MATH 220 may be substituted. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus. 4 of 5 credit hours count towards degree.) | 4 | MATH 231 | 3 |
| CHEM 102 | 3 | CHEM 104 | 3 |
| CHEM 103 | 1 | CHEM 105 | 1 |
| ENG 100 (External transfer students take ENG 300.) | 1 | PHYS 211 | 4 |
| RHET 105 (if UIN is even) or General Education Elective (if UIN is odd) | 4-3 | General Education Elective (if UIN is even) or RHET 105 (if UIN is odd) | 3-4 |
| | CS 101 | 3 |
| | 15-14 | | 17-18 |
| Second Year |
|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
|---|
| MSE 201 | 3 | MSE 206 | 4 |
| MATH 241 | 4 | MATH 285 | 3 |
| MATH 257 | 3 | ECE 205 | 3 |
| PHYS 212 | 4 | PHYS 214 | 2 |
| General Education Elective | 3 | General Education Elective | 3 |
| | 17 | | 15 |
| Total Hours 64 |
Biomaterials Area
| Third Year |
|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
|---|
| MSE 307 | 3 | MSE 308 | 3 |
| MSE 401 | 3 | MSE 402 | 3 |
| MSE 406 | 3 | IE 300 (Students in the Biomaterials Area may substitute STAT 400 for IE 300 with permission from the department.) | 3 |
| MCB 150 | 4 | MCB 252 | 3 |
| CHEM 232 (Students who take CHEM 232 for 4 hours can count the extra hour as free elective.) | 3 | General Education Elective | 3 |
| | 16 | | 15 |
| Fourth Year |
|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
|---|
| MSE 470 | 3 | MSE 395 | 3 |
| Topical Lecture in Biomaterials Area | 2 | Topical Lecture in Biomaterials Area | 3 |
| Topical Lecture outside of Biomaterials Area | 3 | Topical Lecture outside of Biomaterials Area | 3 |
| MCB 450 | 3 | MSE 404 (Each section of MSE 404 is 1.5 hours. Students take 2 unique sections of MSE 404 for 3 hours.) | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 2 | Free Elective | 2 |
| | 16 | | 17 |
| Total Hours 64 |
All Other Areas
| Third Year |
|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
|---|
| MSE 307 | 3 | MSE 308 | 3 |
| MSE 401 | 3 | MSE 304 | 3 |
| MSE 406 | 3 | MSE 402 | 3 |
| IE 300 (or STAT 400. The extra hour from STAT 400 counts toward free elective.) | 3 | MSE 405 | 3 |
| General Education Elective | 3 | Topical Lecture (intro level suggested) | 3 |
| | Free Elective | 2 |
| | 15 | | 17 |
| Fourth Year |
|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
|---|
| MSE 404 (Each section of MSE 404 is 1.5 hours. Students take 2 unique sections of MSE 404 for 3 hours.) | 3 | MSE 404 (Each section of MSE 404 is 1.5 hours. Students take 2 unique sections of MSE 404 for 3 hours.) | 3 |
| Topical Lecture | 3 | MSE 395 | 3 |
| Topical Lecture | 3 | Topical Lecture | 3 |
| Technical Elective | 3 | Technical Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| | Free Elective | 2 |
| | 15 | | 17 |
| Total Hours 64 |
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
