The required and recommended courses provide a firm background in materials science.Academics / Undergraduate Study / Materials Science and Engineering (BS)Curriculum & Requirements
We empower our students to become whole-brain engineers by integrating elements of left-brain thinking (analysis, logic, and math) with the high-level right-brain thinking that fosters intuition and creativity. The required and recommended courses have been selected to give students a broad exposure to various aspects of engineering and a firm background for materials science and engineering.
Undergraduates who are thinking about majoring in materials science and engineering should consider taking one of our introductory electives: MatSci 195 (Fall Quarter - request a permission number here) or MatSci 190 (Winter Quarter). These courses are open to all undergraduates and help students learn about the field of materials science and engineering through hands-on projects in energy materials and electron microscopy. New first-year and transfer students can easily fit MatSci 195 or MatSci 190 into their course schedule (usually in the quarter you are not taking DTC). Check out our Curriculum Planning Resources for more information.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 48 courses, including the following:
Core Courses (27 courses)
- Mathematics (4 courses: MATH 220-1, MATH 220-2, MATH 228-1, MATH 228-2)
- Engineering analysis and computer proficiency (4 courses: GEN_ENG 205-1, or GEN_ENG 206-1, GEN_ENG 205-2, GEN_ENG 205-3, GEN_ENG 205-4, or GEN_ENG 206-4)
- Basic sciences (4 courses: Physics 135-2, 135-3 plus labs; Chem 131, 132 plus labs, 151, 152 plus labs or Chem 171, 172 plus labs)
- Design and communications (3 courses: 2 courses in Design Thinking and Communication and one of the following: COMM_ST 102-0, PERF_ST 103-0, PERF_ST 203-0)
- Social sciences/humanities (7 courses)
- Unrestricted electives (5 courses)
Materials Science and Engineering Major (14 courses)
- MAT_SCI 301-0 Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering Principles
- MAT_SCI 314-0 Thermodynamics of Materials
- MAT_SCI 315-0 Phase Equilibria & Diffusion of Materials
- MAT SCI 316-1: Microstructural Dynamics
- MAT SCI 316-2 : Microstructural Dynamics
- MAT SCI 331 : Soft Materials
- MAT SCI 332 : Mechanical Behavior of Solids
- MAT SCI 351-1 : Introductory Physics of Materials
- MAT SCI 351-2 : Introductory Physics of Materials
- MAT SCI 361 : Crystallography & Diffraction
- MAT SCI 390 : Materials Design
- MAT SCI 391 : Process Design
- MAT SCI 396-1, 2 : Senior Project in Materials Science and Engineering
Technical Electives (7 courses)
These technical electives in STEM fields are chosen to fulfill an area of concentration within the MSE major. Example concentrations include biomaterials, design and manufacturing, electronic materials, energy materials, nanomaterials, polymeric materials, and sustainable materials. Descriptions and course options can be found in the Areas of Concentration section.
- No more than 3 of the 7 courses may be 200-level courses. 100-level courses are not permitted.
- At least 2 of the 7 must be 300-level MSE courses with 100% engineering topics.
- Three total units must be 100% engineering topics (the two above courses plus one more)
- No more than 1 unit of MAT_SCI 394 or MAT_SCI 399 may be counted.
Curriculum Planning Resources
Use the downloadable NU-MSE-Four-Year-Plans_2025 to see examples of how to plan your coursework for the MSE Major and create your own four-year plan. The spreadsheet also includes details on the MSE core classes and introductory electives.