Materials Science and Engineering

undergraduate program

Materials science and engineering is concerned with the fundamental relationships between the structure and processing of materials and their properties. Materials engineers apply the principles of chemistry and physics to research, create and produce highly-developed materials used in advanced technologies. They create or select the best material and develop processing techniques to improve its properties, reliability and value.

From cellular phones to artificial hip implants and high-performance bike frames, materials scientists and engineers work to develop products that improve quality of life. By optimizing performance, reducing costs and developing new metals, plastics, ceramics, semiconductors and composites, they bring advances to the automobile, aerospace, construction, manufacturing, electronics, computer and telecommunications industries.

These engineers use highly sophisticated analytical and processing equipment to replicate the characteristics of materials and their components, developing the ability to create and then study findings at an atomic level. Their responsibilities may also include evaluating data on field-tested materials to determine the effects of the environment on materials performance.

Materials science and engineering, B.S.E.: undergraduate programs in materials sciences and engineering provide students with knowledge and training necessary to optimally use existing materials and develop and produce new ones, from cellular phones to artificial hip implants to high-performance bike frames. Major map (PDF)

Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone: (410) 347-7700.

School of Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical and Materials Engineering >