Materials Science and Engineering is an interdisciplinary field centered on understanding the physical and chemical properties of matter and designing materials to serve a specific function (a battery cathode that can store more charge, a lightweight but strong alloy to improve the efficiency in cars, smaller faster semiconductors to make our electronics smarter and more efficient, as a few examples). Materials scientists study the connections between how we make and manufacture a material and how it affects its structure and resulting properties. Materials engineers develop materials and manufacturing techniques and integrate these materials into commercial products. 

The BS curriculum builds on a strong foundation in chemistry, physics, and mathematics to explore the fundamental concepts and techniques critical to the field of materials science and engineering. Students have the flexibility to explore interdisciplinary studies or to focus in greater depth on one or more areas of concentration in the allotted technical electives and specialty electives. 

This department also offers additional studies in the following Academic Areas of Interest:

• Corrosion Science and Engineering
• Electronic Materials
• Materials Characterization and Failure Analysis
• Soft Materials
• Structural Materials

For your success, our program offers:

• Hands-on lab series starting in sophomore year, culminating in a capstone design course
• Flexibility to choose three specialty electives outside of the major to complement your BS curriculum
• Industry-relevant capstone projects
• Faculty mentoring program starting sophomore year

The freshman year is identical for degrees in aerospace engineering, architectural engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, electronic systems engineering technology, environmental engineering, industrial distribution, industrial engineering, interdisciplinary engineering, manufacturing and mechanical engineering technology, mechanical engineering, multidisciplinary engineering technology, nuclear engineering, ocean engineering, and petroleum engineering (Note: not all programs listed are offered in Qatar). The freshman year is slightly different for chemical engineering, biomedical engineering and materials science and engineering degrees in that students take CHEM 119 or CHEM 107/CHEM 117 and CHEM 120.  Students pursuing degrees in biological and agricultural engineering should refer to the specific curriculum for this major. It is recognized that many students will change the sequence and number of courses taken in any semester. Deviations from the prescribed course sequence, however, should be made with care to ensure that prerequisites for all courses are met.

¹

A grade of C or better is required.

²

Entering students will be given a math placement exam. Test results will be used in selecting the appropriate starting course which may be at a higher or lower level.

³

Of the 21 hours shown as University Core Curriculum electives, 3 must be from creative arts (see AREN curriculum for more information), 3 from social and behavioral sciences (see IDIS curriculum for more information), 3 from language, philosophy and culture (see CVEN, EVEN and PETE curriculum for more information), 6 from American history and 6 from government/political science. The required 3 hours of international and cultural diversity and 3 hours of cultural discourse may be met by courses satisfying the creative arts, social and behavioral sciences, language, philosophy and culture, and American history requirements if they are also on the approved list of international and cultural diversity courses and cultural discourse courses.

⁴

BMEN, CHEN and MSEN require 8 hours of fundamentals of chemistry which are satisfied with CHEM 119 or CHEM 107/CHEM 117 and CHEM 120; Students with an interest in BMEN, CHEN and MSEN can take CHEM 120 second semester freshman year. CHEM 120 will substitute for CHEM 107/CHEM 117.

⁵

For BS-PETE, allocate 3 hours to core communications course (ENGL 210, COMM 203, COMM 205, or COMM 243) and/or 3 hours to UCC elective. For BS-MEEN, allocate 3 hours to core communications course (ENGL 203, ENGL 210, or COMM 205) and/or 3 hours to UCC elective.

⁶

This is a writing intensive course.

⁷

All students are required to complete a high-impact experience in order to graduate. A list of possible high-impact experiences is available in the MSEN advising office.

⁸

With MSEN department approval, students may use up to a combined total of 6 hours of 484, 485, 491, and ENGR 385 courses to meet Specialty and Technical Elective requirements on their degree plan.

⁹

Select from any MSEN 300-499 course not used elsewhere. 

¹⁰

Select in consultation with advisor from MSEN 300-499; AERO 300-499; BAEN 300-499; BMEN 300-499; CHEN 300-499; CVEN 300-499; CSCE 110, CSCE 300-499; ECEN 300-499; ENGR 300-499; ISEN 300-499; MEEN 221, MEEN 300-499; NUEN 300-499; BIOL 300-499; CHEM 220, CHEM 227, CHEM 228, CHEM 300-499; MATH 300-499; PHYS 222, PHYS 300-499; STAT 211, STAT 212,  STAT 300-499; MGMT 309; MKTG 409; FINC 409. All non-MSEN specialty electives must be approved by the Undergraduate Advising Office, on the basis of satisfying one or more of the MSEN BSE program outcomes (e.g., integrating scientific and engineering principles across disciplines).