Materials Science and Engineering

University of California, Berkeley

About the Program

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Materials Scientists and Engineers are involved in every aspect of technology, ranging from the design of materials appropriate for use in integrated circuits and biological applications to those materials needed for energy generation (both conventional energy sources and green sources) and for building bridges, roads, and buildings.

Upon graduation, students are prepared for a number of different careers paths. Many go on to graduate studies at prestigious universities. Others head directly into the workforce as engineers in Silicon Valley (e.g. Agilent and Applied Materials), the biotechnology sector (e.g. Genentech), and engineers in the Aerospace field (e.g. Boeing). 

The objectives of the undergraduate program in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) are to educate graduates who have the following skills:

  • Knowledge of the fundamental science and engineering principles relevant to materials design, development and engineering application
  • Understanding of the relationship between nano/microstructure, characterization, properties and processing and design of materials
  • Have the experimental and computational skills for a professional career or graduate study in materials
  • Possess a knowledge of the significance of research, the value of continued learning, and environmental/social issues surrounding materials
  • Ability to communicate effectively, to work in teams, and to assume positions as leaders

This major program leads to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.

Admission to the Major

Prospective undergraduates to the College of Engineering will apply for admission to a specific program in the College. For further information, please see the College of Engineering's website.

Admission to Engineering via a Change of College application for current UC Berkeley students is highly unlikely and very competitive as there few, if any, spaces that open in the College each year to students admitted to other colleges at UC Berkeley. For further information regarding a Change of College to Engineering, please see the College's website.

Five-Year BS/MS Program

The five-year combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science program augments the existing four-year undergraduate program with a fifth year of graduate study that provides a professionally oriented component, preparing students for careers in engineering or engineering management within the business, government, and/or industrial sectors. In this program, students earn a bachelor's degree and subsequently, a Master of Science degree under Plan II (without thesis) of the Academic Senate. This five-year program emphasizes interdisciplinary study through an independent project coupled to coursework. The program is open to undergraduate materials science and engineering majors (both single or joint majors) only. For further information regarding this program, please see the department's website.

Minor Program

The department offers a minor in Materials Science and Engineering that is open to all students who are not majoring in MSE and who have completed the necessary prerequisites. To be eligible for the program, students are required to have a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 and a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite courses. For information regarding the prerequisites, please see the Minor Requirements tab on this page.

To apply for the minor, submit the Petition for Admission to the Undergraduate Minor to the undergraduate adviser after completion of the prerequisite courses. Upon completion of the minor requirements, submit a Petition for Completion of the Undergraduate Minor to the undergraduate adviser.

Joint Majors

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering also offers four joint majors, with other departments in the College of Engineering, and one joint major with a department in the College of Chemistry. For further information on these programs, please see the links below:
Chemical Engineering/Materials Science and Engineering (Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Chemistry)
Bioengineering/Materials Science and Engineering (Department of Bioengineering)
Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences/Materials Science and Engineering (Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences)
Materials Science and Engineering/Mechanical Engineering (Department of Mechanical Engineering)
Materials Science and Engineering/Nuclear Engineering (Department of Nuclear Engineering)

Visit Department Website

Major Requirements

In addition to the University, campus, and college requirements, students must fulfill the below requirements specific to their major program.

General Guidelines

  1. All technical courses taken in satisfaction of major requirements must be taken for a letter grade.

  2. No more than one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student’s major and minor programs.

  3. A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for all work undertaken at UC Berkeley.

  4. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for all technical courses taken in satisfaction of major requirements.

For information regarding residence requirements and unit requirements, please see the College Requirements tab.

For a detailed plan of study by year and semester, please see the Plan of Study tab.

Lower Division Requirements

MATH 1ACalculus4
MATH 1BCalculus4
MATH 53Multivariable Calculus4
PHYSICS 89Introduction to Mathematical Physics4
CHEM 1A
1AL
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry Laboratory 1
5
or CHEM 4A General Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 1BGeneral Chemistry 14
or CHEM 4B General Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis
PHYSICS 7APhysics for Scientists and Engineers4
PHYSICS 7BPhysics for Scientists and Engineers4
PHYSICS 7CPhysics for Scientists and Engineers4
ENGIN 7Introduction to Computer Programming for Scientists and Engineers4
ENGIN 40Engineering Thermodynamics4
MAT SCI 45
45L
Properties of Materials
and Properties of Materials Laboratory
4
MEC ENG C85/CIV ENG C30Introduction to Solid Mechanics3
1

 CHEM 4A and CHEM 4B are designed for students majoring in chemistry or a closely-related field.

Upper Division Requirements

Math/Stat/Data Elective 13-4
MAT SCI 102Bonding, Crystallography, and Crystal Defects3
MAT SCI 103Phase Transformations and Kinetics3
MAT SCI 104
104L
Materials Characterization
and Materials Characterization Laboratory
4
MAT SCI 111Properties of Electronic Materials4
MAT SCI 112Corrosion (Chemical Properties)3
MAT SCI 113Mechanical Behavior of Engineering Materials3
MAT SCI 130Experimental Materials Science and Design3
MAT SCI 151Polymeric Materials3
MAT SCI 120 series course3-4
Upper Division Engineering Elective 23-4
1

Math/Stat/Data Elective - Choose one of the following:

  • any upper division MATH course (except C103, 151, 152, 153, 160, and any course numbered 190 or higher)
  • any upper division STAT course (except 157, or any course numbered 190 or higher)
  • IND ENG 172 - Probability and Risk Analysis for Engineers
  • COMPSCI C100/DATA C100/STAT C100 - Principles & Techniques of Data Science
  • ENGIN 117 - Methods of Engineering Analysis
2

An upper division engineering elective, of at least 3 units, is chosen in consultation with the student's faculty adviser. Students may use three units of credit for work on a research project in MAT SCI H194 (Honors Undergraduate Research). Other letter-graded research courses may be approved by petition. Typically, this elective should be offered by a department within the College of Engineering or from the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering.

Upper division engineering electives cannot include:

  • Any course taken on a Pass/No Pass basis
  • Any course that counts as H/SS
  • Any of the following courses: BIOENG 100; DESINV courses (except DES INV 190E); ENGIN 125, 157AC, 180, 183 series, 185, 187, 195 series; INDENG 172, 185, 186, 190 series, 191, 192, 195; MECENG 190K, 191AC, 191K.

Minor Requirements

Minor programs are areas of concentration requiring fewer courses than an undergraduate major. These programs are optional but can provide depth and breadth to a UC Berkeley education. The College of Engineering does not offer additional time to complete a minor, but it is usually possible to finish within the allotted time with careful course planning. Students are encouraged to meet with their ESS adviser to discuss the feasibility of completing a minor program.

All the engineering departments offer minors. Students may also consider pursuing a minor in another school or college.

General Guidelines

  1. All minors must be declared no later than one semester before a student's Expected Graduation Term (EGT). If the semester before EGT is fall or spring, the deadline is the last day of RRR week. If the semester before EGT is summer, the deadline is the final Friday of Summer Sessions. To declare a minor, contact the department advisor for information on requirements, and the declaration process.

  2. All courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements must be taken for graded credit, unless course is only offered on a Pass/No Pass basis

  3. A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 and a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite courses is required for acceptance into the minor program.

  4. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 is required for courses used to fulfill the minor requirements.

  5. No more than one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student’s major and minor programs.

  6. Completion of the minor program cannot delay a student’s graduation.

          *For Bioengineering majors, ENGIN 40 can be substituted with CHEM 120B or CHEM C130/MCB C100A.
          *For Chemical Engineering majors, ENGIN 40 can be substituted with CHM ENG 141.
          *Chemical Engineering majors must also take two courses from MAT SCI 104, MAT SCI 111-113, and MAT SCI 117-125.
          *For Mechanical Engineering majors, ENGIN 40 can be substituted with MEC ENG 40.

Requirements

Prerequisites
MAT SCI 45Properties of Materials3
MAT SCI 45LProperties of Materials Laboratory1
ENGIN 40Engineering Thermodynamics4
Upper Division Requirements
MAT SCI 102Bonding, Crystallography, and Crystal Defects3
MAT SCI 103Phase Transformations and Kinetics3
Select one of the following:
Materials Characterization
and Materials Characterization Laboratory
Properties of Electronic Materials [4]
Corrosion (Chemical Properties) [3]
Mechanical Behavior of Engineering Materials [3]
Properties of Dielectric and Magnetic Materials [3]
Biological Performance of Materials [4]
Materials Production [3]
Metals Processing [3]
Ceramic Processing [3]
Thin-Film Materials Science [3]
ELECTRONIC MATERIALS PROCESSING [4]
Polymeric Materials [3]

College Requirements

Students in the College of Engineering must complete no fewer than 120 semester units with the following provisions: 

  1. Completion of the requirements of one engineering major program of study. 
  2. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.00 (C average) and a minimum 2.00 grade point average in upper division technical coursework required of the major.
  3. The final 30 units and two semesters must be completed in residence in the College of Engineering on the Berkeley campus.
  4. All technical courses (math, science, and engineering) that can fulfill requirements for the student's major must be taken on a letter graded basis (unless they are only offered P/NP). 
  5. Entering freshmen are allowed a maximum of eight semesters to complete their degree requirements. Entering junior transfers are allowed five semesters to complete their degree requirements. Summer terms are optional and do not count toward the maximum. Students are responsible for planning and satisfactorily completing all graduation requirements within the maximum allowable semesters. 
  6. Adhere to all college policies and procedures as they complete degree requirements.
  7. Complete lower division technical courses before enrolling in upper division technical courses. 

Humanities and Social Sciences (H/SS) Requirement

To promote a rich and varied educational experience outside of the technical requirements for each major, the College of Engineering has a six-course Humanities and Social Sciences breadth requirement, which must be completed to graduate. This requirement, built into all the engineering programs of study, includes two Reading and Composition courses (R&C), and four additional courses within which a number of specific conditions must be satisfied. See the humanities and social sciences section of our website for details.

Class Schedule Requirements

  • Minimum units per semester: 12.0
  • Maximum units per semester:  20.5
  • Minimum technical courses: College of Engineering undergraduates must include at least two letter graded technical courses (of at least 3 units each) in their semester program. Every semester students are expected to make satisfactory progress in their declared major. Satisfactory progress is determined by the student's Engineering Student Services Advisor. (Note: For most majors, normal progress will require enrolling in 3-4 technical courses required of your current major each semester.) Students who are not in compliance with this policy by the end of the fifth week of the semester are subject to a registration block that will delay enrollment for the following semester. 
  • All technical courses (math, science, engineering) that satisfy requirements for the major must be taken on a letter-graded basis (unless only offered as P/NP).

Minimum Academic Requirements

  • Students must have a minimum overall and semester grade point average of 2.00 (C average). Students will be subject to dismissal from the University if during any fall or spring semester their overall UC GPA falls below a 2.00, or their semester GPA is less than 2.00. 
  • Students must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.00 (C average) in upper division technical courses required for the major curriculum each semester.
  • A minimum overall grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum 2.00 grade point average in upper division technical course work required for the major are required to earn a Bachelor of Science in the College of Engineering.
  • Students must make normal degree progress toward the Bachelor of Science degree and their officially declared major.

Unit Requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, students must complete at least 120 semester units of courses subject to certain guidelines:

  • Completion of the requirements of one engineering major program of study. 
  • A maximum of 16 units of special studies coursework (courses numbered 97, 98, 99, 197, 198, or 199) is allowed to count towards the B.S. degree, and no more than 4 units in any single term can be counted.
  • A maximum of 4 units of physical education from any school attended will count towards the 120 units.
  • Passed (P) grades may account for no more than one third of the total units completed at UC Berkeley, Fall Program for Freshmen (FPF), UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), or UC Berkeley Washington Program (UCDC) toward the 120 overall minimum unit requirement. Transfer credit is not factored into the limit. This includes transfer units from outside of the UC system, other UC campuses, credit-bearing exams, as well as UC Berkeley Extension XB units.

Normal Progress

Students in the College of Engineering must enroll in a full-time program and make normal progress each semester toward their declared major.  Students who fail to achieve normal academic progress shall be subject to dismissal. (Note: Students with official accommodations established by the Disabled Students' Program, with health or family issues, or with other reasons deemed appropriate by the dean may petition for an exception to normal progress rules.)

UC and Campus Requirements

University of California Requirements

Entry Level Writing

All students who will enter the University of California as freshmen must demonstrate their command of the English language by satisfying the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR). The UC Entry Level Writing Requirement website provides information on how to satisfy the requirement.

American History and American Institutions

The American History and Institutions (AH&I) requirements are based on the principle that a US resident graduated from an American university should have an understanding of the history and governmental institutions of the United States.

Campus Requirement

American Cultures

The American Cultures requirement is a Berkeley campus requirement, one that all undergraduate students at Berkeley need to pass in order to graduate. You satisfy the requirement by passing, with a grade not lower than C- or P, an American Cultures course. You may take an American Cultures course any time during your undergraduate career at Berkeley. The requirement was instituted in 1991 to introduce students to the diverse cultures of the United States through a comparative framework. Courses are offered in more than fifty departments in many different disciplines at both the lower and upper division level.

 

Plan of Study

For more detailed information regarding the courses listed below (e.g., elective information, GPA requirements, etc.), please see the College Requirements and Major Requirements tabs.

Freshman
FallUnitsSpringUnits
CHEM 4A or 1A and 1AL15MATH 1B4
MATH 1A4PHYSICS 7A4
MAT SCI 4523CHEM 1B or 4B14-5
MAT SCI 45L21Humanities/Social Sciences course33-4
Reading & Composition Part A Course34 
 17 15-17
Sophomore
FallUnitsSpringUnits
MATH 534PHYSICS 8944
PHYSICS 7B4PHYSICS 7C4
ENGIN 74MAT SCI 1513
Reading & Composition Part B Course34Humanities/Social Sciences course33-4
 16 14-15
Junior
FallUnitsSpringUnits
ENGIN 404MAT SCI 1033
MEC ENG C853MAT SCI 104
104L
4
MAT SCI 1023MAT SCI 1114
Math/Stat/Data Elective53-4MAT SCI 1123
Free Elective64 
 17-18 14
Senior
FallUnitsSpringUnits
MAT SCI 1133Upper Division Engineering Elective73-4
MAT SCI 1303Humanities/Social Science Course43-4
MAT SCI 120 Series Course3-4Free Electives66-8
Humanities/Social Science Course43-4 
Free Elective63 
 15-17 12-16
Total Units: 120-130
1

 CHEM 4A and CHEM 4B are intended for students majoring in chemistry or a closely-related field.

2

MAT SCI 45/MAT SCI 45L can be taken in either the fall or spring semesters of the first year. Both offerings deliver the same fundamental content. The fall offering draws more examples from hard materials (e.g. semiconductors, metals and ceramics), whereas the spring offering will draw more examples from soft materials (e.g. polymers and biomaterials).

3

The Humanities/Social Sciences (H/SS) requirement includes two approved Reading & Composition (R&C) courses and four additional approved courses, with which a number of specific conditions must be satisfied. R&C courses must be taken for a letter grade (C- or better required). The first half (R&C Part A) must be completed by the end of the freshman year; the second half (R&C Part B) must be completed by no later than the end of the sophomore year. The remaining courses may be taken at any time during the program. See engineering.berkeley.edu/hss for complete details and a list of approved courses.

4

Please note that PHYSICS 89 is meant to replace MATH 54. As such, students should be well prepared for any class listing MATH 54 as a prerequisite and often the departments offering those courses do not officially enforce their prerequisites in the system so there should not be an issue with enrollment.

5

Math/Stat/Data Elective - Choose one of the following:

  • any upper division MATH course (except C103, 151, 152, 153, 160, and any course numbered 190 or higher)
  • any upper division STAT course (except 157, or any course numbered 190 or higher)
  • ENGIN 117 - Methods of Engineering Analysis
  • IND ENG 172 - Probability and Risk Analysis for Engineers
  • COMPSCI C100/DATA C100/STAT C100 - Principles & Techniques of Data Science
6

Free electives can be any technical or non-technical course, any course of your interest offered by any department. There are no restrictions.

7

Students must complete an upper division engineering elective, of at least 3 units, chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty adviser. The engineering elective cannot be: any course taken on a P/NP basis; BIO ENG 100; DESINV courses (except DES INV 190E); ENGIN 125, 157AC, 180, 183 series, 185, 187, 195 series; INDENG 172, 185, 186, 190 series, 191, 192, 195; MECENG 190K, 191AC, 191K. Students may use three units of credit for work on a research project in MATSCI H194 (Honors Undergraduate Research) for the engineering elective. Other letter graded research courses may be approved by petition. Typically, this elective should be offered by a department within the College of Engineering or from the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering.

Student Learning Goals

Learning Goals of the Major

Measured Curricular Outcomes

The program is designed around a set of curricular outcomes. Specifically, upon completion of our ABET accredited program in Materials Science and Engineering, the graduate will possess the following skills:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex 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.

Educational Objectives for Graduates

Stated succinctly, graduates from the program will have the following skills: 

  1. Use the fundamental science and engineering principles relevant to materials that include the relationships between nano/microstructure, characterization, properties, processing, performance and design of materials.
  2. Use their knowledge of the significance of research, the value of continued learning and environmental/social issues surrounding materials.
  3. Use the technical and communication skills developed in the program as a foundation for careers in engineering, research and development, the pursuit of advanced education and other professional careers.
  4. Use lifelong learning skills to develop knowledge and skills, to pursue new areas of expertise and careers, and to take advantage of professional development opportunities.
  5. Become leaders in their fields who will contribute to bettering society.

Major Map

Major Maps help undergraduate students discover academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities at UC Berkeley based on intended major or field of interest. Developed by the Division of Undergraduate Education in collaboration with academic departments, these experience maps will help you:

  • Explore your major and gain a better understanding of your field of study

  • Connect with people and programs that inspire and sustain your creativity, drive, curiosity and success

  • Discover opportunities for independent inquiry, enterprise, and creative expression

  • Engage locally and globally to broaden your perspectives and change the world

  • Reflect on your academic career and prepare for life after Berkeley

Use the major map below as a guide to planning your undergraduate journey and designing your own unique Berkeley experience.

View the Materials Science and Engineering Major Map PDF.

Academic Opportunities

Undergraduate Research

There is nothing more tangible in engineering products than the materials of which they are made, and this fact dominates the research agenda in materials science & engineering around the world. At Berkeley, research programs in new materials synthesis, processing, characterization, integration, and theoretical modeling dominate the laboratory space and multiple servers dedicated to basic and applied research programs in the department, including many that are conducted at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to meet with the many faculty members in the department who sponsor student research projects and learn about the many exciting options available to them. Sometimes a new student’s research experience begins by shadowing a senior graduate student to learn the ropes, but sometimes the project is fully unique, and exclusively theirs! Undergraduate students can earn units for their research efforts by enrolling in MAT SCI 199, which is offered on a Pass/No Pass basis. Another option is an honors thesis project, MAT SCI H194, offered to qualified students as a graded course, which can therefore be counted as an upper division technical elective. There are also a number of paid research positions, especially over the summer. Students should not be shy about asking and should consider adding materials research to their undergraduate experience at Berkeley.

Student Groups and Organizations

The Materials Science & Engineering Association (MSEA) serves a large number of students on the Berkeley campus, including many non-majors, who know that a future in the materials disciplines is an enticing career option. Officers in MSEA sponsor both scholarly and social events to broaden undergraduates’ experiences here, and through a professional connection called Materials Advantage, students can join four national materials societies to launch their professional careers early.

Undergraduate students in the department are also highly respected members of several engineering student projects because of the materials issues involved. These include the Solar Car (CalSol) project, the Formula SAE race car team, the Human Powered Vehicle team, the Supermileage Vehicle team, and others offering deep immersion in actual engineering design and construction of a functional product. For students interested in shaping a carbon-fiber skin component or welding a 6061 aluminum alloy roll bar component, there are many opportunities to learn these and other valuable skills as a student in MSE.

Courses

Materials Science and Engineering

Contact Information

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

210 Hearst Memorial Mining Building

Phone: 510-642-3801

Fax: 510-643-5792

Visit Department Website

Department Chair

Lane Martin

216 Hearst Memorial Mining Building

lwmartin@berkeley.edu

Graduate Student Services Advisor

Ariana Castro

210 Hearst Memorial Mining Building

Phone: 510-642-0716

arianap@berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Student Services Advisor

Medina Kohzad

210 Hearst Memorial Mining Building

medinakohzad@berkeley.edu

Engineering Student Services Advisor

Mayra Rivera

230 Bechtel Engineering Center

http://engineering.berkeley.edu/ESS

m.rivera@berkeley.edu

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