University General Course Catalog 2024-2025 
    
    Dec 11, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2024-2025

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

Accreditation information is available at https://www.unr.edu/cme/about/abet-materials

Program Learning Outcomes


Students will be able to:

  • identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  • apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  • communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  • recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  • function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  • develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  • acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

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
Scrugham Engineering and Mines Building, Suite 131
(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 Icon Capture42Active-Hidden2020-11-25 19:19:292020-11-25 19:19:29 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 including ENGR 301 and CHE 482 or MSE 482
  • Upper-Division Requirement | 40 Upper-Division Units
  • As per engineering accreditation requirements, students are required to have the following:
    • a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of a combination of college-level mathematics and basic sciences with experimental experience appropriate to the program
    • a minimum of 45 semester credit hours of engineering topics appropriate to the program, consisting of engineering and computer sciences and engineering design, and utilizing modern engineering tools

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


  • (3 units)
  • (3 units) CO1, CO3
  • NOTE: ENG 100 - Composition Studio See the Core Curriculum section for information on CO1&3 placement. Students who place in ENG 102 are not required to complete ENG 101.

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


Students are encouraged to select a course that simultaneously meets CO7 and CO10 requirements.

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.

Note: credit hours for courses listed under Section II are counted under Section IV.

A. Science, Technology & Society - CO9


B. Diversity & Equity - CO10


Students are encouraged to select a course that simultaneously meets CO7 and CO10 requirements. 

The following recommended 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)


D. Materials Science & Engineering Enrichment Area (12 units)


Select from the courses below to satisfy enrichment area credit requirement.

E. Technical Electives (6 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, plus these courses:

V. Minor Requirements (0 units)


VI. Electives (0-3 units)


Up to 3 credits of open elective may be used if a student places directly into ENG 102.

VII. Recommended Schedule


A. First Year


B. Second Year


C. Third Year


Fall Semester (16 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


D. Fourth Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


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 Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and the major requirements courses.

**All electives require prior approval by departmental advisor.

ENGR 301 and MSE 482 must be taken in residence (no substitutions or waivers).