What it’s about:
This major focuses on the materials used by all engineer ceramics, metals, polymers, and combinations of these (composites). The major provides a rigorous exposure to the principles governing the fabrication, properties, and applications of these materials. Because a primary task of engineers is to create various types of products from a wide variety of ingredients, the study of materials is a gateway to almost any engineering field or project.
What the study of this major is like:
Materials are a common denominator among all branches of engineering because, without them, engineers cannot work. When designing systems, other engineers (civil, chemical, electrical, mechanical) frequently collaborate with materials engineers to select the most appropriate materials. Materials engineering can be done at the atomic level (as in fiber reinforcement to make a graphite fishing rod) or at the macroscopic level (as in the manufacture of appliances, cars, and bridges). In fact, everything we see and use-from skyscrapers to computers-is made of materials derived from the earth. As a major, you learn to develop materials to meet specific needs.
Programs normally include math, communications, computer science, natural sciences (especially chemistry and physics), humanities, social sciences, engineering science, and engineering design courses. As a major, you study the physical and chemical properties of materials, transport phenomena, strength of materials, and tools for structural and chemical characterization. You use differential and integral calculus to solve equations governing the behavior of solids. In design courses, you gain practice in devising materials, components, systems, or processes to meet particular objectives. In various courses you will employ a variety of tools (such as electron microscopes, and software for modeling the behavior of material and components) and ways of processing material (such as microgravity processing).
Typically, materials engineering classes are small (about 20 students), allowing for close interaction between students and faculty members. You learn primarily through lectures, presentations, and hands-on laboratories. You are encouraged to develop your oral and writing skills. Because much of the subject matter is conceptual, you must learn how to visualize solid materials in three dimensions.
Course requirements are similar at most colleges. All programs focus on the relation, in solids, of processing, microstructure, and property. Some colleges may stress mechanics of materials, thermodynamics, or kinetics. Other programs emphasize a particular material, such as ceramics or polymers. Differences in approach generally reflect faculty members’ interest and expertise.
This major is often referred to as a science as well as an engineering discipline, because much of the science (chemistry and physics) of engineering materials is still being developed. You will find that most programs have a high ratio of graduate research students to undergraduate majors. This usually results in many opportunities for undergraduates to take part in important research on new materials, such as carbon nano tubes, for example.
Career options and trends:
Applications engineer*; production engineer; metallurgist; polymer engineer*; industrial research and development staff member*; technical writer.
Every year, fewer than 1,000 students receive bachelor’s degrees in this discipline. For this reason and because of the interdisciplinary nature of the field, there are a wide variety of job opportunities. While manufacturing in general is declining, job growth should be strong for materials engineers working on nano-materials and biomaterials. Salaries are competitive with those in other fields of engineering.
Source: CollegeBoard 2012 Book of Majors
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