Materials Science and Engineering is widely recognized as one of the most promising technical fields of the 21st century.

Materials scientists and engineers specialize in the characterization, development, processing, and use of metallic, ceramic, polymeric, and electronic materials that are employed in all fields of technology.

Materials scientists and engineers are developing important new materials to meet the needs of our modern technological society. These include high-temperature superconductors; ultra-high-purity semiconductors for solid-state electronic devices; high-strength alloys for use at the extreme temperatures encountered in jet and rocket engines; strong, light alloys and composites for aerospace applications; specialized glasses and ceramics with high thermal, mechanical, and chemical stability, and a host of polymeric materials: some with unique functional characteristics and others which replace metal, glass, wood, and natural fibers in dozens of applications.

The future role of materials scientists and engineers promises to be even more important and challenging. It is widely recognized that the world is facing a critical energy shortage. Materials scientists and engineers are rising to this challenge in a variety of ways. One method is reducing the weight of automobiles and other transportation systems for fuel savings. They are also actively engaged in reducing the impact of modern society on our environment. They are at the forefront of recycling technologies and more energy-efficient ways of processing materials. New materials and processes are being developed to replace environmentally unfriendly ones currently in use. Sputtering or vapor deposition instead of plating, and biodegradable plastics are examples.

Materials science and engineering graduates are employed in research, development, and manufacturing. They support the creation of new materials and processes or the improvement of old ones with the aim of tailoring properties to applications. Often the work involves cooperating with mechanical, chemical, aeronautical, automotive and other types of engineers in selecting appropriate materials in the design of various devices; evaluating the performance of materials in service; and, particularly, determining the causes and cures for in-service failures; as well as various kinds of supervisory, research, teaching, and management activities. A tremendous range of materials science and engineering opportunities exists in metals, polymers, ceramics and electronic materials.

The undergraduate program in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan has been carefully designed to prepare students for the broad range of activities as described previously; or for continuing their academic work to acquire a master's or doctoral degree.

Introductory courses (either MSE 220 or MSE 250) and MSE 242, and a second-level course (MSE 350) provide a foundation of basic principles applicable to all classes of materials. Other courses include thermodynamics, transport phenomena and mechanical behavior.

Two required laboratory courses give our students a working knowledge of equipment used and methods practiced in the materials industry including processing that uses thermal, chemical, and mechanical methods; characterization using mechanical testing machines, microscopy and diffraction instruments; and analysis of experimental data using statistical and digital methods.

A required course in organic chemistry (Chem 210) may be used to satisfy the engineering chemistry requirement or the technical elective requirement. Introduction to Solid Mechanics (ME 211) is also required.

Students have an opportunity to tailor their program of study to their own interests. They choose three senior-level courses from a group of six. These courses cover electrical, magnetic or optical properties of materials, metals, polymers, ceramics, biomaterials, and materials characterization. They also choose one additional MSE course, plus 10 hours of technical electives and 12 hours of free electives.

All engineering students are required to take 16 credits of humanities or social sciences to broaden their education. One of the social science courses must be macro- or micro-economics (Econ 101 or 102).

Facilities

The facilities for the program in Materials Science and Engineering are housed primarily in the H. H. Dow Building. These include laboratories equipped for basic studies of the structures and properties of metals, polymers, ceramics and electronic materials; special-purpose laboratories for studies of crystal plasticity, high-temperature alloys, and structural composites; and instrument laboratories containing optical and electron microscopes, x-ray diffraction and spectroscopic apparatus, and precision mechanical-testing equipment.

In 2004 the L. H. Van Vlack Undergraduate Laboratory was opened. This facility has large, open spaces for team and group projects. It is equipped with instruments used in the characterization of materials. All undergraduate courses use this facility.

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone (410) 347-7700.