Materials Science & Engineering Four-Year Plan

Revised 04/2024

Bold: only offered in indicated semester
Italic: course prerequisites and corequisites (designated by &)
UD: must be admitted to the major prior to enrollment
◊: courses required for admission to this major
+: AEM 2031 should not be taken if both AEM 2011 and 3031 have already been taken.

Note: This is a sample plan that shows the department's recommended course plan for completing this degree in four years. Alternative course options can be seen on the APAS or Catalog page.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

  • ◊ Math 1371 Calculus I (placement or prereq) [4cr]
  • ◊ Phys 1301W Intro Physics I (&Math 1371) [4cr]
  • ◊ Chem 1071 CSE Chem Principles I (&1065) [3cr]
  • ◊ Chem 1065 Chem Principles I Lab (&1071) [1cr]
  • Liberal Education course or Writ 1301 [3 or 4cr]
  • ChEn/MatS 1001 Advances in ChEn and MatS (optional) [1cr]
  • CSE 1001 First Year Experience [1cr]

Spring Semester

  • ◊ Math 1372 Calculus II (1371) [4cr]
  • ◊ Phys 1302W Intro Physics II (1301W, &Math 1372) [4cr]
  • Chem 1072 CSE Chem Principles II (1071, &1066) [3cr]
  • Chem 1066 Chem Principles II Lab (&1072) [1cr]
  • Liberal Education course or Writ 1301 [3 or 4cr]

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

  • ◊ Math 2374 Multivariable Calculus (1372) [4cr]
  • Chem 2301 Organic Chem I (1072/66) [3cr]
  • ◊ MatS 3011 Intro to Materials Science (Chem 1071/65, Math 1372, Phys 1302W) [3cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Spring Semester

  • Math 2373 Linear Algebra & Differential Equations (1372) [4cr]
  • MatS 3141 Numerical Methods (&3011, &Math 2373, Math 2374, &Chem 4502/Phys 2503) [3cr]
  • AEM 2031 Mechanics for Materials+ (Math 2374, &Math 2373, Phys 1301W) [3cr]
  • CHOOSE ONE:
    • Chem 4502 Intro to Quantum (1072/66, &Math 2374 or &2373, Phys 1302W) (preferred) [3cr]
    • Phys 2503 Physics III (1302W) [4cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Junior Year

Fall Semester

  • MatS 3001 Thermodynamics (UD) [3cr]
  • MatS 3012 Metals and Alloys (UD, 3011) [3cr]
  • MatS 3013 Electrical & Magnetic Properties of Materials (UD, 3011, Chem 4502 or Phys 2503) [3cr]
  • MatS 3801 Structural Characterization Lab (UD, 3011) [4cr]

Spring Semester

  • MatS 3002 Mass Transport & Kinetics (UD, 3001, Math 2373) [3cr]
  • MatS 3851W Materials Properties Lab (UD, 3013, 3801) [4cr]
  • MatS 4214 Polymers (UD, 3011, 3001, Chem 2301) [3cr]
  • Technical Elective I [3 or 4cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Senior Year

Fall Semester

  • MatS 4212 Ceramics (UD, 3011, 3001) [3cr]
  • MatS 4221 Materials Performance (UD, 3012, AEM 2031) [4cr]
  • Technical Elective II [3 or 4cr]
  • Technical Elective III [3 or 4cr]

Spring Semester

  • AEM 4511 Mechanics of Composite Materials (UD, 2031) [3cr]
  • MatS 4301W Materials Processing (4212, &4214) [4cr]
  • MatS 4400 Senior Design Project (MatS senior) [3cr]
  • Technical Elective IV [3 or 4cr]

Total Credits Needed for Degree: 121

Additional Information

The APAS is the official method for tracking completion of your specific degree requirements. This plan is not a contract and curriculum can change.

Applying to a major: z.umn.edu/csemajorapp

Courses required for admission to this major: Phys 1301W, Phys 1302W, Math 1371, Math 1372, Math 2374, Chem 1071/65, MatS 3011

All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.

Department Contact Information

Website: https://cse.umn.edu/cems/bachelor-materials-science-and-engineering 
Main Phone: 612-625-1313 | Main Office: Amundson Hall 151
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Nate Mara
Departmental Advisor: Kacey Gregerson; kgregers@umn.edu
Course Access: z.umn.edu/cemspermissions
Major Catalog Page: https://umtc.catalog.prod.coursedog.com/programs/052125507 

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University Degree Requirements

All students must complete the following requirements. Requirements with an (*) will be fulfilled by taking courses at UM-TC required for this major.

Writing Requirements

University Writing:

  • Writ 1301/1401 or equivalent

Writing Intensive (WI):

  • One: Any level*
  • One: Any level*
  • One: 3/4/5xxx level (in major)*
  • One: 3/4/5xxx level (any dept.)*

Liberal Education

Cores:

  • Biological Sciences w/Lab
  • Physical Sciences w/Lab*
  • Historical Perspectives
  • Social Sciences
  • Arts/Humanities
  • Literature
  • Mathematical Thinking*

Themes (choose 4 of 5):

  • Race, Power, and Justice in the US (required)
  • Civic Life and Ethics
  • The Environment
  • Global Perspectives
  • Technology and Society