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Department of Materials Science and Engineering
201 Materials Science and Engineering Building
1304 West Green Street
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-1441
Fax: (217) 333-2736
For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and
Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering teaches how to make the stuff from
which stuff is made. Students learn how to design advanced materials
ranging from better polymers for synthetic fabrics and ceramic-metal
composites for jet engines, to advanced ceramic thin films for microelectronics
and biocompatible materials for implants in the body. The curriculum
uses concepts from both basic physics and chemistry and provides a
detailed knowledge of what makes the materials we use every day respond
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.
The curriculum is designed to allow relatively easy transfer to and
from other engineering disciplines within the first two years. In
the third year, students study the central issues related to MatSE
in general. Seniors focus on application areas of MatSE, which provide
them with the detailed knowledge to be immediately useful to corporations
or to provide an introduction to graduate study.
This degree program is designed to be completed in eight semesters
of study with no advanced placement (AP or IB) credit. The MatSE degree
requires a minimum of 128 hours for graduation and is consistent with
the professional component described in the introduction for the college.
The program has been ABET accredited. Formal statements of the mission
of the department and the goals of the undergraduate program as well
as further details may be found at the department
website.
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.
- Ceramics: Students study the science and engineering
of ceramic materials, including alloy design, composites, synthesis,
and processing methods. This area 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 area
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 area primarily
uses concepts from basic and intermediate chemistry with relatively
less emphasis on physics concepts.
- Biomaterials: A new focus area teaching the
science and engineering of materials for use in biological applications,
particularly in the human body. This area uses a strong focus
on basic and intermediate chemistry along with basic and intermediate
biology concepts, with relatively little 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.
Educational Objectives
The educational objectives of the MatSE Department are
- To provide the foundation for entry-level industrial positions
in materials-related industries or advanced study programs through
in-depth instruction in both materials as a whole and in their
chosen concentration. An emphasis is placed on analysis, problem
solving, open-ended problems, and materials design methods.
- To develop teamwork, communication skills, and individual professionalism,
including ethics and environmental awareness.
- To encourage students to broaden their education in engineering
and science or expand their knowledge through student-selected
technical and free electives and cooperative engineering education,
internship, and study abroad programs.
- To teach students to learn and grow as individuals, contribute
to society, and to develop life-long learning and leadership skills.
Educational Outcomes
It is expected that the graduates will have an ability to
- apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to
materials topics,
- formulate engineering and science problems and develop practical
solutions, hypotheses, and experimental methods,
- design materials products, components, and processes,
- design, conduct, analyze, and interpret results of experiments,
- work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and provide leadership,
- achieve effective oral, graphic, and written communication,
- understand the impact of science engineering decisions in a
global, societal, economic, and environmental context,
- understand professional and ethical responsibility,
- recognize the value of and carry out life-long learning,
- understand contemporary issues and contribute effectively,
- use the techniques, skills, and modern tools necessary for
materials engineering and science practice,
- make a responsible contribution to society,
- be familiar with chemistry, physics, and advanced mathematics.
Working in MatSE
MatSE graduates work with engineers across the spectrum of design
and manufacturing. They design the materials that make the technologies
we rely on work better. Our graduates work as part of teams designing
high-technology devices. They move on to management. They get advanced
degrees and work as teachers and bench scientists.
Job Opportunities
Because advanced materials pervade all aspects of our society, MatSE
students are found working in all areas. MatSE graduates work for
all types of engineering and technology companies, ranging from small
businesses to huge corporations. Starting salaries are among the highest
in engineering. MatSE graduates work for microelectronics companies;
automotive, aircraft, space, and other vehicle manufacturers; chemical,
metal, glass, and other materials manufacturing industries; and many
others. All companies that manufacture mechanical, electronic, or
other devices can benefit from staff members with a strong understanding
of materials. MatSE students also go on to graduate school in science,
engineering, medicine, and business.
Concentrations in Ceramics, Electronic Materials, Metals, and Polymers
Suggested Sequence
First year
| Hours |
First Semester |
| 3 |
CHEM 102—General
Chemistry I |
| 1 |
CHEM 103—General
Chemistry Lab I |
| 0 |
ENG 100—Engineering
Lecture |
| 5 |
MATH 220—Calculus
I |
| 3 |
MSE 182—Intro
to Materials Sci and Eng |
| 4-3 |
RHET 105—Principles
of Composition1 or elective
in social sciences or humanities2 |
| 16-15 |
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 230—Calculus
II |
| (1) |
MSE 100—Materials
Lecture3 |
| 4 |
PHYS 211—Univ
Physics, Mechanics |
| 3-4 |
Elective
in social sciences or humanities2
or RHET 105—Principles of Composition1 |
| 17-18 |
Total |
Second year
| Hours |
First Semester |
| 3 |
CS 101—Intro
to Computing, Eng & Sci |
| 3 |
MATH 242—Calculus
of Several Variables |
| 3 |
MSE 201—Phases
and Phase Relations |
| 4 |
PHYS 212—Univ
Physics, Elec & Mag |
| 3 |
Elective
in social sciences or humanities2 |
| 16 |
Total |
| Hours |
Second Semester |
| 3 |
ECE 205—Intro
Elec & Electr Circuits |
| 3 |
MATH 385—Intro
Differential Equations |
| 2 |
PHYS 214—Univ
Physics, Quantum Phys |
| 4 |
TAM 206—Mechanics
for MatSE |
| 3 |
Elective
in social sciences or humanities2 |
| 15 |
Total |
Third year
| Hours |
First Semester |
| 3 |
IE 300—Analysis of Data |
| 3 |
MSE 307—Materials Laboratory,
I4 |
| 4 |
MSE 401/CHEM 484—Thermodynamics
of Materials |
| 3 |
MSE 403—Synthesis of Materials, or
CHEM 232—Elementary Organic Chemistry I |
| 3 |
MSE 405—Microstructure Determination |
| 16 |
Total |
| Hours |
Second Semester |
| 3 |
MSE 304—Electronic Properties
of Matls |
| 3 |
MSE 308—Materials Laboratory,
II4 |
| 3 |
MSE 402—Kinetic Processes in
Materials |
| 3 |
MSE 406—Thermal-Mech Behavior
Matls |
| 3 |
Area specialty course5 |
| 3 |
Elective in social sciences or humanities2 |
| 18 |
Total |
Fourth year6
| Hours |
First Semester |
| 6 |
Area
specialty courses5 |
| 3 |
Technical
elective7 |
| 3 |
Elective
in social sciences or humanities2 |
| 3 |
Free elective |
| 15 |
Total |
| Hours |
Second Semester |
| 1 |
MSE 395—Materials
Design |
| 6 |
Area
specialty courses5 |
| 3 |
Technical
elective7 |
| 3 |
Elective
in social sciences or humanities2 |
| 3 |
Free elective |
| 16 |
Total |
Area Specialty Courses
The courses listed below have been approved by the department to satisfy
the 15 credit hour requirements in each of the four areas of technical concentration.
| Hours |
Ceramics
Concentration |
| 3 |
MSE 420—Ceramic Matls and Properties |
| 3 |
MSE 421—Cer Proc & Microstruc Devel |
| 3 |
MSE 423—Ceramic Processing Laboratory |
| 3 |
MSE 422—Electrical Ceramics |
| 3 |
Area technical elective1 |
| Hours |
Electronic
Materials Concentration |
| 3 |
ECE 440—Solid State Electronic Devices |
| 3 |
MSE 460—Electronic Matis & Proc, I |
| 3 |
MSE 461—Electronic Matis & Proc, II |
| 3 |
MSE 462—Electronic Materials Lab |
| 3 |
Area technical elective1 |
| Hours |
Metals
Concentration |
| 3 |
MSE
440—Adv Mechanical Prop of Solids |
| 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—Intro to Polymer Sci and Eng |
| 3 |
MSE 452—Polymer Laboratory |
| 3 |
MSE 453—Plastics Engineering |
| 6 |
Area technical electives1 |
Concentration in Biomaterials
Suggested Sequence
First and second years are the same as in the Suggested Sequence for Concentrations in Ceramics, Electronic Materials, Metals, and Polymers.
Third Year
| Hours |
First Semester |
| 3 |
CHEM 232—Elementary Organic Chemistry I |
| 3 |
IE 300—Analysis of Data |
| 3 |
MSE 307—Materials Laboratory I4 |
| 4 |
MSE 401/CHEM 484—Thermodynamics of Materials |
| 3 |
Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 16 |
Total |
| Hours |
Second Semester |
| 3+(1)5 |
MCB 150—Molec & Cellular Basis of Life |
| 3 |
MCB 450—Introductory Biochemistry |
| 3 |
MSE 308—Materials Laboratory II4 |
| 3 |
MSE 402—Kinetic Processes in Materials |
| 3 |
MSE 406—Thermal-Mech Behavior Matls |
| 15 |
Total |
Fourth year
| Hours |
First Semester |
| 3 |
MSE 470—Design and Use of Biomaterials |
| 1 |
MSE 472—Biomaterials Laboratory |
| 3 |
Elective in MatSE6 |
| 3 |
Area Technical Elective7 |
| 3 |
Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 3 |
Free elective |
| 16 |
Total |
| Hours |
Second Semester |
| 3 |
MCB 252—Cells, Tissues & Development |
| 1 |
MSE 395—Materials Design |
| 3 |
MSE 473—Biomolecular Materials Science |
| 3 |
Elective in MatSE6 |
| 2 |
Area Technical Elective7 |
| 3 |
Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 3 |
Free elective |
| 18 |
Total |
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 Specialty |
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 |
Customized Areas of Concentration
Students wishing to pursue areas of concentration other than those described above should consult with the chief advisor of the MatSE department. In fashioning a customized area of concentration, it must total 15 credit hours and there must be a course identified for each of the topic categories in the table immediately above. The others may be suitable electives pertaining to the area of concentration. Customized areas of concentration require the approval of the department.
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