Materials Science Major

Materials science and engineering is directed toward an understanding of the structure, properties, and behavior of materials. Society demands new and improved materials with capabilities far superior to common metals, polymers, and ceramics. New materials are needed for high-speed transportation systems, surgical and dental implants, new generations of power plants, and solid-state electronic devices in computer and communication technology. Both the development of new materials and the understanding of present-day materials demand a thorough knowledge of basic engineering and scientific principles, including crystal structure, elastic and plastic behavior, thermodynamics, phase equilibria and reaction rates, and physical and chemical behavior of engineering materials.

Materials engineers study phenomena found in many different engineering operations, from fracture behavior in automobiles to fatigue behavior in aircraft frames; from corrosion behavior in petro-chemical refineries to radiation-induced damage in nuclear power plants; and from the fabrication of steel to the design of semiconductors. Materials engineers are also increasingly involved in developing the new materials needed to attain higher efficiencies in existing and proposed energy conversion schemes and will play a central role in the development of new technologies based on composites and high-temperature superconductivity.

The undergraduate materials science and engineering program provides the background for activities in research, processing, and the design of materials. The curriculum is based on a common core of courses basic to engineering; courses taken during your first two years provide a strong foundation in fundamental engineering concepts.

There are several combined majors with Materials Science and Engineering: Chemical Engineering/Materials Science and Engineering; Electronic Materials Engineering; and Mechanical Engineering/Materials Science and Engineering.

Program Objectives

The objectives of the Materials Science and Engineering program at the University of California at Davis are:

  1. to prepare graduates for employment in a professional field related to materials science and engineering, or another area of their choosing, that utilizes their skills as identified in the Materials Science and Engineering program outcomes, and/or admission into graduate or professional programs of study;
  2. to graduate materials scientists and engineers who contribute to their profession and society through engineering practice, research and development, teaching and/or education, or in governmental, regulatory or legal aspects.

Program Outcomes

Upon graduation, we expect our students to have an ability to:

  1. apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
  2. design and conduct experiments, and to analyze and interpret data
  3. design processes to meet desired performance specifications
  4. function effectively on teams
  5. use engineering methods to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
  6. recognize their professional and ethical responsibilities
  7. communicate proficiently in written and oral form
  8. understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context
  9. engage in life-long learning
  10. understand contemporary issues impacting the society and the profession
  11. use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary engineering practice
  12. apply advanced science (such as chemistry and physics) and engineering principles to materials systems
  13. integrate understanding of the scientific and engineering principles underlying the four major elements of the field (structure, properties, processing, and performance) related to materials systems appropriate to the field
  14. apply and integrate knowledge from the four major elements of the field (structure, properties, processing, and performance) to solve materials selection, and design problems
  15. utilize experimental, statistical and computational methods consistent with the program educational objectives

Contribution of Required ECH/ECM Courses to Program Outcomes (PDF)

Accreditation

The Materials Science and Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology. (ABET).

For more information regarding accreditation and why you should choose an accredited program, please visit ABET's website, or contact:

Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
111 Market Place, Suite 1050
Baltimore, MD 21202-4012
Tel: (410) 347-7700