This page was designed for view with the newer family of browsers. Please pardon the unstyled format of this page.

Office of the University Registrar

2009-10 Undergraduate Catalog

Majors

Materials Science and Engineering
College: Engineering
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering
Hours for the Degree: 125
Specialties: Biomaterials, Ceramics, Electronic Materials, Metals, Polymers
Minor: Yes
Combined-Degree Program: Yes
Website: www.mse.ufl.edu/students/prospective/degrees

Everything Americans use is composed of materials, from computer chips to flexible concrete skyscrapers, from plastic bags to artificial hips, from fiber optical cables to automobiles. Materials science and engineering makes these materials reliable and useful through design, processing and analysis of controlled compositions, microstructures and properties.

The bachelor's degree program provides a broad materials science and engineering core with specialization in ceramics, electronic materials, metals or polymers. Biomaterials also is taught at the combined bachelor's/master's level.

Mission

The department strives to serve the scientific and engineering community of the state and nation by providing quality education in the field, conducting basic and applied research to enhance science in the field, and supplying short courses, technology transfer, industrial consulting and distance learning to promote engineering in the field.

Educational Objectives

The program objectives of the MSE program at the University of Florida are to produce engineering practitioners and graduate students who in three to five years after graduation will be
  • Problem solvers: using their technical skills to advance society, science and technology;
  • Designers: using their knowledge to improve systems, components or processes;
  • Professionals: using their professional skills to create solutions and advance their ideas; and
  • Role models: creating solutions that meet the needs of society.


Admission Requirements

It is the department’s policy to admit the best-qualified transfer applicants as demonstrated by academic achievement.
Successful applicants must have earned an overall 2.5 grade point average, based on the first two attempts, in the eight preprofessional courses and have earned a grade of C or higher in each course of Calculus 1 (MAC 2311), Calculus 2 (MAC 2312), Claculus 3 (MAC 2313), Differential Equations (MAP 2302), General Chemsitry 1 (CHM 2045) with lab, General Chemistry 2 (CHM 2046) with lab, Physics with Calculus 1 (PHY 2048) with lab, and Physics with Calculus 2 (PHY 2049) with lab. Only the first two attempts (including withdrawals) in each course will be considered for admission to or retention in the department. A cumulative gpa of 2.0 or greater is required for all courses.

Department Requirements

A minimum grade of C or higher is required in ENC 3254.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. The department encourages students to accept internships and opportunities to study abroad. However, it is highly recommended that students seek academic advising for appropriate registration planning.

Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan

Semester 1:

  • 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
  • 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework for semesters 1-5
  • Complete 1 of 8 critical-tracking courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts: CHM 2045, CHM 2046, MAC 2311, MAC 2312, MAC 2313, MAP 2302, PHY 2048, PHY 2049

Semester 2:

  • Complete 1 additional course with a minimum grade of C within two attempts

Semester 3:

  • Complete 2 additional courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts

Semester 4:

  • Complete 2 additional courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts

Semester 5:

  • Complete all 8 critical-tracking courses with a minimum grade of C in each course within two attempts

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

Recommended semester plan

Semester 1Credits
If you don't place out of ENC 1101, take it in the fall.
CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1 (GE-P)3
CHM 2045L General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (GE-P)1
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M)4
Humanities (GE-H)3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Total 14
Semester 2Credits
CHM 2046 General Chemistry 2 (GE-P)3
CHM 2046L General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (GE-P)1
MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE-M)4
ENC 3254 Professional Writing in the Discipline (GE-C)3
Humanities (GE-H)3
Total 14
Semester 3Credits
CHM 2200 Basic Organic Chemistry 3
EIN 4354 Engineering Economy (3) or
MAN 3025 Principles of Management (4) or
MAR 3023 Principles of Marketing (4)
3-4
MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (GE-M)4
PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1 (GE-P)3
PHY 2048L Laboratory for PHY 2048 (GE-P)1
Computer programming course (CGS 2421 or see adviser)2
Total 16-17
Semester 4Credits
EGM 2511 Engineering Mechanics - Statics3
EMA 3010 Materials 3
EMA 3800 Error Analyses and Optimization Methodologies in Materials Research3
MAP 2302 Elementary Differential Equations3
PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 23
PHY 2049L Laboratory for PHY 20491
Total 16
Semester 5Credits
EEL 3003 Elements of Electrical Engineering3
Humanities (GE-H) or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Technical electives3
Total 9
Semester 6Credits
EGM 3520 Mechanics of Materials3
EMA 3050 Introduction to Inorganic Materials3
EMA 3066 Introduction to Organic Materials3
EMA 3080C Materials Laboratory 12
EMA 4314 Energetics and Kinetics in Materials Processing3
Total 14
Semester 7Credits
EMA 3013C Materials Laboratory 22
EMA 3413 Introduction to Electronic Materials3
EMA 3513C Analysis of Structure of Materials4
EMA 4121 Interfacial Engineering3
EMA 4223 Mechanical Behavior of Materials3
Total 15

Specialty: Biomaterials
Specialty: Ceramics
Specialty: Electronic Materials
Specialty: Metals
Specialty: Polymers

Specialty: Biomaterials

Semester 8Credits
BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 13
EMA 4125 Transport Phenomena in Materials Processing3
EMA 4324 Stability of Materials3
EMA 4913 Research in Materials Science and Engineering 1 (2) or
EMA 4915 Integrated Product and Process Design Program 1 (3)
2-3
EMA 4935 Special Topics3
Total 14-15
Semester 9Credits
Biomaterials elective (see adviser for list)2
EMA 4062 Biopolymers: Manufacture, Stability and Biocompatibility3
EMA 4714 Materials Selection and Failure Analysis3
EMA 4914 Research in Materials Science and Engineering 2 (2) or
EMA 4916 Integrated Product and Process Design Program 2 (3)
2-3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Total 13-14

This specialization requires three hours of technical electives.

Specialty: Ceramics

Semester 8Credits
EMA 4041L Advanced Ceramics Laboratory 11
EMA 4125 Transport Phenomena in Materials Processing3
EMA 4144 Physical Ceramics 13
EMA 4324 Stability of Materials3
EMA 4913 Research in Materials Science and Engineering 1 (2) or
EMA 4915 Integrated Product and Process Design Program 1 (3)
2-3
Total 12-13
Semester 9Credits
EMA 4042L Advanced Ceramics Laboratory 21
EMA 4145 Physical Ceramics 23
EMA 4645 Processing of Ceramic Materials3
EMA 4714 Materials Selection and Failure Analysis3
EMA 4914 Research in Materials Science and Engineering 2 (2) or
EMA 4916 Integrated Product and Process Design Program 2 (3)
2-3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Total 15-16

This specialization requires three hours of technical electives.

Specialty: Electronic Materials

Semester 8Credits
EEE 3396 Solid-State Electronic Devices3
EMA 4125 Transport Phenomena in Materials Processing3
EMA 4324 Stability of Materials3
EMA 4614 Production of Electronic Materials3
EMA 4913 Research in Materials Science and Engineering 1 (2) or
EMA 4915 Integrated Product and Process Design Program 1 (3)
2-3
Total 14-15
Semester 9 Credits
EMA 3414C Characterization of Electronic Materials2
EMA 4615 Compound Semiconductor Materials3
EMA 4714 Materials Selection and Failure Analysis3
EMA 4914 Research in Materials Science and Engineering 2 (2) or
EMA 4916 Integrated Product and Process Design Program 2 (3)
2-3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Total 13-14

This specialization requires three hours of technical electives.

Specialty: Metals

Semester 8Credits
EMA 4120 Physical Metallurgy3
EMA 4125 Transport Phenomena in Materials Processing3
EMA 4324 Stability of Materials3
EMA 4913 Research in Materials Science and Engineering 1 (2) or
EMA 4915 Integrated Product and Process Design 1 (3)
2-3
Technical electives1
Total 12-13
Semester 9 Credits
EMA 4224 Physical Metallurgy 23
EMA 4623C Process Metallurgy4
EMA 4714 Materials Selection and Failure Analysis3
EMA 4914 Research in Materials Science and Engineering 2 (2) or
EMA 4916 Integrated Product and Process Design 2 (3)
2-3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Total 15-16

This specialization requires four hours of technical electives.

Specialty: Polymers

Semester 8Credits
EMA 4125 Transport Phenomena in Processing3
EMA 4161C Physical Properties of Polymers 4
EMA 4324 Stability of Materials3
EMA 4666C Polymer Processing4
EMA 4913 Research in Materials Science and Engineering 1 (2) or
EMA 4915 Integrated Product and Process Design 1 (3)
2-3
Total 16-17
Semester 9 Credits
CHM 4272 The Organic Chemistry of Polymers2
EMA 4714 Materials Selection and Failure Analysis3
EMA 4914 Research in Materials Science and Engineering 2 (2) or
EMA 4916 Integrated Product and Process Design 2 (3)
2-3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S)3
Technical elective1
Total 11-12

This specialization requires four hours of technical electives.