Materials Science
The field of materials science and engineering is the study of condensed matter (solids and liquids), and how that understanding can be applied to fabricating devices and structures of utility. A relatively young discipline, materials science is an outgrowth of two traditional areas: the study of matter and its structure-property relationship that originated in chemistry and physics, and developments in various materials engineering fields such as microelectronics, metallurgy and plastics.
This major is designed to give students a strong foundation in fundamental sciences and mathematics. The absence of engineering courses in a materials science major is unusual, as is integrating the major into a liberal arts and sciences degree. The structure of the major is deliberately interdisciplinary and broadly defined. Students with this major specialize by choosing an emphasis. The major serves students who plan to enter the workforce after graduation, as well as students who want to pursue graduate education in areas such as materials science, engineering, chemistry and physics.
Why study materials science?
Every day we come into contact with hundreds of manufactured objects that are essential to modern life: the vehicles we travel in; the clothes we wear; the machines in our homes and offices; the sport and leisure equipment we use; the computers and phones we can’t live without; and the medical technology that keeps us alive. Everything we see and use is made from materials derived from the earth: metals, polymers, ceramics, semiconductors and composites.
To develop the new products and technologies that will make our lives safer, more convenient, more enjoyable and more sustainable, we must understand how to make best use of the materials we already have and how to develop new materials that will meet the demands of the future. Materials science involves the study of the structure, properties and behavior of all materials, the development of processes to manufacture useful products from them, and research into environmentally friendly materials.
The technological advances that have transformed our world during the last 20 years have been founded on developments in materials science and the related area of materials engineering. Materials are evolving faster today than at any time in history; enabling scientists and engineers to improve the performance of existing products and to develop innovative technologies that will enhance every aspect of our lives. Materials science has become a key discipline in the competitive global economy and is recognized as one of the technical disciplines with the most exciting career opportunities.
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Learn about the advantages of studying Materials Science at UW-Eau Claire. |
Career options
- Materials science engineer
- Technical journalism
- Forensic science
- Technical sales and marketing
- Research and development
- Design and manufacture
- Quality assurance
- Production management
- Design and manufacture
- Graduate school to receive a master's degree or Ph.D. in materials science, engineering, physics or chemistry
Undergraduate programs
The UW-Eau Claire Materials Science offers:
Major
Materials science comprehensive major (requires no minor) with a choice of six emphases:
- Nanoscience
- Physics of materials
- Chemistry of materials
- Applied materials
- Geomaterials
- Biomaterials
- Liberal arts
High school preparation
- To study materials science, students should have curiosity, imagination and personal satisfaction from solving problems. They also should enjoy mathematics and analysis of the physical world.
- Ideally, students interested in materials science should complete four years of high school college preparatory mathematics and at least three years of high school science, including chemistry and physics.
- All students who enroll at UW-Eau Claire are required to have a minimum of 17 college preparatory units including:
– 4 years of English (at least 3 composition and literature)
– 2 years of a single foreign language
– 3 years of math (algebra, geometry, 1 advanced college preparatory math)
– 3 years of natural science
– 3 years of social science (1 must be world or American history)
– 2 additional units in the areas already mentioned or other academic areas
Freshman course work (sample first year)
Fall Semester
- MSCI 100, Intro to Nanoscience and Materials Science, 3 credits
- MATH 114, Calculus I, 4 credits
- CHEM 115, Chemical Principles, 6 credits
- Social Science/Humanities/Elective, 3 credits
or - MATH 112, Precalculus, 4 credits
- Chem 103, General Chemistry I, 5 credits
- English 110, Introduction to College Writing, 5 credits
- Wellness or Physical Activity, 1 credit
Spring Semester
- Math 215, Calculus II, 4 credits
- Phys 231, University Physics I, 5 credits
- English 110, Introduction to College Writing, 5 credits
or - MSCI 100, Intro to Nanoscience and Materials Science, 3 credits
- MATH 114, Calculus I, 4 credits
- CHEM 104, General Chemistry II, 5 credits
- Social Science/Humanities/Elective, 3 credits
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