Materials Science and Engineering (BS)
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering at NC State ¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ offers a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering degree. The program is accredited by theÌýEngineering Accreditation Commission of ´¡µþ·¡°Õ,Ìý.
Admission
Students complete the standard set of engineering first-year courses, which include courses in the humanities, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and computing. Students may apply to join the Department of Materials Science and Engineering as degree-seeking students via theÌý.Ìý
Curriculum
The MSE curriculum trains students to understand the wide range of phenomena that occur in all classes of materials: metals, polymers, composites, ceramics, and electronic materials.Ìý
Fundamental courses provide a foundation in thermodynamics, kinetics, and structure, followed by more applied courses that cover mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of materials.ÌýÌý
Two laboratory courses introduce students to analytical methods used to characterize the structure of materials at all length scales and to measure properties of all classes of materials. Cutting-edge technologies in materials science and engineering such as nanotechnology, biomaterials, computer modeling, and forensics (materials degradation and failure analysis) are covered.ÌýÌý
Five technical electives are included, which allow students to select from a broad range of courses in materials processing, engineering, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and other disciplines. The flexibility afforded by these technical electives allows students to customize their education to prepare them for careers in industry or for graduate school.
The two-semester capstone senior design sequence provides a bridge between concepts learned in the classroom and the practical application of these concepts in an industrial setting. Teams of students work on real-world materials problems supported by local industrial sponsors.
Opportunities
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering offers two undergraduate concentrations (Biomaterials and Nanomaterials) and an .Ìý
The ABM program gives students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in five years.ÌýFour graduate courses (12 credit hours) can be taken while still an undergraduate student and can be double-counted towards both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.Ìý
Contact Information
3002 Engineering Building 1 (EB1)
911 Partners Way, Raleigh NC 27695-7907
919.515.2377
To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the !
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Math | |||
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý141 | Calculus I | 4 | |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý241 | Calculus II | 4 | |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý242 | Calculus III | 4 | |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý341 | Applied Differential Equations I | 3 | |
| ³§°ÕÌý370 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 3 | |
| Sciences | |||
| °ä±áÌý101 &²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory | 4 | |
| °ä±áÌý201 &²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý202 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory | 4 | |
| °ä±áÌý220 | Introductory Organic Chemistry | 3 | |
| ´Ç°ùÌý°ä±áÌý221 | Organic Chemistry I | ||
| °ä±áÌý222 | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 | |
| ±Ê³ÛÌý205 &²¹³¾±è;Ìý±Ê³ÛÌý206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory | 4 | |
| ±Ê³ÛÌý208 &²¹³¾±è;Ìý±Ê³ÛÌý209 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | 4 | |
| Economics | |||
| ·¡°äÌý205 | Fundamentals of Economics | 3 | |
| ´Ç°ùÌý·¡°äÌý201 | Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| ´Ç°ùÌý´¡¸é·¡Ìý201 | Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| Required Courses | |||
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý201 | Structure and Properties of Engineering Materials | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý255 | Experimental Methods for Structural Analysis of Materials | 2 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý260 | Mathematical Methods for Materials Engineers | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý270 | Materials Science and Engineering Seminar | 1 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý300 | Structure of Materials at the Nanoscale | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý301 | Introduction to Thermodynamics of Materials | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý320 | Introduction to Defects in Solids | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý335 | Experimental Methods for Analysis of Material Properties | 2 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý355 | Electrical, Magnetic and Optical Properties of Materials | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý360 | Kinetic Processes in Materials | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý370 | Microstructure of Inorganic Materials | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý380 | Microstructure of Organic Materials | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý420 | Mechanical Properties of Materials | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý423 | Introduction to Materials Engineering Design | 1 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý470 | Materials Science and Engineering Senior Design Project | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý480 | Materials Forensics and Degradation | 3 | |
| MSE Processing ElectiveÌý(choose 1 course) | 3 | ||
| Engineering Elective (choose 1 course) | 3 | ||
| Technical Elective (choose 3 courses) | 9-11 | ||
| Ethics Elective (verify requirement) | 3 | ||
| Orientation Courses | |||
| ·¡Ìý101 | Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving | 1 | |
| ·¡Ìý115 | Introduction to Computing Environments | 1 | |
| Other | |||
| ·¡±·³ÒÌý331 | Communication for Engineering and Technology | 3 | |
| ´Ç°ùÌý·¡±·³ÒÌý333 | Communication for Science and Research | ||
| GEP Courses | |||
| ·¡±·³ÒÌý101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3-6 | ||
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | ||
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | ||
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | ||
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 3-5 | ||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | |||
| Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | |||
| Total Hours | 126 | ||
Technical Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any MSE Processing Elective | |||
| Any Engineering Elective | |||
| µþ°ä±áÌý451 | Principles of Biochemistry | 4 | |
| °ä±áÌý223 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 | |
| °ä±áÌý315 | Quantitative Analysis | 3 | |
| °ä±áÌý401 | Systematic Inorganic Chemistry I | 3 | |
| °ä±áÌý437 | Physical Chemistry for Engineers | 4 | |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý305 | Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices | 3 | |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý351 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematical Models | 3 | |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý401 | Applied Differential Equations II | 3 | |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý402 | Mathematics of Scientific Computing | 3 | |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý405 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 3 | |
| ²Ñ·¡´¡Ìý463 | Fluid Physics | 3 | |
| ±Ê³ÛÌý328 | Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics | 3 | |
| ±Ê³ÛÌý407 | Introduction to Modern Physics | 3 | |
| PY 411/511 | Mechanics I | 3 | |
| PY 412/512 | Mechanics II | 3 | |
| PY 414/514 | Electromagnetism I | 3 | |
| PY 415/515 | Electromagnetism II | 3 | |
| Other technical electives (with departmental approval). Contact your MSE academic advisor for options. | |||
| 500-level courses (with departmental approval). Available to students who are admitted to an engineering ABM program OR have a minimum 3.5 overall GPA. | |||
Engineering Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any MSE Processing Elective | |||
| °ä·¡Ìý214 | Engineering Mechanics-Statics | 3 | |
| °ä·¡Ìý225 | Mechanics of Solids | 3 | |
| °ä³§°äÌý110 | Computer Science Principles - The Beauty and Joy of Computing | 3 | |
| ·¡Ìý304 | Introduction to Nano Science and Technology | 3 | |
| ·¡°ä·¡Ìý331 | Principles of Electrical Engineering | 3 | |
| ±õ³§·¡Ìý311 | Engineering Economic Analysis | 3 | |
| ²Ñ´¡·¡Ìý206 | Engineering Statics | 3 | |
| ²Ñ´¡·¡Ìý208 | Engineering Dynamics | 3 | |
| ²Ñ´¡·¡Ìý214 | Solid Mechanics | 3 | |
| MSE 409/509/NEÌý409/509 | Nuclear Materials | 3 | |
| MSE 465/565 | Introduction to Nanomaterials | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý485 | Biomaterials | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý490 | Special Topics in Materials Engineering | 1-4 | |
| ±··¡Ìý202 | Radiation Sources, Interaction and Detection | 4 | |
| °Õ·¡Ìý205 | Analog and Digital Circuits | 4 | |
| °ä³§°äÌý113 | Introduction to Computing - MATLAB | 3 | |
| °ä³§°äÌý116 | Introduction to Computing - Java | 3 | |
| °ä³§°äÌý111 | Introduction to Computing: Python | 3 | |
| Other engineering electives (with departmental approval). Contact your MSE academic advisor for options. | |||
| 500-level courses (with departmental approval). Available to students who are admitted to an engineering ABM program OR have a minimum 3.5 overall GPA. | |||
MSE Processing Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý440 | Processing of Metallic Materials | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý445 | Ceramic Processing | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý455 | Polymer Technology and Engineering | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý456 | Composite Materials | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý460 | Microelectronic Materials | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý540 | Processing of Metallic Materials | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý545 | Ceramic Processing | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý556 | Composite Materials | 3 | |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý560 | Microelectronic Materials Science and Technology | 3 |
Ethics Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| ±õ¶Ù³§Ìý201 | Environmental Ethics | 3 | |
| ±Ê±á±õÌý214 | Issues in Business Ethics | 3 | |
| ±Ê±á±õÌý221 | Contemporary Moral Issues | 3 | |
| ±Ê±á±õÌý227 | Data Ethics | 3 | |
| ±Ê±á±õÌý325 | Bio-Medical Ethics | 3 | |
| ±Ê±á±õÌý375 | Ethics | 3 | |
| ³§°Õ³§Ìý302 | Contemporary Science, Technology and Human Values | 3 | |
| ³§°Õ³§Ìý304 | Ethical Dimensions of Progress | 3 | |
| ³§°Õ³§Ìý325 | Bio-Medical Ethics | 3 |
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| °ä±áÌý101 &²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| ·¡Ìý101 | Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 1,2 | 1 |
| ·¡Ìý115 | Introduction to Computing Environments 1,2 | 1 |
| ·¡±·³ÒÌý101 | Academic Writing and Research 1,2 | 4 |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý141 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| Select one of the following Economics courses: | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Economics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| Ìý | Hours | 17 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| °ä±áÌý201 &²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä±áÌý202 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý241 | Calculus II 1 | 4 |
| ±Ê³ÛÌý205 &²¹³¾±è;Ìý±Ê³ÛÌý206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| EÌý102 | Engineering in the 21st Century | 2 |
| Ìý | Hours | 15 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý201 | Structure and Properties of Engineering Materials 1 | 3 |
| ³§°ÕÌý370 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 3 |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý242 | Calculus III | 4 |
| ±Ê³ÛÌý208 &²¹³¾±è;Ìý±Ê³ÛÌý209 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | 4 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Ìý | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý255 | Experimental Methods for Structural Analysis of Materials | 2 |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý260 | Mathematical Methods for Materials Engineers | 3 |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý270 | Materials Science and Engineering Seminar | 1 |
| °ä±áÌý220 or °ä±áÌý221 | Introductory Organic Chemistry or Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| °ä±áÌý222 | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| ²Ñ´¡Ìý341 | Applied Differential Equations I | 3 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Ìý | Hours | 16 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý300 | Structure of Materials at the Nanoscale | 3 |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý301 | Introduction to Thermodynamics of Materials | 3 |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý320 | Introduction to Defects in Solids | 3 |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý335 | Experimental Methods for Analysis of Material Properties | 2 |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Ìý | Hours | 17 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý355 | Electrical, Magnetic and Optical Properties of Materials | 3 |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý360 | Kinetic Processes in Materials | 3 |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý370 | Microstructure of Inorganic Materials | 3 |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý380 | Microstructure of Organic Materials | 3 |
| Engineering Elective | 3 | |
| Ìý | Hours | 15 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý420 | Mechanical Properties of Materials | 3 |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý423 | Introduction to Materials Engineering Design | 1 |
| ·¡±·³ÒÌý331 or ·¡±·³ÒÌý333 | Communication for Engineering and Technology or Communication for Science and Research | 3 |
| MSE Processing Elective | 3 | |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Ìý | Hours | 16 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý470 | Materials Science and Engineering Senior Design Project | 3 |
| ²Ñ³§·¡Ìý480 | Materials Forensics and Degradation | 3 |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Ethics Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Ìý | Hours | 15 |
| Ìý | Total Hours | 126 |
Career Opportunities
An MSE degree is interdisciplinary and, upon graduation, will qualify you for a variety of jobs with an average starting salary of $60-70k per year.
Example Job Titles
Materials Engineer, Product Engineer, Metallurgist Engineer, Quality Control Engineer, Failure Analysis Engineer, Renewable Energy Materials Engineer, Biomaterial Engineer, Polymer Materials Engineer, Project Manager
Example Job Description
- Identify and produce a diverse range of materials for applications of interest
- Develop and improve methods for the analysis of complex materials
- Assist in the selection of materials for product application, the calculation of design parameters, the performance of material properties testing
- Apply scientific methods to resolve technical challenges related to materials and their use in products and processes