Curriculum in Materials Science and Engineering
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 Matls |
| 3 | MSE 406—Thermal-Mech Behavior Materials |
| 3 | Elective in social sciences or humanities2 |
| 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 405—Microstructure Determination |
| 3 | Area specialty course5 |
| 18 | Total |
Fourth year6
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | MSE 403—Synthesis of Materials, or CHEM 232—Elementary Organic Chemistry I |
| 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 |
1. RHET 105 may be taken in the first or second semester as authorized. The alternative is a social science or humanities elective.
2. 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.
3. This course is highly recommended for freshmen, who may use it to help meet free elective requirements.
4. Satisfies the General Education Advanced Composition requirement.
5. To be selected from the list of area specialty courses as established by the department to provide an acceptable level of study in the student's chosen area of concentration.
6. It is recommended that students who intend to continue in graduate school undertake a research project in the senior year. The project may take the place of 4-6 hours of free, technical, or area technical (specialty) electives.
7. Selected from the departmental list of approved technical electives.
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 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 Matls & Proc, I |
| 3 | MSE 461—Electronic Matls & 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 |
1. Selected from the departmental list of approved technical electives for areas of concentration.
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 | MSE 406—Thermal-Mech Behavior Matls |
| 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 | Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 15 | Total |
Fourth year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | MSE 470—Design and Use of Biomaterials |
| 3 | Elective in MatSE6 |
| 5 | Area Technical Elective7 |
| 3 | Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 3 | Free elective |
| 17 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | MCB 252—Cells, Tissues & Development |
| 1 | MSE 395—Materials Design |
| 1 | MSE 472—Biomaterials Laboratory |
| 3 | MSE 473—Biomolecular Materials Science |
| 3 | Elective in MatSE6 |
| 3 | Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 3 | Free elective |
| 17 | Total |
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. Satisfies the General Education Advanced Composition requirement.
5. Three credit hours count toward fulfilling the biomaterials concentration requirement. The fourth hour may be used to help meet free elective requirements.
6. Both electives in MatSE must be area specialty courses from one of the other MatSE areas of concentration.
7. Selected from the departmental list of approved 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 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 |
*same course counts as both topics
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.