Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Gregory S. Rohrer, Head Office: Wean Hall 3327http://materials.cmu.edu
Essentially every technology depends on materials development and innovation. Novel technologies are often initiated based on materials innovations, while conventional technologies rely on materials development to either reduce production cost or respond to mandates of the marketplace. The overarching paradigm of materials science and engineering is to exploit the connection between processing, atomic structure and microstructure and the properties of a material in order to choose a material that will fit the performance criteria for a given application. Thus, in Materials Science and Engineering, one must develop: (1) an understanding of current materials and their applications; (2) an ability to further improve current materials; and, (3) an ability to understand the potential applications of new materials, as they are developed. In addition to this product specific knowledge, a Materials Engineer must understand the implications of Materials processing routes on the environment and energy resources and must be involved in life cycle analysis to ensure that the material can be properly produced, used and recycled in a sustainable manner.
Materials Science & Engineering is therefore the discipline that applies the tools of basic and applied science to the processing, manufacture and application of materials and devices. Graduates of the MSE department are pursuing careers in an expanding spectrum of companies, national laboratories, and universities. Their activities cover a wide range of materials related endeavors that include microelectronics, energy production and storage, biomedical, biotechnology, aerospace, information technology, nanotechnology, manufacturing and materials production. Our undergraduates are encouraged to participate in the current research programs of the faculty and a majority of our students conduct undergraduate research projects as part of their program.
Materials subjects fall into three broad areas: (1) materials characterization, (2) the synthesis and processing of materials in order to obtain desired properties, and (3) the ability to understand and predict the behavior of materials under diverse conditions. Due to the need to understand materials micro-structure, chemistry and properties, students in Materials Engineering learn techniques of materials characterization in the digital microscopy classroom (http://materials.cmu.edu/degraef/MCL.shtml) in the J. Earl and Mary Roberts Materials Characterization Laboratory, a state of the art facility for materials characterization within the department.
Materials Science and Engineering is the overarching term describing specific interests in metals, polymers, ceramics, composites and electronic materials. It has become increasingly clear that the properties of all these types of materials are related fundamentally through parameters that describe internal structure. Furthermore, it has been found that the equipment and instrumentation, as well as the theoretical and analytical tools, which are necessary to process, study and understand one type of material are often well suited for others. Thus a common set of tools and understanding has been developed that applies to the complete spectrum of materials types, including ceramics, polymers, metals, semiconductors and composites, etc.
The standard curriculum of the department provides fundamental training for all of materials science and engineering areas (http://materials.cmu.edu/ugrad/std_fresh.html). The core courses provide understanding and tools for working with the (atomic) structure of materials and the defects (dislocations, interfaces etc.) that largely govern their properties, the thermodynamic relationships that govern the stability of materials, and the rates at which changes take place in materials. The paradigm of materials science is that one must understand the internal or surface structure of materials in order to predict and engineer their properties: this is addressed in the core courses on “Micro-structure & Properties” and “Selection & Performance” of materials. There is also a capstone design experience in the final year that is aimed at integration of knowledge and team skill development. The elective program allows the attainment of excellence in a student's chosen specialty, whether it is ceramics, semiconductors, metals, composites, magnetic or optical materials, bio-materials or polymers. The option of concentration in the one or more of the areas of electronic materials*, engineering design*, biomedical engineering*, environmental engineering*, manufacturing engineering*, mechanical behavior of materials*, biomedical and health engineering**, and engineering and public policy**, is available. (*= Designated Minor, **= Double Major). In addition, a number of elective tracks have been developed to aid the student in choosing various courses of specialization in the electives.
Based on the broad range of destinations for graduates of the MSE program, our curriculum is designed to provide a strong foundation in fundamental knowledge and skills. This provides an excellent basis for the substantial fraction of our graduates who go on to graduate school. For the equally substantial fraction of our graduates who find employment in industry, the program provides the foundation on which a graduate can build his/her domain specific knowledge. For those individuals who move on to other areas, the MSE curriculum provides a modern liberal education, i.e. one that inculcates a thoughtful, problem-solving approach to professional life. It is thus the goal of our education to provide a general education in Materials Science and Engineering that will enable our graduates to easily switch between materials industries as their career develops or to go to any of the leading institutions of graduate education in Materials and be successful.
Educational Objectives
The faculty of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, in consultation with students, alumni and other interested parties, has decided that the overarching objective of the MSE curriculum is to provide an education that enables our graduates to be productive and fulfilled professionals throughout their careers.
Specifically, our program will produce graduates who:
- are successful in a top graduate school and/or in materials science & engineering positions;
- excel in professionalism and leadership in modern interdisciplinary materials engineering practice, while accounting for the impact of their profession on an evolving society;
- creatively advance our collective understanding of the principles of materials science and engineering and/or innovate the design of technological systems;
- contribute effectively as an individual, team member, and/or a leader to achieve personal, group and institutional goals.
Based on these objectives, our program is focused to allow our students to be successful regardless of their future career choice.
Outcome Definitions for MSE
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering has the following program outcomes that apply to current students; these outcomes will allow our students to be successful in any career choice and achieve the long term objectives of our department.
MSE Outcome A:
An ability to apply a knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, materials and statistics to identify, formulate and solve the problems encountered in the production or application of a material.
MSE Outcome B:
An ability to apply core concepts in materials science (structure, properties, processing and performance) to identify, formulate and solve contemporary materials engineering problems.
MSE Outcome C:
An ability to communicate effectively.
MSE Outcome D:
An ability to design and conduct experiments and to analyze and interpret the data derived from these experiments with an emphasis on relating properties and processing to structure and on relating structure and properties to materials performance.
MSE Outcome E:
An ability to select materials to meet relevant performance criteria during the design of engineered systems and components within realistic constraints.
MSE Outcome F:
An ability to function responsibly and ethically in a professional, multidisciplinary environment as an individual or as a member of a team.
MSE Outcome G:
An ability to employ the techniques, skills and tools of modern materials engineering practice.
MSE Outcome H:
A recognition of the need for lifelong scholarship as the field of materials is continually evolving as new knowledge and materials are developed.
MSE Outcome I:
A knowledge of contemporary issues in the application of materials.
MSE Outcome J:
The broad education necessary to understand the impact of materials engineering solutions in a global and societal context.
Industrial Intern Program
An industrial internship option (IIO - cooperative educational program) within the department offers an MSE student an opportunity to obtain valuable experience and insight from alternating periods in industry and on campus (beginning the spring after the sophomore year). The combination of learning while participating in an industrial environment with academic course work creates strongly motivated students and a personalized learning situation. Graduation with a B.S. degree occurs four and one-third calendar years after entering the university. Exceptionally able students may be admitted to a program leading to both the B.S. and M.S. degrees in five years. Students in the IIO program should consult with their faculty advisors before electing to participate in any of the designated minor programs.
Following the standard or industrial internship programs the graduate of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering is well prepared for leadership in our highly technological society which continues to demand more and more from the materials used in engineered systems. Many of our graduates elect to continue their education to the Master's and Doctoral Level in order to satisfy their need for advanced education in the discipline.
Standard Program
Freshman Year
| Fall | Units | |
| 21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | 10 |
| 33-106 | Physics I for Engineering Students (#) | 12 |
| 27-100 | Engineering the Materials of the Future * | 12 |
| xx-xxx | H&SS Elective[1] | 9 |
| 43 | ||
| Spring | Units | |
| 21-122 | Integration, Differential Equations and Approximation | 10 |
| 15-110 | Principles of Computing | 10 |
| or | 15-121 Introduction to Data Structures (10 units) | |
| xx-xxx | Introductory Engineering Elective | 12 |
| xx-xxx | H&SS Elective [2] | 9 |
| 99-10x | Computing @ Carnegie Mellon | 3 |
| 44 | ||
Sophomore Year
| Fall | Units | |
| 21-259 | Calculus in Three Dimensions | 9 |
| 21-126 | Introduction to Mathematical Software | 3 |
| 33-107 | Physics II for Engineering Students ** | 12 |
| 27-299 | Professional Development I | 1 |
| 27-215 | Thermodynamics of Materials | 12 |
| 27-201 | Structure of Materials | 9 |
| 27-202 | Defects in Materials | 9 |
| 55 | ||
| Spring | Units | |
| 21-260 | Differential Equations | 9 |
| 09-105 | Introduction to Modern Chemistry I ** | 10 |
| 09-101 | Introduction to Experimental Chemistry ** | 3 |
| xx-xxx | H&SS Elective [3] | 9 |
| 27-216 | Transport in Materials | 9 |
| 27-217 | Phase Relations and Diagrams | 12 |
| 27-205 | Introduction to Materials Characterization | 3 |
| 55 | ||
Junior Year
| Fall | Units | |
| xx-xxx | Free Elective [1] | 9 |
| 33-225 | Quantum Physics and Structure of Matter | 9 |
| or | 09-217 Organic Chemistry I (9 units) | |
| or | 03-121 Modern Biology (9 units) | |
| xx-xxx | H&SS Elective [4] | 9 |
| 27-399 | Professional Development II | 1 |
| 27-xxx | MSE Restricted Elective [1] | 9 |
| 27-301 | Microstructure and Properties I | 9 |
| 46 | ||
| Spring | Units | |
| xx-xxx | Free Elective [2] | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Free Elective [3] | 9 |
| 36-220 | Engineering Statistics and Quality Control | 9 |
| xx-xxx | H&SS Elective [5] | 9 |
| 27-xxx | MSE Restricted Elective [2] | 9 |
| 27-367 | Selection and Performance of Materials | 6 |
| 51 | ||
Senior Year
| Fall | Units | |
| xx-xxx | Free Elective [4] | 9 |
| xx-xxx | H&SS Elective [6] | 9 |
| xx-xxx | H&SS Elective [7] | 9 |
| 27-499 | Professional Development III | 1 |
| 27-xxx | MSE Restricted Elective [3] | 9 |
| 27-401 | MSE Capstone Course I | 12 |
| 49 | ||
| Spring | Units | |
| xx-xxx | Free Elective [5] | 9 |
| xx-xxx | H&SS Elective [8] | 9 |
| 27-xxx | MSE Restricted Elective [4] | 9 |
| 27-xxx | MSE Restricted Elective [5] | 9 |
| 36 | ||
379Minimum number of units required for degree:
* The Materials in Engineering course 27-100 may also be taken in the spring semester, and must be taken before the end of the sophomore year (the H&SS Elective in the Sophomore Spring may be moved to later in the program to accommodate the 27-100 course).
** These courses must be taken before the end of the sophomore year, but need not be taken in the same order or semester as listed above.
# The recommended sequence is 33-106 / 33-107 for Engineering students. However, 33-111 / 33-112 or 33-131 / 33-132 will also meet the CIT Physics requirement.
Notes on the Curriculum
Quality Point Average
In addition to the College requirement of a minimum cumulative quality point average of 2.00 for all courses taken beyond the freshman year, the Department requires a quality point average of 2.00 or higher in courses taken in the MSE department. Students may repeat a course to achieve the QPA requirement. Only the higher grade will be used for this departmental calculation.
MSE Restricted Electives
The MSE Restricted Electives are listed below. Each student in the Standard or Industrial Internship program must take at least 45 units from this list. In double major programs at least 36 units are required. The total number of units may be reached through any combination of the courses below.
| 27-302 | Microstructure and Properties II | 9 |
| 27-322 | Processing of Metals | 9 |
| 27-323 | Powder Processing of Materials | 9 |
| 27-324 | Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering | 9 |
| 27-311 | Polymeric Biomaterials | 9 |
| 27-312 | Metallic and Ceramic Biomaterials | 9 |
| 27-402 | MSE Capstone Course II | 12 |
| 27-405 | Analysis and Prevention of Product Failures | 9 |
| 27-410 | Computational Techniques in Engineering | 9 |
| 27-325 | Polymer Physics and Morphology | 9 |
| 27-421 | Processing Design | 6 |
| 27-432 | Electronic and Thermal Properties of Metals, Semiconductors and Related Devices | 9 |
| 27-433 | Dielectric, Magnetic, Superconducting Properties of Materials & Related Devices | 9 |
| 27-442 | Deformation Processing | 9 |
| 27-445 | Structure, Properties and Performance Relationships in Magnetic Materials | 9 |
| 27-367 | Selection and Performance of Materials | 6 |
| 27-454 | Supervised Reading | Var. |
| 27-512 | Diffraction Methods in Materials Science | 9 |
| 27-530 | Advanced Physical Metallurgy | 9 |
| 27-533 | Principles of Growth and Processing of Semiconductors | 6 |
| 27-542 | Processing and Properites of Thin Films | 9 |
| 27-551 | Properties of Ceramics and Glasses | 9 |
| 27-555 | Materials Project I | Var. |
| 27-556 | Materials Project II | Var. |
| 27-560 | Physical Chemistry of Metallurgical Reactions | 9 |
| 27-565 | Nanostructured Materials | 9 |
| 27-566 | Special Topics in MSE | 9 |
| 27-582 | Phase Transformations in Solids | 9 |
| 27-591 | Mechanical Behavior of Materials | 9 |
| 27-592 | Solidification Processing | 9 |
| 27-594 | Electrochemical Degradation of Materials | 9 |
| 06-466 | Experimental Polymer Science | 9 |
| 06-609 | Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules | 9 |
| 06-619 | Semiconductor Processing Technology | 9 |
| 12-605 | Design and Construction | 9 |
| 12-411 | Project Management for Construction | 9 |
| 12-611 | Project Management Construction | 9 |
| 12-631 | Structural Design | 12 |
| 18-310 | Fundamentals of Semiconductor Devices | 12 |
| 24-261 | Statics | 10 |
| 24-262 | Stress Analysis | 12 |
| 24-341 | Manufacturing Sciences | 9 |
| 24-361 | Intermediate Stress Analysis | 10 |
| 33-355 | Nanoscience and Nanotechnology | 9 |
| 33-341 | Thermal Physics I | 10 |
| 33-448 | Introduction to Solid State Physics | 9 |
| 39-500 | Honors Research Project | Var. |
| 42-444 | Medical Devices | 9 |
| 42-300 | Junior BME Research Project | Var. |
| 42-400 | Senior BME Research Project | Var. |
MSE graduate courses may also be counted as restrictive electives subject to approval by Undergraduate advisors.
Industrial Internship Option (Cooperative Education Program)
The industrial internship option (IIO) unique to the Department offers the student in Materials Science and Engineering an opportunity to supplement the regular academic program with valuable practical experience through alternating periods in industry and on campus, beginning in the Spring of the sophomore year. Interested students should apply for this option during the first semester of the sophomore year and are expected to follow the program, including four industry periods, to completion.
Standard Program
Sophomore Year
| Fall | ||
| Standard Program for the Fall semester; co-op interviews in Fall | ||
| Spring | Units | |
| Industry 1 | ||
| 0 | ||
| Summer | Units | |
| 21-260 | Differential Equations | 9 |
| xx-xxx | H&SS Elective [3] | 9 |
| xx-xxx | H&SS Elective [4] | 9 |
| xx-xxx | H&SS Elective [5] | 9 |
| 36 | ||
Junior Year
| Fall | Units | |
| Industry 2 | ||
| 0 | ||
| Spring | Units | |
| 09-105 | Introduction to Modern Chemistry I ** | 10 |
| 09-101 | Introduction to Experimental Chemistry ** | 3 |
| xx-xxx | H&SS Elective [6] | 9 |
| 27-xxx | MSE Restricted Elective [1] | 9 |
| 27-216 | Transport in Materials | 9 |
| 27-217 | Phase Relations and Diagrams | 12 |
| 27-205 | Introduction to Materials Characterization | 3 |
| 55 | ||
| Summer | Units | |
| Industry 3 | ||
| 0 | ||
Senior Year
| Fall | Units | |
| xx-xxx | Free Elective [1] | 9 |
| 33-225 | Quantum Physics and Structure of Matter | 9 |
| or | 09-217 Organic Chemistry I (9 units) | |
| or | 03-121 Modern Biology (9 units) | |
| xx-xxx | H&SS Elective [7] | 9 |
| 27-399 | Professional Development II | 1 |
| 27-xxx | MSE Restricted Elective [2] | 9 |
| 27-301 | Microstructure and Properties I | 9 |
| 46 | ||
| Spring | Units | |
| xx-xxx | Free Elective [2] | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Free Elective [3] | 9 |
| 36-220 | Engineering Statistics and Quality Control | 9 |
| xx-xxx | H&SS Elective [8] | 9 |
| 27-xxx | MSE Restricted Elective [3] | 9 |
| 27-367 | Selection and Performance of Materials | 6 |
| 51 | ||
| Summer | ||
| Industry 4 | 6 | |
Fifth Year
| Fall | Units | |
| xx-xxx | Free Elective [4] | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Free Elective [5] | 9 |
| 27-499 | Professional Development III | 1 |
| 27-xxx | MSE Restricted Elective[4] | 9 |
| 27-xxx | MSE Restricted Elective[5] | 9 |
| 27-401 | MSE Capstone Course I | 12 |
| 49 | ||
379Minimum number of units required for degree:
* The 5 MSE Restricted Electives are listed above as 9 unit courses. The student must complete at least 45 units of MSE Restricted Electives, and may combine 6 and 9 unit courses to reach or exceed this total.
** See remark after Standard Program.
Integrated B.S./M.S. Program
Undergraduates have the opportunity to receive simultaneously or be sequentially awarded B.S. and M.S. degrees in MSE by taking an additional 96 units of coursework at Carnegie Mellon. The primary purpose of the Integrated Masters/ Bachelor Degree Program is to provide students with superior breadth and depth in technical material, which will better prepare them for careers in industry. The Integrated Masters/Bachelor Degree Program normally requires an additional academic year of coursework beyond the B.S. Degree Requirements. However, students interested in pursuing the Integrated M.S./B.S. Degrees are encouraged to begin taking some of the required graduate courses before their last year.
Degree Requirements
The following are the additional requirements for the Integrated M.S./B.S. Degrees over and above the requirements for the B.S. Degree. Note that no course can be counted as satisfying more than one of the requirements listed below and no course used to satisfy the B.S. Degree requirements can be used to satisfy one of the requirements listed below. The requirements total 96 units. The 96 additional units needed to satisfy the M.S. degree component of the Integrated Program can not be used to satisfy any other requirements such as a double major or minor.
1. Course Option (96 units)
| 27-788 | Defects in Materials | 6 |
| 27-766 | Diffusion in Materials | 6 |
| 27-796 | Structure of Materials | 6 |
| 27-797 | Bonding of Materials | 6 |
| 27-798 | Thermodynamics I | 6 |
| 27-799 | Thermodynamics II | 6 |
- plus 60 units of 500 or 700 level Materials Science and Engineering courses.
2. Research Option (30 units, Summer 4th year)
| 27-788 | Defects in Materials | 6 |
| 27-766 | Diffusion in Materials | 6 |
| 27-796 | Structure of Materials | 6 |
| 27-797 | Bonding of Materials | 6 |
| 27-798 | Thermodynamics I | 6 |
| 27-799 | Thermodynamics II | 6 |
- plus 30 units of 500 or 700 level Materials Science and Engineering courses.
- plus 30 units of 27-756 Masters Project (usually taken in the summer of the fourth year).
Qualifications
The Integrated B.S./M.S. Degree Program is available to all undergraduates who maintain a cumulative QPA of 3.0 or better, including the freshman year. Students must also maintain a QPA of 3.0 in courses used to satisfy the requirements of the M.S. degree. No course with a grade lower than C will be counted toward the Master's Degree requirements (those over and above the requirements for the B.S. Degree).
Students (with a cumulative QPA of 3.0 or higher) become eligible to apply to the program during the spring semester of their junior year, or the semester in which they accumulate 280 or more units, whichever is earlier. Interested students should apply to the Department Head of Materials Science and Engineering prior to February 15 of their junior year.
Although some specific graduate courses are required above, substitutions are permitted within the freedom of the normal requirements for the M.S. degree (see graduate curriculum information for further details). Students interested in a program with a strong research orientation are encouraged to elect 27-402 MSE Capstone Course II as part of their undergraduate program.