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