Materials science and engineering (BSE)

Crafting tomorrow’s world: Make an impact with material science and engineering!

Are you ready to shape the future with your hands? Material science and engineering, or MSE, is all about innovating new chemical, biological and electronic materials and transforming them into innovations that change the world. In the materials engineering program at the School for Engineering of Matter, Science and Transport part of Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU, you’re not just a student but a creator, an inventor, an entrepreneur and a problem-solver.

Materials engineers develop, process and test materials to create a wide range of products with a keen focus on sustainability, clean energy solutions and efficient manufacturing processes. Imagine developing sustainable materials that combat climate change, or designing cutting-edge technologies that revolutionize electronics, clean energy, nanotechnology, bioapplications and other industries. That’s the power of MSE.

Every product you use, from your smartphone to your sneakers, relies on materials engineered by MSE experts. By studying MSE, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to push the boundaries of what’s possible, to invent the materials of tomorrow, and to make a tangible impact on society. Join MSE and become a pioneer in shaping tomorrow’s world. Make your mark. Make an impact.

Why materials and science engineering?

A bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering (BSE) equips students with dynamic careers centered around discovering new materials and functionalities or improving existing materials. The applications’ scope spans various sectors, shaping innovations that touch our daily lives. The impact of materials science is evident in the sleek smartphones and robust laptops we use daily, as well as climate change applications, like making water from air, carbon capture, carbon utilization, health solutions and green energy.

This field also plays a crucial role in developing life-enhancing bone implants. Whether it’s developing stronger and lighter alloys for aerospace components, designing more efficient solar panels for renewable, clean and sustainable energy, or creating biocompatible materials for medical devices, the possibilities for applying knowledge gained in the materials science program are limitless.

Our students take advantage of our state-of-the-art laboratory to apply their knowledge. Students can work in summer intern positions in Metro Phoenix including high-tech companies like Honeywell, Intel, First Solar, Mayo Clinic, Boeing, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, or TSMC, sharpening their skills. 

The weekly student chapter Materials Advantage events bring our students together, creating a family-like environment.  

For students planning ahead, the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering offers accelerated programs, combining a four-year bachelor’s degree program with Master of Science, or MS, studies to prepare for careers in materials science research in five years, saving students time and money in the long run.

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Fun facts materials and science engineering at ASU

  • Discoveries made at MSE include, polymers for hydrogen generation, polymers for carbon capture and their reuse for green energy. We also discovered nanomaterial coatings for high efficiency solar panels, new infrared semiconductors for national defense, new corrosion resistant metals, and new ground breaking processes for green eco-friendly manufacturing.
  • Its alumni lead at some of the top 100 Forbes companies, notably Charles Kuehmann the Vice President of SpaceX and Tesla Motors’ materials engineering division. Other alumni hold leadership positions at renowned companies like Intel Corporation, TSMC Arizona Corporation, Lam Research Corporation and Applied Materials, Inc. These alumni are shaping the future of materials science and engineering and contributing significantly to the advancement of technology in various industries.
  • MSE program has 100% graduation rates, ensuring the student’s success through mentoring.
  • MSE graduates earn $104,100 annual salary (national average) immediately after their graduation. ASU MSE students tend to be above the national average. 
  • MSE undergraduate students have achieved success every year in national competitions, including the Geodesic Dome and Bladesmith competition by ASM International, among others.
  • Materials Advantage student chapter meets weekly to enjoy long pizza parties!
  • Each year, its undergraduate students receive national merit scholarships for their outstanding contributions to research.
  • Approximately 90% of MSE undergraduate students at ASU are actively involved in MSE program and research activities. The students are financially compensated for their work while receiving world-class hands-on education/training.
  • All MSE classes are offered directly by the MSE faculty members who are nationally acclaimed with prestigious recognitions including Academy of Inventors Fellows, Presidential Early Career winners and numerous teaching awards. 
  • Faculty members at ASU’s MSE program are funded by government agencies such as DOE, NSF, NASA and DARPA with multi-million dollar projects, driving innovation and shaping the future of materials science and engineering.
  • Program faculty leads the development of new semiconductor materials and their CMOS plus X integration as one of the eight CHIPS and Science Act’s Microelectronics Commons Hubs in the nation, dedicated to advancing semiconductor manufacturing.
  • It received a substantial $65 million grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) to support clean manufacturing efforts.

Major map, technical electives and requirements for getting a minor.

Need more information on what you’ll be studying? You may review the major map for materials science and engineering students and the list of approved technical electives.

Interested in a materials science minor? We can help you out with that too with a list of course requirements, and you can visit the ASU MSE Minor catalog page.

Degree offered

Bachelor of science in engineering (BSE), materials and science engineering

Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering

Location

Tempe

What is a major map?

A major map outlines a major’s official requirements, elective and required courses, and optimal course sequencing to help students stay on the right track to graduation.

View major map

Admission requirements

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

Freshman
Transfer
International
Readmission
Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering

Affording college

Scholarships
Find and apply for relevant scholarships.

Be sure to check out Fulton Schools' scholarships available to both new and continuing students at engineering.asu.edu/scholarships.

Financial Aid
ASU has many financial aid options. Almost everyone, regardless of income, can qualify for some form of financial aid. In fact, more than 70 percent of all ASU students receive some form of financial assistance every year.

Program objectives and outcomes

Educational Objectives

  1. Our graduates will solve real-world materials engineering challenges within their organizations by applying the required technical knowledge and, skills, and critical thinking.
  2. Our graduates will have made demonstrable progress toward a graduate degree or be considered for a technical promotion potentially within three to five years of graduation.
  3. Our graduates will demonstrate professionalism, leadership, lifelong learning, professional development, and ability to work in teams, and will hold positions of increasing responsibility within their organizations.
  4. Our graduates will demonstrate an ethical approach to their profession including consideration of economic, societal, cultural, and environmental impact.

Student Outcomes (from ABET)

  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  1. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  1. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  1. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  1. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  1. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  1. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Additional outcome from ASU Materials Science & Engineering:

8. demonstrate integration of relationships of structure, properties, processing, and performance related to material systems using experimental, computational and statistical methods

Accreditation

The materials science and engineering, BSE program at Arizona State University is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

Student enrollment and graduation data are available at engineering.asu.edu/enrollment.

Professional licensure

ASU academic programs are designed to prepare students to apply for applicable licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet education requirements for license or certification in another state.

ASU makes every effort to ensure information about educational requirements for licensure or certification information is current; however, state requirements may change. Separate from educational requirements, state licensure boards may require applicants to complete professional examinations, background checks, years of professional experience, jurisprudence exams, etc. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Arizona, it is strongly recommended that you visit the ASU Professional Licensure website for contact information of the appropriate licensing entity to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements.