Course Information Suite

Materials Science and Engineering

Materials Science and Engineering
Head of Department: Ian M. Robertson
Department Office: 203 Materials Science and Engineering Building, 1304 West Green, Urbana, (217) 333-1441

Curriculum in Materials Science and Engineering

www.mse.uiuc.edu
Fax: (217) 333-2736

For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and 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. Seniors focus on application areas of MatSE (e.g., biomaterials, ceramics, metals, polymers, and electronic materials), which provide them with the detailed knowledge to be immediately useful to corporations or to provide an introduction to graduate study.

A combined B.S.-M.S. Materials Science and Engineering degree program is available. Its admission and course requirements are described in the College of Engineering program information section.

Areas of Concentration

The MatSE program provides five standard areas of concentration as well as the option to design unique programs of interest to the student. Students are encouraged to take technical electives outside of the department in related disciplines of interest to them and of relevance to their career goals.

  • Biomaterials: A relatively new focus area teaching the science and engineering of materials for use in biological applications, particularly in the human body. This concentration is based on basic and intermediate chemistry along with basic and intermediate biology concepts, with relatively less use of physics topics. This focus area includes a subset of the standard junior year courses and requires additional chemistry and biology in the junior year.
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  • Ceramics: Studies the science and engineering of ceramic materials, including alloy design, composites, synthesis, and processing methods. This concentration makes significant use of concepts from both basic physics and basic chemistry.
  • Electronic Materials: Describes the design and engineering of materials primarily for the microelectronics industries. Topics span the ceramics, metals, and polymers areas. Concepts from basic and intermediate physics are used along with basic chemistry.
  • Metals: Introduces the design and processing of metals and alloys to achieve desired properties. This concentration primarily uses concepts from basic and intermediate physics with relatively less emphasis on chemical concepts.
  • Polymers: Teaches the methods for molecular design to achieve desired properties in polymer molecules and polymer blends as well as processing methods. This concentration primarily uses concepts from basic and intermediate chemistry with relatively less emphasis on physics concepts.

Overview of Curricular Requirements

The curriculum requires 131 hours for graduation and is organized as follows.

Orientation and Professional Development

These courses introduce the opportunities and resources your college, department, and curriculum can offer you as you work to achieve your career goals. They also provide the skills to work effectively and successfully in the engineering profession.

Hours Requirements
0 ENG 100—Engineering Orientation1
(1) MSE 183—Freshman Materials Laboratory1,2
0 Total

1. External transfer students take ENG 300—Engrg Transfer Orientation instead.
2. This optional course is highly recommended and may be used to help meet free elective requirements.

Foundational Mathematics and Science

These courses stress the basic mathematical and scientific principles upon which the engineering discipline is based.

Hours Requirements
3 CHEM 102 - General Chemistry I
1 CHEM 103 - General Chemistry Lab I
3 CHEM 104 - General Chemistry II
1 CHEM 105 - General Chemistry Lab II
4 MATH 221 - Calculus I1
2 MATH 225 - Introductory Matrix Theory
3 MATH 231 - Calculus II
4 MATH 241 - Calculus III
3 MATH 285 - Intro Differential Equations
4 PHYS 211 - University Physics: Mechanics
4 PHYS 212 - University Physics: Elec & Mag
2 PHYS 214 - Univ Physics: Quantum Physics
34 Total

1. MATH 220 - Calculus may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.

Materials Science and Engineering Technical Core

These courses stress fundamental concepts and basic laboratory techniques that comprise the common intellectual understanding of materials science and engineering.

For All Concentrations
Hours Requirements
3 CS 101 - Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci
3 ECE 205 - Elec & Electronic Circuits
3 IE 300 - Analysis of Data
3 MSE 182 - Introduction to MatSE
3 MSE 201 - Phases and Phase Relations
4 MSE 206 - Mechanics for MatSE
3 MSE 307 - Materials Laboratory I
3 MSE 308 - Materials Laboratory II
1 MSE 395 - Materials Design
4 MSE 401 - Thermodynamics of Materials
3 MSE 402 - Kinetic Processes in Materials
3 MSE 406 - Thermal-Mech Behavior of Matls
36 Subtotal for all concentrations. See additional technical core requirements below.
For the Concentration in Biomaterials
Hours Requirements
3 CHEM 232 - Elementary Organic Chemistry I
4 MCB 150 - Molec & Cellular Basis of Life
3 MCB 450 - Introductory Biochemistry
3 MCB 252 - Cells, Tissues & Development
13 Subtotal
49 Total for the Concentration in Biomaterials
For the Concentrations in Ceramics, Electronic Materials, Metals, and Polymers
Hours Requirements
3 MSE 304 - Electronic Properties of Matls
3 MSE 403 - Synthesis of Materials or
CHEM 232 - Elementary Organic Chemistry I
3 MSE 405 - Microstructure Determination
9 Subtotal
45 Total for the Concentrations in Ceramics, Electronic Materials, Metals, and Polymers

Technical Electives

These courses stress the rigorous analysis and design principles practiced in the major subdisciplines of materials science and engineering embodied in the MatSE concentrations.

For the Concentration in Biomaterials
Hours Requirements
14 Area specialty courses selected from the list of area specialty courses established by the department.
6 Area specialty courses in a different area specialty; both must be from the same area.
20 Total
For the Concentrations in Ceramics, Electronic Materials, Metals, and Polymers
Hours Requirements
15 Area specialty courses selected from the list of area specialty courses established by the department.
3 Area specialty course from a different area.
6 Technical electives selected from the list of approved technical electives established by the department.
24 Total

Social Sciences and Humanities

The social sciences and humanities courses, as approved by the College of Engineering, ensure that students have exposure in breadth and depth to areas of intellectual activity that are essential to the general education of any college graduate.

Hours Requirements
18 Electives in social sciences and humanities approved by the College of Engineering and satisfying the campus general education requirements for social sciences and humanities, including cultural studies western and non-western.

Composition

These courses teach fundamentals of expository writing.

Hours Requirements
4 RHET 105 - Principles of Composition
  Advanced Composition (satisfied by completing the sequence MSE 307 and MSE 308 in the Materials Science and Engineering Technical Core )
4 Total

Free Electives

These unrestricted electives give the student the opportunity to explore any intellectual area of unique interest. This freedom plays a critical role in helping students to define research specialties or to complete minors.

Hours Requirements
6 Free electives. Additional unrestricted course work so that there are at least 131 credit hours earned toward the degree.

Area Specialty Courses

The courses listed below have been approved by the department to satisfy the 14-15 credit hour requirements in each of the five areas of technical concentration.

Hours Biomaterials Concentration
3 MSE 470—Design and Use of Biomaterials
3 MSE 472—Biomaterials Laboratory
3 MSE 473—Biomolecular Materials Science
5 Two area technical electives1

Hours Ceramics Concentration
3 MSE 420 - Ceramic Materials & Properties
3 MSE 421 - Ceramic Processing
3 MSE 422 - Electrical Ceramics
3 MSE 423 - Ceramic Processing Laboratory
3 Area technical elective1

Hours Electronic Materials Concentration
3 ECE 440 - Solid State Electronic Devices 
3 MSE 460 - Electronic Materials I
3 MSE 461 - Electronic Materials II
3 MSE 462 - Electronic Materials Lab
3 Area technical elective1

Hours Metals Concentration
3 MSE 440 - Mechanical Behavior of Metals
3 MSE 441 - Metals Processing
3 MSE 442 - Metals Laboratory
3 MSE 443 - Design of Engineering Alloys
3 Area technical elective1

Hours Polymers Concentration
3 MSE 450 - Polymer Science & Engineering
3 MSE 452 - Polymer Laboratory
3 MSE 453 - Plastics Engineering
6 Two area technical electives1

1. Selected from the departmental list of approved area technical electives for areas of concentration.

Summary of Topics Courses for Areas of Concentration

Each area of concentration requires at least one course covering each of the topics processing, design, and characterization (senior lab). For the five standard areas of concentration in the MatSE curriculum outlined above, the relevant courses are categorized in the following table.

Area of Concentration Processing Design Characterization (Senior Lab)
Biomaterials MSE 470* MSE 470* MSE 472
Ceramics MSE 421 MSE 422 MSE 423
Electronic Materials MSE 460 MSE 461 MSE 462
Metals MSE 441 MSE 443 MSE 442
Polymers MSE 453* MSE 453* MSE 452

* same course counts as both topics

Suggested Sequence

The schedule that follows is illustrative, showing the typical sequence in which courses would be taken by a student with no college course credit already earned and who intends to graduate in four years.  Each individual's case may vary, but the position of required named courses is generally indicative of the order in which they should be taken. The first two years of the Suggested Sequence is the same for all MatSE students. The third and fourth years vary with the Area of Concentration chosen. Refer to the appropriate third and fourth year sequence.

First year
Hours First Semester
3 CHEM 102 - General Chemistry I
1 CHEM 103 - General Chemistry Lab I
0 ENG 100 - Engineering Orientation
4 MATH 221 - Calculus I1
3 MSE 182 - Intro to Materials Sci and Eng
4-3 RHET 105 - Principles of Composition2 or
Elective in social sciences or humanities3
15-14 Total

Hours Second Semester
3 CHEM 104 - General Chemistry II
1 CHEM 105 - General Chemistry Lab II
2 MATH 225 - Introductory Matrix Theory
3 MATH 231 - Calculus II
(1) MSE 183 - Freshman Materials Laboratory4
4 PHYS 211 - University Physics: Mechanics
3-4 Elective in social sciences or humanities3 or
RHET 105 - Principles of Composition2
16-17 Total
Second year
Hours First Semester
3 CS 101 - Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci
4 MATH 241 - Calculus III
3 MSE 201 - Phases and Phase Relations
4 PHYS 212 - University Physics: Elec & Mag
3 Elective in social sciences or humanities3
17 Total

Hours Second Semester
3 ECE 205 - Elec & Electronic Circuits
3 MATH 285 - Intro Differential Equations
4 MSE 206 - Mechanics for MatSE
2 PHYS 214 - Univ Physics: Quantum Physics
3 Elective in social sciences or humanities3
15 Total

Concentrations in Ceramics, Electronic Materials, Metals, and Polymers

Third year
Hours First Semester
3 IE 300 - Analysis of Data
3 MSE 307 - Materials Laboratory I5
4 MSE 401 - Thermodynamics of Materials
3 MSE 406 - Thermal-Mech Behavior of Matls
3 Elective in social sciences or humanities3
16 Total

Hours Second Semester
3 MSE 304 - Electronic Properties of Matls
3 MSE 308 - Materials Laboratory II5
3 MSE 402 - Kinetic Processes in Materials
3 MSE 405 - Microstructure Determination
3 Area specialty course6
3 Free Elective
18 Total
Fourth year7
Hours First Semester
3 MSE 403 - Synthesis of Materials or
CHEM 232 - Elementary Organic Chemistry I
6 Area specialty courses6
3 Area specialty course in a different area 6
3 Technical elective8
3 Elective in social sciences or humanities3
18 Total

Hours Second Semester
1 MSE 395 - Materials Design
6 Area specialty courses6
3 Technical elective8
3 Elective in social sciences or humanities3
3 Free elective
16 Total

Concentration in Biomaterials

Third Year
Hours First Semester
3 CHEM 232—Elementary Organic Chemistry I
3 IE 300—Analysis of Data
3 MSE 307—Materials Laboratory I5
4 MSE 401—Thermodynamics of Materials
3 MSE 406—Thermal-Mech Behavior of Matls
16 Total

Hours Second Semester
4 MCB 150—Molec & Cellular Basis of Life
3 MCB 450—Introductory Biochemistry
3 MSE 308—Materials Laboratory II5
3 MSE 402—Kinetic Processes in Materials
3 Elective in social sciences or humanities3
16 Total
Fourth year 7
Hours First Semester
9 Area specialty courses6
3 Area specialty course in a different area6,9
3 Elective in social sciences or humanities3
3 Free Elective
18 Total

Hours Second Semester
3 MCB 252—Cells, Tissues & Development
1 MSE 395—Materials Design
5 Area specialty courses6
3 Area specialty course in a different area6,9
3 Elective in social sciences or humanities3
3 Free elective
18 Total

1. MATH 220 - Calculus may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.
2. RHET 105 may be taken in the first or second semester as authorized. The alternative is a social sciences or humanities elective.
3. Each student must satisfy the 18-hour social sciences and humanities requirements of the College of Engineering and the campus general education requirements for social sciences and humanities.
4. This course is highly recommended for freshmen, who may use it to help meet free elective requirements.
5. Satisfies the General Education Advanced Composition requirement.
6. To be selected from list of area specialty courses established by the department to provide an acceptable level of study in the student's chosen area of concentration.
7. Strongly recommended is incorporation of one or more of an internship, co-op position, and a research project during summers or an academic semester, or both.  For students who intend to continue in graduate school, recommended additionally is the undertaking of a research project (Senior Thesis) in the senior year. The project may take the place of 4-6 hours of free, technical, or area specialty electives.
8. Selected from the departmental list of approved technical electives.
9. Both area specialty courses in this category must be from one of the other MatSE areas of concentration.