University General Course Catalog 2021-2022 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2021-2022 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Materials Science and Engineering, B.S. in M.S.E.


The Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering is designed to prepare students for a wide range of positions in the modern technological workforce. Materials engineers fill critical jobs in materials research, design, selection, and production.  They work in many technology sectors including materials production, advanced manufacturing, sustainable energy, aerospace, electronics, and nearly all fields of technology and manufacturing in between. https://www.unr.edu/degrees/materials-science-and-engineering/bs

Undergraduate degree programs in Materials Science & Engineering at UNR are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). 

http://www.unr.edu/assessment/plans-and-forms/engineering/chemical-engineering-bs

Contact Information


Chemical and Materials Engineering Department
474 Laxalt Mineral Research Building
(775) 784-6771
Fax (775) 327-5059

All Freshmen, Sophomores and Incoming transfer students: College of Engineering Advisement Center
108 Edmund J. Cain Hall Building
(775) 682-7721
coenadvising@unr.edu 

Juniors and Seniors: Assigned Faculty Advisor http://www.unr.edu/engineering/student-resources/advising

Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno


Use the transfer agreement  and the degree planner (available by clicking Print degree planner icon at the top right of this page) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval.

If a major-to-major transfer agreement is not available for your transfer institution, please check the General Core agreement  if available. If neither is available, access Transferology to assist in your planning.

Admission Requirements


Students seeking admission to the Materials Science & Engineering  (MSE) program are recommended to begin having taken high-school level physics and chemistry, and should be prepared to take calculus in the first year in the program (as a freshman).  Students not meeting these recommendations can speak with an advisor in the College to develop a preparatory plan of study to reach this level as quickly as possible (as necessary).

Progression Standards


This major includes requirements to monitor progress toward graduation in four years. Students must complete these progression requirements by the semester indicated to ensure that they are making minimal progress in their degree program. Students should meet with their academic advisor at least once per semester to monitor their academic progress.
Students must complete the first year progression requirement before enrolling in upper-division engineering coursework. Students may attempt critical courses up to three times. Withdrawals count as attempts. Students who exceed the repeat limit are not making good academic progress and will be placed on program probation.

* Courses marked with an asterisk must be completed with at least a “C”

Graduation Requirements


  • Total Units | 128
  • Cumulative GPA | 2.0
  • University GPA | 2.0
  • Major GPA | 2.0
  • Residency Requirement | 30 Upper-Division Units at UNR
  • Major Residency Requirement | 15 Upper-Division Units in the major at UNR
  • Upper-Division Requirement | 40 Upper-Division Units
  • Half Program Units/4 Year Institution | 64 Units

I. Core General Education Requirements (27-30 units)


NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter of this catalog for information regarding the “Core English and Math Completion Policy  .”

Students in this major must meet all Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course descriptions.

A. Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information (3-6 units) - CO1, CO3


B. Quantitative Reasoning (4 units) - CO2


C. Physical & Natural Phenomena (8 units) - CO4, CO4L


D. Cultures, Societies, & Individuals (3 units) - CO6


E. Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression (3 units) - CO7


F. History & Culture; Constitution (6 units) - CO5, CO8


Note(s):


* Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher to progress to the next course in the sequence beyond this, or any course that requires this as a prerequisite.

II. Additional Core Requirements (0 units maximum)


Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV).  Refer to the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

A. Science, Technology & Society - CO9


B. Diversity & Equity - CO10


The following courses count in the General Education Requirement:

C. Global Context - CO11


D. Ethics - CO12


E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis - CO13


F. Application - CO14


III. Additional College Requirements (0 units)


IV. Major Requirements (98 units)


A. Math and Science Foundations (22 units)


E. Technical Electives (13 units)


Qualifying technical elective courses should generally be selected from upper-division courses in mathematics, science, and engineering disciplines.  Recommended (but not required) courses for technical electives in the MSE major include:

 All upper division MSE and CHE courses not otherwise used to satisfy degree requirements.

V. Minor Requirements (0 units)


VI. Electives (0 units)


VII. Recommended Schedule


A. First Year


B. Second Year


C. Third Year


Fall Semester (16 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


D. Fourth Year


Note(s):


 * In addition to the general university requirements of at least a “C” (2.0) average for graduation, engineering students must earn at least a “C” in those courses designated with an asterisk (*) and must also maintain at least a “C” average in the Core Curriculum Quantitative Reasoning, Physical & Natural Phenomena, and the major requirements courses.

**All electives require prior approval by departmental advisor.