Materials Science and Engineering
From Unofficial Guide to Engineering
Contents |
What is Materials Science and Engineering?
Materials science and engineering deals with natural and man-made materials and their extraction, processing, development, and characterization for technological uses. Advanced engineering activities that depend upon optimized materials include medical device and healthcare industries, electronics and photonics, the automotive and aerospace industries, advanced batteries and fuel cells, and the emerging field of nanotechnology.
What careers are available in Materials Science and Engineering?
Materials engineering is a hands-on career that often begins in manufacturing or technical support and moves on into management, research, development, sales or consulting.
In manufacturing, recently graduated materials technicians and engineers might ensure that incoming material specifications are met, production lines run smoothly, and products meet appropriate quality standards. They are involved in troubleshooting and competitive analysis. These activities can serve as a foundation for strategic planning and management positions, particularly with the addition of a Masters degree in Business Administration.
Engineers with an MS or Ph.D. degree carry out cutting-edge research and the invention of new materials from superconductors to radar-absorbing coatings to infrared sensors. Development of new production methods and new products is critical for businesses to become and remain competitive. Engineers with all levels of education (BS, MS, Ph.D.) can pursue this path. Consulting positions reward materials engineers with a variety of short-term assignments, an array of technical experience and significant financial compensation. This is a good training ground for new graduates who are seeking a challenging and varied career.
Materials engineers may also pursue careers outside of engineering. For example they may become lawyers, where they can benefit from training in logic and the ability to handle complex technical issues. A BS in engineering, along with biology and chemistry courses, can also provide excellent preparation for medical school, particularly for individuals interested in developing and testing new devices.1
Materials Science and Engineering at Berkeley
Currently, U.S. News & World Report ranks the undergraduate program sixth in the nation. Undergraduate students in the MSE curriculum pursue a program consisting of the application of the principles of physical sciences, engineering, and mathematics, the production and characterization of materials, the study of phase changes and phase equilibria, and the design and control of the structure and properties of materials.
The Program
Lower Division classes provide a foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry and basic engineering principles. In upper division classes, students may choose to take upper division electives that will fulfill a general emphasis or take courses designed to create an emphasis in one of the following areas:
Biomaterials
Traditionally, biomaterials encompass synthetic alternatives to the native materials found in our body. A central limitation in the performance of traditional materials used in biotechnological, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries is the inability to integrate with biological systems through either a molecular or cellular pathway. This has relegated biomaterials to a passive role dictated by the constituents of a particular environment, leading to unfavorable outcomes and device failure. The design and synthesis of materials that circumvent their passive behavior in complex mammalian cells is the focus of the work conducted within the MSE Department at Berkeley.
Materials Physics and Chemistry
This area includes both the chemical and electrochemical processing and behavior of materials. Processing of materials includes the scientific and engineering principles utilized in mineral processing, smelting, leaching, and refining materials, and along with numerous etching and deposition techniques. Behavior of materials includes environmental degradation, compatibility with specific environments, and materials used in advanced energy storage devices.
Electronic Materials
This group of materials is defined by its functionality. Semiconductors, metals, and ceramics are used today to form highly complex systems, such as integrated electronic circuits, optoelectronic devices, and magnetic and optical mass storage media. In intimate contact, the various materials, with precisely controlled properties, perform numerous functions, including the acquisition, processing, transmission, storage, and display of information. EMO materials research combines the fundamental principles of solid state physics and chemistry, electronic and chemical engineering, and materials science. Nanoscale science and engineering is of increasing importance in this field.
Structural Materials
This area focuses on the relationships between the chemical and physical structure of materials and their properties and performance. Regardless of the material class—metallic, ceramic, polymeric or composite—an understanding of the structure-property relationships provide a scientific basis for developing engineering materials for advanced applications. Fundamental and applied research in this field responds to an ever-increasing demand for improved or better-characterized materials.
Student Comment
Works Cited
1. “Materials Engineering as a Career,” ASM International, http://www.asminternational.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ASMFoundation/MaterialsEngineeringasaCareer/Materials_Engineering_Career.htm
