Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Undergraduate Major

Materials engineers create new materials and improve existing materials. Materials engineers understand the relationship between the properties of a material and its internal structure--from the macro level to the atomic level.

In many cases, we are the people who help a product become cheaper, easier to produce, or more durable. We also discover new materials.

Learn more about a career in MSE.

Program of Study

In our undergraduate program, you'll choose two areas of specialization:

  • Polymers: Find new uses for plastic and learn how to make it better.
  • Ceramics: Learn about the structure and properties of glass and its use in fiber optics and surgical devices.
  • Metals: You'll study many types of metals and alloys, testing them for microhardness and controlling corrosion.
  • Electronics: Learn about the electronic behavior of material, band theory, and magnetism.

Courses

With small class sizes you'll get to know your teachers and classmates really well.

Learn more about the undergraduate courses and program requirements:

Learn about the nondestructive engineering minor.

Concurrent Degree Programs

Want to work on a master's degree during your bachelor's? Consider one of the concurrent programs: 


Hands-on Learning

Get paid for working on research projects as an undergraduate, beginning as early as your freshman year. Your advisor will help you get your resume to professors looking to hire students in their research projects.

Learn More

Contact Andrea Klocke, advisor and program director, 515-294-0891, aklocke@iastate.edu, with questions about the program.