Program: Materials Science and Engineering, B.S.in M.S.E. - University of Nevada, Reno

University General Course Catalog 2014-2015

Apr 18, 2025

I. University Core Curriculum Requirements (39-44 units)

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

A. English (3-8 units)

Refer to the “English” section of the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

NOTE: Students who place in ENG 102 are not required to complete ENG 101 .

B. Mathematics (4 units)

Refer to the “Mathematics” section of the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

MATH 181 - Calculus I (4 units) *

C. Natural Sciences (8 units)

CHEM 201 - General Chemistry for Scientists and Engineers I (4 units) *
CHEM 202 - General Chemistry for Scientists and Engineers II (4 units) *

D. Social Sciences (3 units)

Refer to the “Social Sciences” section of the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

NOTE: It is recommended (but not required) that MSE students select from ECON 102 , ECON 103 , or HON 220 ) (3 units)

E. Fine Arts (3 units)

Refer to the “Fine Arts” section of the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog. Must not be a skills course.

F. Core Humanities (9 units)

Refer to the “Core Humanities” section of the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

G. Capstone Courses (6 units)

MSE 450 - Techniques of Process Design, Economics and Safety (3 units)
MSE 482 - Design Project (3 units)

H. Diversity (3 units)

Refer to the “Diversity” section of the Core Curriculum chapter of this catalog.

II. Additional School Requirements (0 units)

III. Major Requirements (81-88 units)

CEE 241 - Statics (3 units) OR
ME 241 - Statics (3 units)
CEE 372 - Mechanics of Solids (3 units)
CHE 245 - Computer Applications in Chemical Engineering (3 units)
EE 220 - Circuits I (3 units)
ENGR 100 - Introduction to Engineering Design (3 units)
ENGR 301 - Engineering Communication (3 units)
ENGR 360 - Introduction to Fluid Mechanics (3 units)
ENGR 490 - Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (0 units)
MATH 182 - Calculus II (4 units) *
MATH 283 - Calculus III (4 units) *
MATH 285 - Differential Equations (3 units) *
MATH 352 - Probability and Statistics (3 units) OR
STAT 352 - Probability and Statistics (3 units)
MSE 102 - Introduction to Metallurgical Engineering II (2 units)
MSE 232 - Principles of Metallurgical Engineering (3 units) *
MSE 250 - Elements of Material Science (3 units) *
MSE 361 - Thermodynamics of Materials (3 units) OR
CHE 361 - Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (2 units)
MSE 415 - Materials Characterization (3 units)
MSE 416 - X-Ray Diffraction (3 units)
MSE 430 - Phase Transformations and Kinetics (3 units) OR
CHE 374 - Transport Phenomena II (3 units)
MSE 433 - Electronic, Magnetic and Optical Properties of Materials (3 units)
MSE 450 - Techniques of Process Design, Economics and Safety (0 units) (Units counted in Core Curriculum Capstone section above.)
MSE 460 - Physical Metallurgy I (4 units)
MSE 461 - Physical Metallurgy II (3 units)
MSE 470 - Polymeric and Composite Materials (3 units) OR
CHE 406 - Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering (3 units)
MSE 472 - Introduction to Ceramics (3 units)
MSE 482 - Design Project (0 units) (Units counted in Core Curriculum Capstone section above.)
PHYS 180 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (3 units) *
PHYS 180L - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Laboratory I (1 unit) *
PHYS 181 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (3 units) *
PHYS 181L - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Laboratory II (1 unit) *
Technical Electives (4-9 units)

IV. Minor Requirements (0 units)

V. Electives (0-8 units)

NOTE: If a student places out of any courses, the student must take additional general elective units, such that 128 units are completed for the major. The general electives must be approved by the departmental advisor. This requirement does not apply to AP credits earned or approved transfer credits.

VI. Total Units (128 units)

*Must complete these courses with at least a “C”.

VII. Recommended Schedule

A. First Year

Fall Semester (17 units)

CHEM 201 - General Chemistry for Scientists and Engineers I (4 units) *
ENG 101 - Composition I (3 units)
ENGR 100 - Introduction to Engineering Design (3 units)
MATH 181 - Calculus I (4 units) *
Core Curriculum Social Sciences (3 units)

Spring Semester (17 units)

CHEM 202 - General Chemistry for Scientists and Engineers II (4 units) *
ENG 102 - Composition II (3 units)
MATH 182 - Calculus II (4 units) *
MSE 102 - Introduction to Metallurgical Engineering II (2 units)
PHYS 180 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (3 units) *
PHYS 180L - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Laboratory I (1 unit) *

B. Second Year

Fall Semester (17 units)

CEE 241 - Statics (3 units) OR
ME 241 - Statics (3 units)
MSE 232 - Principles of Metallurgical Engineering (3 units) *
MSE 250 - Elements of Material Science (3 units) *
MATH 283 - Calculus III (4 units) *
PHYS 181 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (3 units) *
PHYS 181L - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Laboratory II (1 unit) *

Spring Semester (15 units)

CH 201 - Ancient and Medieval Cultures (3 units)
CHE 245 - Computer Applications in Chemical Engineering (3 units)
EE 220 - Circuits I (3 units)
ENGR 301 - Engineering Communication (3 units)
MATH 285 - Differential Equations (3 units) *

C. Third Year

Fall Semester

Odd Years (15-16 units)

CEE 372 - Mechanics of Solids (3 units)
CH 202 - The Modern World (3 units)
ENGR 360 - Introduction to Fluid Mechanics (3 units)
MSE 361 - Thermodynamics of Materials (3 units) OR
CHE 361 - Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (2 units)
MSE 460 - Physical Metallurgy I (4 units)

Even Years (15-16 units)

CEE 372 - Mechanics of Solids (3 units)
CH 202 - The Modern World (3 units)
ENGR 360 - Introduction to Fluid Mechanics (3 units)
MSE 361 - Thermodynamics of Materials (3 units) OR
CHE 361 - Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (2 units)
MSE 460 - Physical Metallurgy I (4 units)

Spring Semester

Odd Years (15 units)

CH 203 - American Experiences and Constitutional Change (3 units)
MSE 415 - Materials Characterization (3 units)
MSE 433 - Electronic, Magnetic and Optical Properties of Materials (3 units)
MSE 461 - Physical Metallurgy II (3 units)
MSE 472 - Introduction to Ceramics (3 units)

Even Years (15 units)

CH 203 - American Experiences and Constitutional Change (3 units)
MSE 416 - X-Ray Diffraction (3 units)
MSE 433 - Electronic, Magnetic and Optical Properties of Materials (3 units)
MSE 461 - Physical Metallurgy II (3 units)
MSE 470 - Polymeric and Composite Materials (3 units) OR
CHE 406 - Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering (3 units)

D. Fourth Year

Fall Semester

Odd Years (15 units)

MSE 450 - Techniques of Process Design, Economics and Safety (3 units)
MATH 352 - Probability and Statistics (3 units) OR
STAT 352 - Probability and Statistics (3 units)
Core Curriculum Diversity (3 units)
Core Curriculum Fine Arts (3 units)
Technical Elective (3 units) +

Even Years (15 units)

MSE 450 - Techniques of Process Design, Economics and Safety (3 units)
MATH 352 - Probability and Statistics (3 units) OR
STAT 352 - Probability and Statistics (3 units)
Core Curriculum Diversity (3 units)
Core Curriculum Fine Arts (3 units)
Technical Elective (3 units) +

Spring Semester

Odd Years (16 units)

ENGR 490 - Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (0 units)
MSE 416 - X-Ray Diffraction (3 units)
MSE 430 - Phase Transformations and Kinetics (3 units) OR
CHE 374 - Transport Phenomena II (3 units)
MSE 470 - Polymeric and Composite Materials (3 units) OR
CHE 406 - Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering (3 units)
MSE 482 - Design Project (3 units)
Technical Elective (4 units) +

Even Years (16 units)

ENGR 490 - Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (0 units)
MSE 415 - Materials Characterization (3 units)
MSE 430 - Phase Transformations and Kinetics (3 units) OR
CHE 374 - Transport Phenomena II (3 units)
MSE 472 - Introduction to Ceramics (3 units)
MSE 482 - Design Project (3 units)
Technical Elective (4 units) +

Note(s):

+ All electives require prior approval by departmental advisor.

* 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.