Materials Science and Engineering

Overview

Materials science and engineering (MSE) pertains to the structure, properties, design, development, manufacture, and engineering application of materials of all types. Students may specialize in a number of materials technology areas including ceramics, metals, polymers, or electronic and photonic materials. Students also can design a special program of elective study, such as biomaterials or green engineering, among others.

Graduates are employed in aerospace, automotive, chemical and material, communications, electronics, petroleum and energy, and basic materials-producing industries. Students may qualify for graduate study in engineering, the sciences, medicine, law, and business.

Curriculum:

Review the Graduation Requirements (Checksheet) for your entering class year to see the required coursework.

Interest Areas and Related Majors

The undergraduate MSE program provides courses and experiences related to the following areas within materials science and engineering: biomaterials; ceramics; composites; electronic materials; metals; polymers. A short description of each area and related degrees and minors are provided below to enhance your major exploration experience.

Biomaterials
Biomaterials is the study of materials at the intersection of biology, medicine, and MSE. Metals, ceramics, polymers, electronic materials, and composites are used to interact with biological systems through the course of any therapeutic or diagnostic procedure. Methods for design, development, and characterization within the context of a living system are explored in the classroom. Cutting edge research on translating biomaterials to the clinic is underway here at Virginia Tech in the areas of drug delivery, tissue engineering, cancer treatments, diagnostic tools, and many more.
Related Engineering Degrees: Biological Systems Engineering |  Chemical Engineering
Related Degrees: Biological Sciences | Biochemistry | Chemistry | Geosciences |  Mathematics | Nanoscience | Packaging Systems and Design | Sustainable Biomaterials
Related Minors: Biomedical Engineering | Chemistry | Geosciences | Green Engineering | Mathematics | Nanoscience | Packaging Science | Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Ceramics
Ceramics are present in a variety of components and devices from everyday items to advanced components in special industries. Their unique characteristics such as temperature stability, high elastic modulus, chemical inertness and low thermal expansion coefficients make them outperform other material classes in different scenarios. Our department works on the frontier of ceramic science and engineering to develop a range of structural and functional ceramics, from aerospace components to electronic packaging, as well as biomaterials, superconductors, magnetic and optical devices.
Related Engineering Degrees:  Aerospace Engineering | Chemical Engineering | Civil Engineering
Related Degrees: Biological Sciences | Biochemistry | Chemistry | Geosciences | Mathematics | Nanoscience | Sustainable Biomaterials
Related Minors: Biomedical Engineering | Chemistry | Geosciences | Green Engineering | Mathematics | Nanoscience | Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Composites
A composite material represents a material produced from at least two dissimilar constituents and having physical or mechanical properties different from those of the individual constituents. They are being used for low-end applications such as apparels and sports products and high-end applications such as aviation technology, ​spaceships, and heavy equipment.  Recent advancements have been in the field of multifunctional composite materials, where the materials perform multiple functions in a system due to their specific properties. Composite materials research at Virginia Tech includes the processing, characterization, and physical/mechanical testing of magnetic and magnetoelectric materials, and metal, polymer, and ceramic matrix composites.
Related Engineering Degrees: Aerospace Engineering |  Civil Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | Mining Engineering
Related Degrees: Chemistry | Nanoscience | Packaging Systems and Design
Related Minors: Biomedical Engineering | Chemistry | Geosciences | Green Engineering | Mathematics | Nanoscience | Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Electronic Materials
Electronic materials are semiconductors, metals, ceramics, polymers, or composites that are used to make functional components in electronic or optoelectronic systems. Electronic devices such as diodes and transistors are made of semiconductors functioning as switches in computers, power converters, or wireless communication systems. Solar cells are semiconductor optoelectronic devices, which can also function as transmitters or receivers in fiber-optic communication systems. Inductors and transformers in electronic systems take advantage of magnetic properties of electronic materials, while capacitors and insulation rely on their dielectric properties. 
Related Engineering Degrees: Computer Engineering | Electrical Engineering
Related Degrees: Nanoscience 
Related Minors: Biomedical Engineering | Chemistry | Geosciences | Green Engineering | Mathematics | Nanoscience | Packaging Science | Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Metals
Description coming soon.
Related Engineering Degrees: Aerospace Engineering | Civil Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | Mining Engineering
Related Degrees: Chemistry | Geosciences | Nanoscience | Packaging Systems and Design
Related Minors: Biomedical Engineering | Chemistry | Geosciences | Mathematics | Nanoscience | Packaging Science | Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Polymers
This area of concentration within Materials Science pertains to the study of synthetic and natural organic macromolecular (very large molecules of primarily non-metallic elements) materials.  The synthesis, processing, structure, properties, and applications of such unique materials are covered within the department both in the classroom and in the laboratory.  Topics ranging from the development of polymers for mechanical/electrical applications (“smart” nano-polymeric fibers) to bio-applications (drug delivery, tissue engineering) are just some of the exciting areas of exploration within the Materials Science department.
Related Engineering Degrees: Biological Systems Engineering | Chemical Engineering 
Related Degrees: Biological Sciences | Chemistry | Civil Engineering | Geosciences | Mathematics | Nanoscience | Packaging Systems and Design | Sustainable Biomaterials
Related Minors: Biomedical Engineering | Chemistry | Geosciences | Mathematics | Nanoscience | Packaging Science | Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

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Career Resources

Our Engineering Career Resource provides you with all of the most frequently used career information websites in one place for ease of access. This list includes links to VT First Destination Post Grad Report, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Department of Defense, and many more.