Our MSE Undergraduate Curriculum

MSE in many ways is one of the broadest degrees that you can receive in engineering. At the heart of our curriculum is the understanding of how the structure of matter is manipulated to create materials with valuable properties (mechanical, electrical, optical etc.) that will address the problems in the world – from energy to consumer electronics to construction to healthcare. As such, armed with an MSE degree you will have the ability to invent technologies that can shape any industry.

We also have been very thoughtful in how we are teaching our courses and pull specific threads through our core MSE courses (like writing and presentation giving) to ensure that all our graduates are armed with real world skills that will complement their technical prowess.

Sample Curriculum for Students Entering Fall 2020 & After

37 Credit Units

Year 1

Fall Spring
MATH 104/1400
CHEM 101/1012
CHEM 053/1101
PHYS  140/0140/or MEAM 110/1100
ENGR 1010 or ENGR Elective
MATH 114/1410
CHEM 102/1022
PHYS 141/0141
ENGR 105/1050
SS/H (WRIT)

Year 2

Fall Spring
MATH 240/2400
MSE 201/2010
MSE 220/2200
MSE 221/2210
EAS 203/2030 (Ethics)
MATH 241/2410 or ENM 251/2510
MSE 202/2020
MSE 215/2150
MSE 260/2600
SS/H

Year 3

Fall Spring
MSE 301/3010
MSE 330/3300
MSE 360/3600
MATH
TECH Elective
MSE 393/3930
MSE Elective
TECH Elective
SS/H
SS/H/TBS

Year 4

Fall Spring
MSE 460/4600
MSE 495/4950
MSE Elective
SS/H
SS/H/TBS
MSE 405/4050
MSE 440/4400
MSE 496/4960
FREE Elective

1. Tech Electives are Engineering, Natural Science, or Mathematics courses.

2. VIPER Program: Students may substitute VIPER 120/1200 & 121/1210 for EAS 203/2030.

3. M&T joint degree or dual degree with Wharton (or with College) may use up to two (200/2000 level and up) “NON” engineering courses in the non-engineering concentration in the Tech elective category, by submitting the MSE Course Substitution Form.

4. EAS 545/5450 & EAS 546/5460 can be Tech electives, by submitting the MSE Course Substitution Form.

Course Planning Guide for MSE Students Entering Fall 2020 & After

Sample Curriculum for Students Entering Before Fall 2020

40 Total Credit Units

Year 1

Fall Spring
MATH 104/1400
CHEM 101/1012
CHEM 053/1101
PHYS  140/0140/or MEAM 110/1100
ENGR Elective
SSH (e.g. writing requirement)
MATH 114/1410
CHEM 102/1022
CHEM 054/1102
PHYS 141/0141
ENGR 105/1050

Year 2

Fall Spring
MATH 240/2400
MSE 220/2200
MSE 221/2210
TECH Elective
SSH: EAS 203/2030
MATH 241/2410 or ENM251/2510
MSE 215/2150
MSE 250
MSE 260/2600
SSH

Year 3

Fall Spring
MSE 330/3300
MSE 360/3600
ENGR Elective
Mathematics
FREE Elective
MSE 393/3930
TECH Elective
SSH
FREE Elective
FREE Elective

Year 4

Fall Spring
MSE 460/4600
MSE 495/4950
TECH Elective
SSH
SSH
MSE 405/4050
MSE 440/4400
MSE 496/4960
SSH
ENGR Elective

1. Tech Electives are Engineering, Natural Science, or Mathematics courses.

2. VIPER Program: Students may substitute VIPER 120/1200 and 121/1210 for EAS 203/2030.

3. M&T joint degree or dual degree with Wharton (or with College) may use up to two (200/2000 level and up) “NON” engineering courses in the non-engineering concentration in the Tech elective category, by submitting the MSE Course Substitution Form.

4. EAS 545/5450 & EAS 546/5460 can be Tech electives, by submitting the MSE Course Substitution Form.

Course Planning Guide for MSE Students Entering Before Fall 2020*

*and after Fall 2017.
For MSE Majors who entered before Fall 2017, please contact Vicky Lee for planning materials.

MSE Concentrations

Within a major, students can pursue concentrations that will appear in their official transcript. Within MSE we offer three concentrations:

  1. Electronic and Optical Devices and Sensors
  2. Energy and Sustainability
  3. Nanotechnology

Read more about MSE Concentrations here.