Materials Science and Engineering, BSE

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE)
Major: Materials Science and Engineering

Program Overview

The curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree with a major in Materials Science and Engineering includes the “Engineering Core”—basic courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering along with breadth electives—and the CWRU General Education requirements. To these are added courses in engineering materials, which also allow students to choose one of several areas of concentration within the major. A minimum of 128 credit hours is required.  

Throughout the undergraduate curriculum in Materials Science and Engineering, scientific fundamentals are integrated with coverage of current manufacturing, design, and applications of engineering materials.

The goal of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering is to prepare students for rewarding careers that provide creative, effective solutions to societal needs. The coursework and associated activities emphasize:

• The interrelationships among the processing, structure, properties, and performance of engineering materials
• The mutual reinforcement of education and professional development throughout one’s career

The undergraduate experience in Materials Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve is marked by a high degree of hands-on experience and many opportunities for professional development before graduation. Lab courses, senior projects, and plant tours ensure that every student sees the field first-hand in current research and industrial settings.

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree program with a major in Materials Science and Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Materials (1), Metallurgical (2), Ceramics (3), and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Program Educational Objectives

1. Graduates will be effectively involved in solving technical problems.
2. Graduates will assume leadership-track positions in materials science related industries.
3. Graduates may successfully enter and complete graduate and professional degree programs.
4. Graduates will take an active part in professional organizations.

Learning Outcomes

As preparation for achieving the above educational objectives, the Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree program with a major in Materials Science and Engineering is designed so that students attain:

• an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
• an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
• an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
• an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
• an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
• an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
• an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Co-op and Internship Programs

Opportunities are available for students to alternate studies with work in industry or government as a co-op student, which involves paid full-time employment over seven months (one semester and one summer). Students may work in one or two co-ops, beginning in the third year of study. Co-ops provide students the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in their field by completing a significant engineering project while receiving professional mentoring. During a co-op placement, students do not pay tuition but maintain their full-time student status while earning a salary. Alternatively or additionally, students may obtain employment as summer interns.

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Combined Bachelor's/Master's Programs

Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.

Students majoring in Materials Science and Engineering have six concentrations available to them, or the option to double major with Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Chemical Engineering.

• Materials Science and Engineering with Concentrations
  • ​Biomaterials Concentration
  • Electronic Materials Concentration
  • Materials Data Science Concentration
  • Polymers Concentration
  • Structural Materials and Mechanical Behavior Concentration
  • Advanced Materials Science and Engineering Concentration
• Materials Science and Engineering with a double major in Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering with a double major in Mechanical Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering with a double major in Chemical Engineering

Each option has a different set of required courses, which are presented in the tables below. The major provides students with both a foundational background in materials science and engineering and the flexibility to concentrate their studies in a well-defined area. To meet specific educational objectives, students may choose alternatives from among the suggested electives or design unique specialties. These options are flexible and subject to departmental guidelines and faculty approval. 

There are no electives in the curricula plans for double majors. The "choices" are prescribed so that students can successfully complete the degree requirements for a single B.S.E. degree with a double major in Materials Science and Engineering with Biomedical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering degrees within four years.

Required Courses

a

Courses in these sections vary based on concentration or double major.

b

Course waived for students completing a double major sequence.

c

This requirement is waived for students completing the Mechanical Engineering double major.

d

This requirement is waived for students completing the Biomedical Engineering double major.

e

This requirement is waived for students completing the Chemical Engineering double major.

Double Major in Materials Science and Engineering and Biomedical Engineering 

This double major is jointly administered by the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The double major educates and prepares undergraduate students for leadership roles in the application of Materials Engineering to solve challenges in Biomedical Engineering. Achievements that combine these engineering disciplines underpin the revolutionary advances in technology and medicine that define the modern standard of healthy living. See the Plan of Study tab for a sample curriculum plan, and the Biomedical Engineering, BSE page for the Biomedical Engineering major requirements.

Double Major in Materials Science and Engineering and Mechanical Engineering 

This double major is jointly administered by the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The double major educates and prepares undergraduate students for leadership roles in the application of Materials Engineering to solve challenges in Mechanical Engineering. Achievements that combine these engineering disciplines underpin the revolutionary advances in technology that define the industrialized economy. See the Plan of Study tab for a sample curriculum plan, and the Mechanical Engineering, BSE page for the Mechanical Engineering major requirements.

Double Major in Materials Science and Engineering and Chemical Engineering 

This double major is jointly administered by the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The double major educates and prepares undergraduate students for leadership roles in the application of Materials Engineering to solve challenges in Chemical Engineering. Achievements that combine these engineering disciplines underpin the revolutionary advances in technology that define the manufacturing of materials in all phases of matter: solids, liquids, and gasses. See the Plan of Study tab for a sample curriculum plan, and the Chemical Engineering, BSE page for the Chemical Engineering major requirements.

Concentration Requirements

The undergraduate program has six concentration sequences that expose students to greater depth in areas related to materials science and engineering and are based on an application or subfield of engineering materials.

Each concentration is a coherent set of courses that, in conjunction with one or more of the courses already required for all EMSE majors plus a specified mathematics/natural science/statistics course, will provide significant depth in an area of materials specialization. The Advanced Materials Science and Engineering sequence is designed in consultation with their advisors and subject to approval by the department’s Undergraduate Studies Committee.

The concentrations are below. All concentrations have 6 credit hours of EMAC courses and 12 credit hours of technical elective choices.

Biomaterials Concentration

Functional Materials Concentration

a

Courses can be any combination from the two listed categories.

Materials Data Science Concentration

Polymers Concentration^a

a

Completion of the Polymers Concentration satisfies the requirements for a minor in Polymer Science and Engineering.

Structural Materials and Mechanical Behavior Concentration

Advanced Materials Science and Engineering Concentration

Students may satisfy the concentration requirement by taking 15 credit hours of courses from engineering, math, statistics, or natural sciences departments (beyond those specifically required in the curriculum) at the 300 level or above, plus a course to satisfy the Mathematics/Natural Sciences/Statistics requirement in the Engineering Core. The courses are to be selected in consultation with the student’s advisor and will be subject to approval by the department’s Undergraduate Studies Committee. This option is appropriate for students who desire further study in topics relevant to materials science and engineering that are not represented in the specializations listed above.

Sample Plans of Study

The following are suggested programs of study. Current students should always consult their advisers and their individual graduation requirement plans as tracked in SIS.

Materials Science and Engineering Plan of Study

a

Unified General Education Requirement.

Double Major in Materials Science and Engineering and Biomedical Engineering Plan of Study

a

Unified General Education Requirement.

Double Major in Materials Science and Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Plan of Study

a

Unified General Education Requirement.

Double Major in Materials Science and Engineering and Chemical Engineering Plan of Study

a

Unified General Education Requirement.