Academic Programs

DMSE offers several undergraduate programs:

 

The Course 3 SB, the Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering, is pursued by the majority of undergraduate students in the department. In addition to the GIRs and departmental subject requirements, students are required to complete either a thesis or an internship.

The Course 3A SB, the Bachelor of Science as recommended by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, allows more flexibility in designing the academic program, and is therefore commonly pursued by students considering further academic study in law, medicine, or business.

The Course 3C SB, Bachelor of Science in Archaeology and Materials as recommended by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering,  provides a special focus on understanding prehistoric culture through study of the structure and properties of materials associated with human activities. Students participate in laboratory activities which may include archaeological fieldwork during IAP or summer months.

ABET Accreditation 

The Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science and Engineering (Course 3) is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org,  and follows these Program Educational Objectives:

Within a few years of graduation:

  1. Graduates will hold positions in academia, industry, national laboratories, government agencies, or non-profit organizations that require advanced understanding of materials science and engineering.
  2. Graduates will apply deep knowledge of technical fundamentals to address societal needs in materials science and engineering.
  3. Graduates will develop innovative technologies and solutions to materials science and engineering problems in the nation and the world.
  4. Graduates will bring leadership to multidisciplinary teams in academia, government, industry, or non-profits, communicating effectively and working collaboratively.
  5. Graduates will foster innovation by conceiving, designing, and implementing new products, processes, and systems in enterprise and social contexts.

These objectives are drawn from the Program Self-Study Report for Materials Science and Engineering submitted to the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission and are consistent with MIT's institutional mission and with the mission of the School of Engineering.

In consonance with the ABET accreditation criteria, the Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering curriculum is developed and monitored to insure graduates will:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex Materials Science and Engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. An ability to 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
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. An ability to 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
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
     

ABET Enrollment and Degrees Awarded
Enrollment Data for the SB in Materials Science and Engineering
Degrees Awarded in the SB in Materials Science and Engineering