Materials Science and Engineering, BSE
Imagine designing materials that repair themselves, batteries that last decades, or alloys stronger than anything on Earth. Build the scientific foundation to turn seemingly impossible ideas into practical, real-world innovations.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Degree description
Novel materials are tailored to meet the needs of targeted applications and become the foundation for all engineering disciplines. Such materials enable many new technologies and are commonly used in bioengineering and medicine, pharmaceuticals, electronics, optics, architecture and transportation, aviation and aerospace, energy conversion, environmental engineering and numerous industrial systems.
Materials science and engineering involves the discovery, synthesis, processing, manufacturing and characterization of substances within these general classes of materials: sustainable materials, polymers, metals, semiconductors, ceramics and composites. An understanding of the molecular structure and well-designed processing are the keys to engineering materials with outstanding properties for next-generation applications.
Courses in the undergraduate program in materials science and engineering prepare you to discover and design new and better materials that improve people's lives and keep the U.S. on the cutting edge of technology.
Program education objectives
The materials science and engineering program has the following educational objectives:
- You can solve practical materials engineering challenges within your organization by applying the required technical knowledge, skills and critical thinking.
- You have made demonstrable progress toward a graduate degree or can be considered for a technical promotion within three to five years of graduation.
- You can demonstrate professionalism, leadership, lifelong learning, professional development and the ability to work in teams, and hold positions of increasing responsibility within your organization.
- You can demonstrate an ethical approach to your profession, including consideration of economic, societal, cultural and environmental impact.
Outcomes
You are expected to attain the ability to:
- acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
- 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
- communicate effectively with a variety of audiences
- develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives
- identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics
- 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
An additional outcome for ASU materials science and engineering students is to demonstrate integration of relationships of structure, properties, processing and performance related to material systems using experimental, computational and statistical methods.
Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Materials Engineering Program Criteria.
Why study materials science and engineering at ASU?
Here you can pair materials science with fast-emerging fields like artificial intelligence, sustainability, entrepreneurship, advanced manufacturing and microelectronics, shaping a path that follows where the field is heading.
Because the program stays relatively small, you can form close ties with faculty, step into research early, and build lasting bonds with classmates and alumni.
Additional details
You can join Materials Advantage, the premier student organization for materials science and engineering, where you can dive into professional development workshops, industry tours, networking events, outreach activities, conferences and technical competitions. The group also hosts social events and gives you a direct voice in program improvement through meetings with faculty and program leadership.
Beyond Materials Advantage, you can explore hundreds of ASU student organizations, undergraduate research programs, entrepreneurship initiatives, engineering clubs and interdisciplinary project teams. Campus life opens doors to leadership development, community service, study abroad, undergraduate teaching and mentoring, and professional networking, along with career fairs, employer information sessions, and access to one of the nation's largest alumni networks to grow both technical and professional connections.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| FSE 100 Introduction to Engineering |
| MSE 211 Introduction to Mechanics of Materials |
| MSE 212 Microstructure and Properties Lab |
| MSE 215 Materials Synthesis |
| MSE 250 Structure and Properties of Materials |
| IEE 380 Probability and Statistics for Engineering Problem Solving |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Demonstrate integration of relationships of structure-property-performance-processing and apply them to modern engineering problems involving electronic, sustainability, polymeric, ceramic, and other material systems using materials science characterization, computational and statistical methods.
- Solve complex engineering problems by identifying, formulating and applying principles of material science and engineering.
- Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, by analyzing and interpreting materials characterization or computational datasets, and conduct appropriate experimentation and use engineering judgment to draw scientific and engineering conclusions applicable to modern engineering questions.
Demonstrate integration of relationships of structure-property-performance-processing and apply them to modern engineering problems involving electronic, sustainability, polymeric, ceramic, and other material systems using materials science characterization, computational and statistical methods.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
The admission standards for majors in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, shown below, are higher than minimum university admission standards. International students must meet the same admission standards, with the possible additional requirement of a minimum English language proficiency test score. If the university requires an English proficiency test score from the applicant, then admission to engineering requires requires a minimum total TOEFL iBT® score of 4 with a minimum section score of 3.5 (Reading: 3.5, Writing: 3.5, Listening: 3.5, Speaking: 3.5), or a score of 79 (taken at a testing center) if taken before January 21, 2026; or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5; a minimum PTE score of 58; a minimum Duolingo English score of 105; or a minimum Cambridge English exam score of 176. First-year admission:
Transfer admission requirements:
Transfer students with fewer than 24 transferable college credit hours: Transfer students with 24 or more transferable college credit hours must meet EITHER the primary OR the secondary criteria (not both): Primary criteria Secondary criteria
Admission requirements for many majors in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering are higher than university admission standards.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
A study abroad experience can equip students with the skills they need to effectively and efficiently work with people anywhere in the world. They have the opportunity to gain an international viewpoint not only on engineering itself, but also on being a human in this increasingly global world.
Participating in a Global Education program broadens students' horizons and opens up opportunities they may not have known existed. Students gain valuable, resume-enhancing experience when studying abroad, and they stand out in a competitive field with the heightened cultural competency and strengthened leadership and critical thinking skills they have acquired.
The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering recommends these programs for students majoring in materials science and engineering.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | 8.3% | $134,960 | Learn more |
| Automotive Engineer | 11.2% | $104,110 | Learn more |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | 9.1% | $161,740 | Learn more |
| Materials Engineer | 7.5% | $112,860 | Learn more |
| Materials Scientist | 8.3% | $117,790 | Learn more |
| Mechanical Engineer | 11.2% | $104,110 | Learn more |
| Microsystem Engineer | 3.7% | $122,930 | Learn more |
| Nanosystems Engineer | 3.7% | $122,930 | Learn more |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineer | 3.7% | $122,930 | Learn more |
| Supply Chain Engineer | 12.4% | $102,440 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Because materials science and engineering has such a wide variety of applications, graduates find jobs in virtually every field, such as aerospace, defense, the auto industry, telecommunications, microelectronics, computers, bioengineering, sports, renewable energy, academia and national research labs. They are among the highest paid scientists and engineers.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Materials Science and Engineering Program
|
USE 138
semte@asu.edu
480-965-2335
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
