Undergraduate Minor in Materials Science

Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is a field that couples basic and applied studies in physics, chemistry and mechanics on the atomistic and nanometer scales with macroscopic materials' properties. Materials science is frequently an important enabler for many other scientific and engineering disciplines. For instance, advances in performance for future subsonic and hypersonic aircraft require new materials with greater durability at high temperatures and high strength-to-weight ratios..

Advances in communication equipment with the introduction of fiber optic cables are brought about through the utilization of ceramic fibers which minimize attenuation of light signals and transmit much more information than is possible with electrically conducting wires. Thus, advances in materials science and engineering enable the development of new technologies across engineering most disciplines.

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Requirements:
A minimum of six MSE courses constitute an MSE minor.

1. You must have a minor advisor in MSE
2. The required courses are:

MSE 209 (F/S*) Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering

MSE 305 (F) Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Materials

MSE 306 (S) Structures and Defects of Materials

3. You must select at least three courses from the following list to complete a six-course minor:

MSE 301 (S) Corrosion, Batteries, and Fuel Cells

MSE 310 (S) Materials Science Investigations (Lab)

MSE 352 (S)** Aerospace Materials

MSE 367 (F) Materials for Electronic, Magnetic and Optical Applications

MSE 432 (S) Origins ofMechanical Behavior

MSE 455 (F) Nanoscale Science and Technology

MSE 492 (S) Introduction to Atomistic Simulations

CHE 449 (S) Polymer Chemistry and Engineering

BIOM 414 (F) Biomaterials

* (F) or (S) indicates normal semester Fall/Spring in which the course is offered.

**Also listed as MAE 352.

MSE is a research intensive discipline. Undergraduate students are encouraged to become involved in research through i) an independent study research project, MSE 452, ii) senior thesis projects, iii) and financially supported undergraduate research internships during the academic year or summer. MSE faculty members serve as advisors to your to research projects.

 

For more information, please contact:

Prof. Sean R. Agnew; MSE Minor Coordinator agnew@virginia.edu
Mr. Eric Newsome; Eng. Science administrative support ebn5g@virginia.edu