Our quality of life is increasingly dependent upon technological innovation, which is frequently enabled by (or limited by) the availability of advanced materials, from polymers and ceramics to semiconductors and superalloys, including the newly emerging nanomaterials and biomaterials. Composites combine the best properties of two or more classes of materials into hybrid materials with enhanced properties. Materials Science is the study of processing-structure-property relationships in materials of import to society. Special attention is paid to “microstructure,” i.e., how materials are constructed on the microscopic and sub-microscopic (even nanometer) level, and how this affects their properties. State-of-the-art instruments, like electron microscopes and atom probes, are often used in the study of materials. Given the wide range of uses for materials, properties of interest are similarly broad, from mechanical (e.g., strength) to electrical (e.g., semiconduction) to biological (e.g., biocompatibility).

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University was the first such program anywhere, and is consistently ranked as one of the best programs nationwide. Outstanding classroom and laboratory instruction, plus the opportunity for undergraduates to participate in cutting-edge research, are hallmarks of the department.

The program in Materials Science offers students in Weinberg College the opportunity to study materials science within the context of the college’s focus on liberal arts and sciences, and is distinct from the engineering context offered by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science. There are strong connections with the physical and biological sciences, as well as with the various engineering disciplines; dual majors and minors in Materials Science are strongly encouraged.

Building upon a solid mathematics, chemistry, and physics foundation, the major in Materials Science employs a 5-course core curriculum for general underpinning in the science of materials. Student can then opt for a “general materials” track or a “soft materials” track, the latter concentrating on polymer and/or biomaterials courses. This track is also recommended for pre-medicine students. To complete each program, students must take three electives of their choosing to fulfill an “advanced studies” requirement. An honors program is available, which requires students to complete two units of research and a written research report.

The program degree in Materials Science is complementary to the Materials Physics concentration track of the major in Physics. Together, the Materials Science Major and the Physics Major offer opportunity for a comprehensive study of Materials Science in the WCAS at Northwestern University.

The Minor in Materials Science involves appropriate mathematics, chemistry, and physics prerequisites along with a course in thermodynamics. The 4-course core curriculum provides a general underpinning in the science of materials, followed by two advanced Materials Science electives of the student’s choosing.

Graduates of Materials Science go on to careers in industry or seek higher degrees in graduate or professional schools. They enter fields such as research and development, quality assurance, marketing, management, education, etc.

Major in Materials Science:

Requirements include foundation courses in mathematics and science and advanced
electives. Course descriptions for materials science courses are listed in the McCormick School section of the undergraduate course catalog.

Foundations in mathematics (5 units)
· MATH 220, 224, 230, 234, and 240 or equivalent (291-1,2,3 for MENU; 2811,2,3 for ISP)
Foundations in science (5 or 6 units)
· CHEM 101; 102; 103 or 171; 172
· PHYSICS 135-1,2,3 or 125-1,2,3
Students in the soft materials track who are interested in biomaterials and/or medicine
are encouraged to take additional courses in biology. BIOL SCI 210-2 is highly
recommended.
Core curriculum (5 units)
· MAT SCI 201, 315, 316-1,2, 351-1
Program track (5 units)
Students take courses in their chosen track:
General materials track
· CHEM 210-1 or 212-1
· CHEM 342-1 or MAT SCI 314
· MAT SCI 331; 2 courses chosen from 332, 351-2, 361
Soft materials track
· CHEM 210-1,2 or 212-1,2
· CHEM 342-1 or MAT SCI 314
· MAT SCI 331; 335 or 370
Advanced studies (3 units): 3 elective courses must be taken in at least 2 areas, including 1 in materials science, chosen from the following:
· CHEM 210-3 or 212-3, 333, 335, 342-2, 342-3, 345
· GEOL SCI 302
· MATH 250, 351
· MAT SCI 322, 332, 333, 335, 340, 341, 351-2, 355, 360, 361, 370, 376, 380, 385, 390, 391, 395, 398
· PHYSICS 332, 333-1, 333-2, 337, 339-3, 359-3

Students completing the materials physics concentration in physics and astronomy and wishing to double major in materials science are required to take an additional advanced studies course for each course duplicated between the two programs (e.g., MAT SCI 316-1,2; 332, 355, 360, 380). The replacement courses should be in disciplines other than physics.

Minor in Materials Science

Prerequisites
· MATH 220, 224, 230, and 234 or equivalent (e.g., 290-2,3 or 291-2,3)
· CHEM 101; 102; 103 or 171; 172
· PHYSICS 135-1,2,3 (or 125-1,2,3)
· 1 course in thermodynamics: MAT SCI 314 or CHEM 342-1 or PHYSICS 332
Core courses (6 units)
· MAT SCI 201, 203, or 301; 315; 316-1,2
· 2 other 300-level MAT SCI courses (excluding 394, 396-1,2, 399)

Materials Science Second Major for ISP Students
The Integrated Science Program is a highly selective program within the Weinberg College. Students majoring in ISP who wish to complete a second major in materials science must take MAT SCI 201, 315, and 316-1,2 plus two 300-level MAT SCI electives.

Honors in Materials Science
Seniors who have done outstanding work in the classroom and research laboratory may be eligible for graduation with honors in material science. To be recommended for honors, students must maintain a grade point average of 3.3 or higher in all math and science courses. They must also complete two units of research (CHEM 398 or 399, MAT SCI 396-1,2, or 394; PHYSICS 398 or 399) and a written research report.

To WCAS web site: http://www.wcas.northwestern.edu/advising/matsci.html
MSE home: http://www.matsci.northwestern.edu/