Materials Science & Engineering Four-Year Plan
Revised 02/2023
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: CSE prefers these math courses: Math 1371, Math 1372, Math 2373, Math 2374. However, these alternative courses will also fulfill the same requirements, respectively: Math 1271, Math 1272, Math 2243, Math 2263.
Freshman Year
Fall Semester
- ◊ Math 1371 Calculus I (placement or prereq) [4cr]
- ◊ Phys 1301W Intro Physics I (&Math 1371) [4cr]
- ◊ Chem 1065 Chem Principles I Lab (&1061) [1cr]
- ◊ Chem 1061 Chem Principles I (placement or 1015, &1065) [3cr]
- 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 1066 Chem Principles II Lab (&1062) [1cr]
- Chem 1062 Chem Principles II (1061, &1066) [3cr]
- Liberal Education course or Writ 1301 [3 or 4cr]
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
- ◊ Math 2374 Multivariable Calculus (1372) [4cr]
- Chem 2301 Organic Chem I (1062/66) [3cr]
- ◊ MatS 3011 Intro to Materials Science (Chem 1061/65, 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 2303) [3cr]
- AEM 2031 Mechanics for Materials+ (Math 2374, &Math 2373, Phys 1301W) [3cr]
- CHOOSE ONE:
- Chem 4502 Intro to Quantum (1062/66, &Math 2374 or &2373, Phys 1302W) (preferred) [3cr]
- Phys 2303 Physics III: Matter (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 2303) [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 1061/65, MatS 3011
All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.
Department Contact Information
Website: cse.umn.edu/cems/cems-undergraduate-programs
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
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What can I do with a major in Materials Science & Engineering?
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