Overview
Materials science is the study, discovery, design, and production of new materials of various compositions from the atomic to macro scale. This multidisciplinary undergraduate program focuses on the underlying scientific principles from chemistry, physics, and biochemistry as the basis for understanding the structure and function of both soft and hard materials. Students will explore the mechanical, electronic, and biological properties of materials and experiment with the most exciting current designs and applications of modern materials.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Chemistry Courses | ||
| CHM 121 | Principles of Chemistry | 4 |
| CHM 113 | Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CHM 221 | Introduction to Structure and Dynamics | 4 |
| CHM 205 | Chemical Dynamics Laboratory | 1 |
| CHM 222 | Organic Reactions and Synthesis | 4 |
| CHM 206 | Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory | 2 |
| Core Biology Course | ||
| BIL 150 | General Biology | 4 |
| Core Mathematics Courses | ||
| Choose One of the Following: (Also Fulfills Quantitative Skills Requirement) | 8 | |
| Calculus I and Calculus II | ||
| Calculus I and Calculus II | ||
| MTH 211 | Calculus III | 3 |
| MTH 311 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| MTH 224 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| or MTH 210 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | |
| Core Physics Courses | ||
| Choose One of the Following: | 10-11 | |
| University Physics I for the Sciences and University Physics II for the Sciences and College Physics Laboratory I and College Physics Laboratory II | ||
| University Physics I and University Physics II and University Physics III and University Physics II Lab and University Physics III Lab | ||
| University Physics I and Honors University Physics II-III and University Physics II Lab and University Physics III Lab | ||
| Core Computer Science Course | ||
| CSC 120 | Computer Programming I | 3-4 |
| or CSC 115 | Python Programming for Everyone | |
| Core Engineering Courses | ||
| CAE 210 | Mechanics of Solids I | 3 |
| CAE 211 | Mechanics of Solids II | 3 |
| or MAE 207 | Mechanics of Solids II | |
| MAE 301 | Engineering Materials Science | 3 |
| MAE 302 | Mechanical Behavior of Materials | 3 |
| MAE 351 | Mechanics Laboratory | 2 |
| BME 335 | Biomaterials | 3 |
| Concentrations | 17-20 | |
| Select One of the Following: | ||
Chemistry Concentration (17 credit hours) | ||
Take all of these courses: | ||
| Quantitative Analytical Chemistry | ||
| Instrumental Methods in Chemistry and Biochemistry | ||
| Physical Chemistry I (Lecture) | ||
| Physical Chemistry II (Lecture) | ||
| Inorganic Chemistry (Lecture) | ||
CHM 500-Level Elective | ||
Physics Concentration (19-20 credit hours) | ||
Take all of these courses: | ||
| Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory | ||
| Classical Mechanics I | ||
| Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Introduction to Modern Physics | ||
| Advanced Laboratory | ||
| Solid State Physics | ||
| Quantum Mechanics and Modern Physics I | ||
Biochemistry Concentration (20 credit hours) | ||
Take all of these courses: | ||
| Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences | ||
| Biomedical Case Studies | ||
| Protein Structure, Function and Biology | ||
| Molecular Biology of the Gene | ||
| Nanomedicine | ||
| Physical Chemistry I (Lecture) | ||
| Physical Chemistry II (Lecture) | ||
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Written Communication Skills: | ||
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| WRS 106 | First-Year Writing II | 3 |
| or WRS 107 | First-Year Writing II: STEM | |
| or ENG 106 | Writing About Literature and Culture | |
| Quantitative Skills: | ||
| Calculus I (fulfilled through the major) | ||
or MTH 171 | Calculus I | |
| Areas of Knowledge: | ||
| Arts and Humanities Cognate | 9 | |
| People and Society Cognate | 9 | |
| STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major) | ||
| Additional Courses | ||
| Foreign Language in 200 level or above | 3 | |
| Electives | 5-9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Plan of Study
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| CHM 121 | Principles of Chemistry | 4 |
| CHM 113 | Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| MTH 161 | Calculus I | 4 |
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| BIL 150 | General Biology | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHM 221 | Introduction to Structure and Dynamics | 4 |
| CHM 205 | Chemical Dynamics Laboratory | 1 |
| MTH 162 | Calculus II | 4 |
| WRS 106, 107, or ENG 106 | First-Year Writing II or First-Year Writing II: STEM or Writing About Literature and Culture | 3 |
| CSC 115 | Python Programming for Everyone | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHM 222 | Organic Reactions and Synthesis | 4 |
| CHM 206 | Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory | 2 |
| PHY 201 | University Physics I for the Sciences | 4 |
| PHY 106 | College Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| MTH 211 | Calculus III | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHY 202 | University Physics II for the Sciences | 4 |
| PHY 108 | College Physics Laboratory II | 1 |
| MTH 311 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| CAE 210 | Mechanics of Solids I | 3 |
| AH Cognate | 3 | |
| 200-level (or above) Language Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| MTH 224 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| MAE 301 | Engineering Materials Science | 3 |
| MAE 207 | Mechanics of Solids II | 3 |
| Concentration Course | 3 | |
| PS Cognate | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MAE 302 | Mechanical Behavior of Materials | 3 |
| BME 335 | Biomaterials | 3 |
| Concentration Course | 3 | |
| PS Cognate | 3 | |
| AH Cognate | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Concentration Course | 3 | |
| Concentration Course | 3 | |
| PS Cognate | 3 | |
| AH Cognate | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MAE 351 | Mechanics Laboratory | 2 |
| Concentration Course | 3 | |
| Concentration Course | 2 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Mission
The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Material Science focuses on providing undergraduate students with a strong foundation in fundamental scientific concepts as applied for the study, design, and production of modern day materials. Students will have concentrations in specific scientific disciplines, including chemistry, physics, and biochemistry, for materials design and application.
Goals
1. To teach students fundamental scientific concepts in areas of chemistry, physics, and mathematics as applied to materials science.
2. To teach students the fundamental applied concepts of materials, including mechanical, electrical, and biological properties.
3. To teach students foundational laboratory skills for the design, synthesis, and characterization of new and extant materials.
4. To teach students advanced scientific topics in a foundational discipline (chemistry, physics, or biochemistry) as applied to materials design.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Materials Science, students will be able to:
1. apply fundamental concepts in chemistry and physics for the design, development, and production of new materials.
2. apply standard laboratory techniques to characterize and synthesize materials.
3. critically analyze and characterize the properties and potential applications of materials.
4. communicate their results to relevant people, including decision-makers, stakeholders, managers, and the general public.
5. analyze and solve complex scientific problems using critical thinking.
