Materials Science and Engineering Major
Students graduate from the materials science and engineering major ready to take on society’s sophisticated needs for materials in advanced technologies. Students learn to design, process and characterize materials with improved performance and sustainability for wide-ranging uses, including renewable energy storage and conversion, health and medical technology, computing and communications.
Materials scientists and engineers create and study materials at the atomic level, study and select materials for specific uses, extend the limited supply of materials, or explore the boundaries of new materials. As a student, you are offered a balance of technical breadth and depth delivered by a department internationally recognized as a leader in the field. You will emerge with the vision to identify a need, perform analysis and deliver a solution.
Drexel Engineering incorporates hands-on experience in all aspects of learning. Through exposure to the latest tools of the trade, technology, research opportunities, real-world incorporation into the classroom and the Drexel Co-op, you will emerge ready to start a career making an impact.
Tracks in Materials Science and Engineering
Electives allow you to follow your interests by taking a themed study track with a particular specialization. The tracks within materials science and engineering include:
- Materials for Energy: Explore advanced materials and processing techniques being used to improve the capacity, efficiency, reliability and durability of energy generation, supercapacitors, batteries, wind turbines and storage devices like solar cells. Applications run from household, automotive, communications to medical use, and can also improve the lives of people in emerging economies.
- Materials for Medical Technologies: Learn about and understand the structure, composition and processing of materials used to treat and prevent diseases, enable tissue engineering, and advance medical device technology.
- Materials for Sustainability: Study the climate change and environmental impact of unchecked and inefficient consumption of natural resources, greenhouse gas emitting materials processing, and the use of toxic materials, in order to drive the use of more sustainable materials. Advances will influence critical areas of society including construction and infrastructure, electronics, consumer products and packaging, and transportation.
- Manufacturing and Materials Processing: Innovate and evolve traditional and emerging materials applications in many key manufacturing processes. These include additive manufacturing such as 3D printing, powder metallurgy, computational materials design, and advanced materials synthesis techniques that are increasingly being used in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors.
- Custom track: Work with your advisor to create a cohesive group of technical electives focused on your interests. This works well for students wanting to explore Soft Materials, Electronic/ Photonic Materials or other types of materials applications specializations.
Minors
Many students combine a minor within the College of Engineering. Students can minor in an any area, not just engineering. Popular minors include business, product design and entrepreneurship.
Hometown: Townson, Maryland
Major: Materials Science and Engineering
Class Year: 2024
Marley's Story
Drexel Engineering Co-Op
Co-op crystalizes understanding of your chosen field. You come away knowing more about your options for a career path, your preferred work environment, and your focus within your chosen discipline. The context you gain provides you with the ability to start your career ready to make a difference.
Learn more about co-op.
Curriculum and Requirements
Materials Science and Engineering students are required to successfully complete 186.5 credits for graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering. The required courses for the degree are a combination of engineering and elective courses that empower students to pursue their interests in the field.
Visit the Drexel Catalog for more information or learn more about our admissions requirements.
Student Experience
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