Materials Engineering
The following curriculum maps are for your general use in exploring majors. You should refer to the specific department webpages and advisors for detailed information and course planning.
- Course prerequisite chain
- Immediate prerequisite(s) (or concurrent registration allowed if listed in the same semester)
- Concurrent registration required
- Postrequisite course sequence
| Freshman | Sophomore | Junior | Senior | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring |
|
Intro-1 (2-4)
Intro to Engineering Calculus-1 (4-5)
Calculus I Chemistry (4)
Chemistry Communication-1 (3-4)
Written Communication |
Intro-2 (2-4)
Intro to Engineering II Calculus-2 (4-5)
Calculus II Physics (4)
Physics ENGR/Selective (3-4)
Engineering Selective Communication-2 (3-4)
Oral Communication |
MA 26100 (4)
Multivariate Calculus Credit Hours: 4.00. Planes, lines, and curves in three dimensions. Differential calculus of several variables; multiple integrals. Introduction to vector calculus. Not open to students with credit in MA 27100. MA 26500 (3)
Linear Algebra Credit Hours: 3.00. Introduction to linear algebra. Systems of linear equations, matrix algebra, vector spaces, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization of matrices, applications. Not open to students with credit in MA 26200, 27200, 35000 or 35100. MSE 23000 (3)
Struc & Prop Of Mat Credit Hours: 3.00. The relationship between the structure of materials and the resulting mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical properties. Atomic structure, bonding, atomic arrangement; crystal symmetry, crystal structure, habit, lattices, defects, and the use of X-ray diffraction. Phase equilibria and microstructural development. Applications to design. MSE 27000 (3)
Atomistic Materials Science Credit Hours: 3.00. Introductory course with an atomistic view point on material properties. Three primary class sections: bonding crystallography and statistical mechanics. Bonding topics include introduction to quantum mechanics, emphasis on understanding of metallic, ionic and covalent bonding. Crystallography topics include crystal descriptions and symmetry principles. Statistical mechanics development with application to electronic and thermodynamic properties. MSE 25000 (3)
Physical Prop In Engr Systems Credit Hours: 3.00. Class connects math, science and engineering practice and applications. Presents foundational aspects of engineering problem solving, use of computer math tools for engineering problem solving, basic engineering statics, dynamics and mechanics, group problem solving approaches, and introductory aspects of design and materials selection. MSE 39000 (0)
Materials Engr Seminar Credit Hours: 0.00. Presentation and discussion of current topics in materials engineering. |
MA 26600 (3)
Ordinary Differ Equatn Credit Hours: 3.00. First order equations, second and n'th order linear equations, series solutions, solution by Laplace transform, systems of linear equations. It is preferable but not required to take MA 26500 either first or concurrently. Not open to students with credit in MA 26200, 27200, 36000, 36100, or 36600. MSE 23500 (3)
Mat Properties Lab Credit Hours: 3.00. Laboratory experiments involving usage of standard equipment in the measurement of mechanical, microstructural, thermal, electrical, and optical properties. Introduction to computer aided data analysis. Experiments are carried out with metal, ceramic, and polymeric materials to illustrate property-structure-processing relationships. MSE 26000 (3)
Thermodynamics Of Materials Credit Hours: 3.00. Fundamental laws of thermodynamics and their applications to material systems; criteria for equilibrium; reaction and phase equilibria; properties of solutions; thermodynamic origins of phase diagrams. MSE 39000 (0)
Materials Engr Seminar Credit Hours: 0.00. Presentation and discussion of current topics in materials engineering. PHYS 24100 (3)
Electricity Optics Credit Hours: 3.00. Electrostatics, current electricity, electromagnetism, magnetic properties of matter. Electromagnetic waves, geometrical and physical optics. PHYS 25200 (1)
Electr Optics Lab Credit Hours: 1.00. Selected experiments in electric fields, magnetic fields, steady-state and transient d.c. circuits, thermodynamics, and optics. GE (3)
General Elective |
MSE 33500 (3)
Mat Character Lab Credit Hours: 3.00. The principles of analytical methods for characterization of materials for structure and composition; optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray spectroscopy and diffraction, atomic absorption, emission spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Laboratory experiments in X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. MSE 34000 (3)
Transport Phenomena Credit Hours: 3.00. Mechanism and rates of heat, mass, and momentum transfer. Macroscopic and differential energy, mass, and momentum balances. Application to systems with phase transformations and chemical reaction. MSE 37000 (3)
Elec Opt Mag Prop Mat Credit Hours: 3.00. An introductory course to provide basic background on the behavior of materials; electronic band structure, electronic and ionic conduction, electronic processes in semiconductors, dielectric, optical, and magnetic properties, and superconductivity; emphasis is on the relation between the properties and the structural aspects of materials. MSE 39000 (0)
Materials Engr Seminar Credit Hours: 0.00. Presentation and discussion of current topics in materials engineering. MSE 42000 (3)
Struct & Prop Of Organic Matls Credit Hours: 3.00. This course presents information on the chemical and physical structure and basic material properties of organic materials, including synthetic plastics and specialty polymers and surfactants as well as select natural materials (e.g., proteins, carbohydrates, lipids). Fundamental concepts from organic chemistry will be presented along with descriptions of how the chemical and physical structures of organic molecules directly impact the properties of bulk materials over multiple length scales, from the molecular-level to the macroscale. This course will prepare students to be successful in higher-level polymer and soft material elective courses in materials engineering. GE (3)
General Elective |
MSE 33000 (3)
Process & Prop Of Materials Credit Hours: 3.00. An introduction to the relationships between the processing of materials and their properties. Heat treating, forming, casting, consolidation, and other more material-specific manufacturing processes. Elucidation of the role of phenomena such as heat flow, mass diffusion, nucleation, interfacial tension, elastic and plastic deformation, precipitation, grain growth. MSE 36700 (3)
Materials Process Lab Credit Hours: 3.00. This laboratory is intended as an intensive experience in processing techniques used for ceramics, metals, and polymers. Sintering of a ceramic, casting and post-processing (work hardening, heat treatment, etc.) of a metal, and preparation and extrusion of a polymer are the suggested processes. The measurements (e.g., powder size, compaction force, temperature, grain size, molecular weight) applicable to the successful processing of the material and the final properties (e.g., hardness, ductility, strength, stiffness) will be emphasized. MSE 38200 (3)
Mech Response Material Credit Hours: 3.00. This course encompasses deformation-based microscopic mechanisms, including dislocation motion, diffusion, and viscoplasticity. Macroscopic mechanical response of metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites will be related to elasticity and plasticity concepts for single crystal, polycrystalline, and amorphous materials. Practical design considerations for deformation will be included as well as an introduction to fracture mechanisms. MSE 39000 (0)
Materials Engr Seminar Credit Hours: 0.00. Presentation and discussion of current topics in materials engineering. GEE (3)
General Education Elective TE (3)
Technical Elective |
MSE 39000 (0)
Materials Engr Seminar Credit Hours: 0.00. Presentation and discussion of current topics in materials engineering. MSE 43000 (3)
Mat Process Design I Credit Hours: 3.00. Experience in the initiation and execution of a specific materials project or study involving research, processing, and design; a written proposal on the project prepared by the student under the supervision of an individual faculty member; oral progress report at the end of the semester. MSE 44500 (3)
Matls Engr Sys Anlys & Design Credit Hours: 3.00. Integration of materials engineering core coursework with statistical, economic and environmental considerations for analysis and design of systems. Analysis of primary materials processing operations using mathematical and statistical models for predicting interactive effects and process optimization. Specification of materials and processes for mechanical designs, incorporating properties assessment and tradeoffs, cost analysis, and performance optimization with multiple constraints. GE (3)
General Elective TE (3)
Technical Elective TE (3)
Technical Elective |
MSE 39000 (0)
Materials Engr Seminar Credit Hours: 0.00. Presentation and discussion of current topics in materials engineering. MSE 44000 (3)
Mat Process Design II Credit Hours: 3.00. Continuation and completion of the materials project or study initiated in MSE 43000 and presentation of a written dissertation on the results and conclusions. Competence in technical writing is emphasized in the preparation of the dissertation. GE (3)
General Elective GE (3)
General Elective TE (3)
Technical Elective |
| 13-17 credits | 16-21 credits | 16 credits | 16 credits | 15 credits | 15 credits | 15 credits | 18 credits |
The code used to present this flowsheet is based on original work shared by the University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Curriculum and General Course Information
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