Materials Engineering
Overview
Materials engineering programs prepare people to design materials used in production.Materials engineering programs include topics such as:
- Synthesis of new industrial materials
- Bonding composites
- Material requirements and specifications
Schools
Community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in materials engineering. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. After earning an associate degree, students can transfer to a college or university for further study.
Very few colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in materials engineering. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four or five years of full-time study.
Very few universities offer graduate degrees in materials engineering. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering
- Ceramic Sciences and Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Composite Technology
- Computational Mathematics
- Engineering Physics
- Engineering Technology, General
- Engineering, General
- Laser and Optical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Physics
- Plastics Technology
- Polymer and Plastics Engineering
- Pre-Engineering
- Textile Sciences and Engineering
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
Other Careers Related to this Program of Study
- Biomedical Engineers
- Chemical Engineers
- Engineering Technicians
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Industrial Engineers
- Manufacturing Engineering Technologists
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Biology
- Calculus
- Chemistry
- Computer Science and Programming
- English Composition
- Physics
- Trigonometry
Graduate Admissions
Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree in engineering (or perhaps in chemistry), good grades, and good test scores.
Additional requirements at some schools include:
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
- Letters of recommendation
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Calculus
- Chemistry
- Dynamics
- Electrical, Magnetic, and Optical Properties of Materials
- Electronic Circuits
- Engineering Physics
- English Composition
- Introduction to Ceramics
- Introduction to Computer Science
- Linear Algebra
- Linear Differential Equations
- Materials Processing
- Polymer Processing
- Senior Design Project
- Statistics
- Strength of Materials
- Thermodynamics of Materials
Graduate Program Courses
A master's program typically includes the following:
- Required courses
- Thesis
Things to Know
Most engineering jobs require a lot of writing and clear communication. Taking writing and other humanities courses will develop your communication skills.
Some bachelor's programs combine work experience with classes, and may take five or six years to complete. This work experience teaches skills, helps build job contacts, and you may be paid while you work.
To become licensed by your state to work as an engineer, you must have a degree from an accredited engineering program. You also need several years of work experience and must pass an exam. Many people take the exam at the same time they graduate or soon after.
Schools
East Side Area
Big Bend Community College
- Pre-Engineering (Mechanical/Civil/Aeronautical/Industrial/Materials Science) Major Ready Pathway
Washington State University - Pullman
- Materials Science and Engineering
King-Snohomish Area
Cascadia College
- Associate in Science: Engineering Track Two--Mechanical, Civil, Aeronautical, Industrial & Material Science Engineering
Edmonds Community College
- Engineering Technology--Materials Science Technology
University of Washington - Seattle
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Materials Science--Nanoscience & Molecular Engineering Option
West Side Area
Lower Columbia College
- Engineering--Mechanical/Civil/Aeronautical/Industrial/Materials Science Pre-Engineering