The Materials Science and Engineering Program at the University of Colorado Boulder is announcing an undergraduate minor for students interested in the materials science field.
Material scientists and engineers investigate how materials perform and how to design new materials that advance technology. It is a growing interdisciplinary field at the interface of chemistry, engineering, and physics.
The 18-credit minor is designed for students in natural sciences and engineering majors. Stephanie Bryant, director of the MSE program, said the minor will complement many undergraduate degrees in which materials already play an important role.
“Materials enables other engineering disciplines, and this program will give graduates more credibility and strength in the job market and open new doors for them,” Bryant said. “Most students will come from engineering and science disciplines – chemistry, physics, geology, integrated physiology – but it’s open to any undergraduate student on campus.”
The minor will provide students with advanced skills in materials science and engineering that can be applied to a broad range of jobs, including advanced computing and electronics, biotechnology and medicine, energy and sustainability, nanotechnology, construction, and manufacturing.
The minor includes two required courses: Materials in Technology (MSEN 2000) and a Fundamentals of Materials Science course (one of either ASEN 1022/MCEN 2024/GEEN 3024/CHEN 4440), plus 12 credits of technical electives selected from more than 55 available courses across campus.
“Students are probably taking many of these electives already. We have so many at CU Boulder, and this is a chance to concentrate your electives a little more to expand your career opportunities,” Bryant said.
The minor will officially begin with the fall 2023 semester. Interested students can reach out to their undergraduate advisor or the MSE program directly for more information.