Materials Science and Engineering
Create the next generation of new materials for clean energy, microelectronics, medical devices, advanced manufacturing, and more with a bachelor's degree in materials science and engineering from UW-Eau Claire.
Materials Matter
Materials are the stuff of life — from the metals and plastics we interact with everyday, to the advanced semiconductors, ceramics, composites, and biomaterials that power innovation in every sector of science and engineering. A materials science and engineering degree gives you the ability to use foundational physics, chemistry, math, and engineering principles to design new materials and improve existing materials and processes.
Here are UWEC, you'll receive a personalized MSE education rooted in experiential learning. Small classes, hands-on access to advanced instrumentation, additive manufacturing techniques, and training on industry-standard software — including SolidWorks, COMSOL, LabView, and MATLAB — will provide you with the professionalization needed to succeed as a practicing engineer or in graduate school.
Our curriculum is intentionally structured to help you become a critical thinker. Unique assignments, undergraduate research opportunities, and and an integration with the liberal education goals at UW-Eau Claire will refine your writing, communication, and problem-solving skills.
You'll also get a chance to explore. Partnerships with area businesses through capstone projects, internships, and other outside-the-classroom learning experiences will help you identify potential career paths, make connections, and uncover new interests.
Program Details
Accreditation Information
The Bachelor of Science in Materials Science + Engineering program at UW-Eau Claire is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Materials Engineering Program Criteria.
UW-Eau Claire’s materials science and engineering degree teams challenging coursework with practical, professional experience. A year-long capstone project will provide you with the opportunity to address a materials-related question or problem, providing you with real-world applications and input from industry experts. Opportunities like these build your technical knowledge of the field, improve your soft skills, and strengthen your resume.
Use testing instruments, equipment, and software found in the industry right now, including a scanning Auger nanoprobe, a scanning electron microscope, an x-ray diffractometer, a confocal laser scanning microscope, and more. Not typically available to students at other universities, this expertise helps you stand out from other job applicants and allows you to do the job — and do it well — on day one.
Built from the ground up, this program is responsive to the needs of employers, including those in Western Wisconsin as well as the broader materials engineering community. Long-standing relationships with local industry professionals — and a semiannual Career Fair with regional employers — lead to internship and career opportunities while ensuring graduates are prepared to meet workforce needs.
Blugold materials science and engineering students receive an outstanding, personalized education. Faculty hold a Ph.D. in engineering or STEM and go out of their way to encourage an environment that promotes success and innovation. Small class sizes — 100% taught by professors — allow you to develop strong relationships with your peers and professors.
Blugold Stories
Conducting research strengthened my group communication, presentation, technical, and problem-solving skills. From my internship, I have experience working in an industry setting and working directly with engineers. I've used software programs and tools commonly used in industry. I can talk about all those things when applying for jobs.
I have been fascinated with the way things work for as long as I can remember, and materials science is the answer to many of my questions about the universe. Why is glass so transparent and aluminum so light? The answers lie in materials science.
Blugold undergraduate researchers make real-world breakthroughs all the time. Two student researchers, along with their faculty mentor, are currently studying polymers. They hope to improve the technology (and reduce the environmental impacts) of household paints, primers, and more.
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Where can the materials science and engineering program lead me after graduation?
The field of materials science and engineering offers a wide range of career opportunities for Blugold graduates. Graduates find employment in microelectronics, energy production and storage, biomedical applications, aerospace, information technology, nanotechnology, manufacturing, and materials production.
Example Careers
- Materials engineer
- Process engineer
- Quality assurance
- Research and development
- Design and manufacturing
- Technical journalism
- Forensic science
- Technical sales and marketing
- Production management
Recent Graduates
3M Corporation
Minnesota
Phillips Medisize
Wisconsin
Preco
Wisconsin
Kohler Company
Wisconsin
Cardinal Glass
Wisconsin
UW-Eau Claire's engineering curriculum is designed to meet the individual needs of students. Innovative learning experiences, a focus on design and access to state-of-the-art facilities will allow you to step into the world of engineering and immediately make an impact. Preview the MSE curriculum flowchart.
Here are a few courses in Materials Science and Engineering at UW-Eau Claire.
MSE 221
Living in a Materials World
The interplay of the structure, properties, and processing of technological materials and their impact on performance. Societal benefits of sustainable, biomimetic, or responsible materials selection.
MSE 350
Thermodynamics of Materials
Survey of the laws of thermodynamics and their application in Materials Science including phase equilibria. Mathematical skills relevant to engineering applications are discussed in the lab section.
MSE 475
Nanomaterials
Quantum behavior and statistical mechanics of nanomaterials, plus modern synthesis methods, electronic and optical applications, biomaterials.
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