Materials Science &
Engineering

Career potential

Almost everything we use in modern society is built with synthetic materials. With a bachelor of science degree from the University of North Texas in materials science and engineering, you will know how to make materials functional, reliable and useful. This is accomplished through design, processing and characterization of materials having controlled compositions, structures and properties.

Materials scientists and materials engineers work to make cars and airplanes lighter and more fuel efficient; develop smaller and faster computer chips; or design materials for night vision optics, lasers, sensors and other high-tech military systems. They also help determine if certain materials have medical benefits and decide which materials function best as insulating tiles and adhesives for the space shuttle.

Upon graduation, you can expect plentiful job opportunities with high starting salaries in a variety of industries. Jobs are available in small and large companies in research, development, manufacturing, marketing, and materials design and structures. You might work in such industries as aerospace, appliance, automotive, biomedical, communication, computer, construction, forensics, manufacturing, microelectronics, nanotechnology, nuclear, oil and gas, power generation, shipbuilding, or sports. Or you might work in a government laboratory or in another field.

To be a qualified materials scientist/engineer, you will need to earn at least a bachelor's degree in materials science and engineering or a related field such as metallurgy, ceramics, polymers or electronic materials. A bachelor's degree also will prepare you to pursue a master's or Ph.D. degree in materials science and engineering or a related field.

UNT's Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies, and interview preparation.

Majoring in materials science and engineering

UNT's undergraduate materials science and engineering degree program is the first of its kind in the Dallas-Fort Worth region and only the third offered in Texas.

During your first two years in the program, you will take common core courses in art, business, management, humanities, chemistry, physics, calculus, engineering mechanics and professional presentations. Your remaining course work will consist mostly of materials science and engineering courses. These courses will cover the physical, chemical, electrical and mechanical properties of various materials including metals, ceramics, polymers, electronic materials, biomaterials and nanomaterials. You will also learn how materials are made, how they behave or degrade, and how their structures and properties are measured and quantified.

As you progress through the program, the curriculum will build on the principles you learned in previous years. You will complete a senior project in which you will work closely with a faculty member to gain relevant research experience. This project will allow you to use some of the unique and sophisticated equipment housed in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The project will also help you determine whether you are ready to seek employment or pursue an advanced degree after completing your bachelor's degree.

While pursuing your degree, you could become active in some of the professional materials societies. These societies hold local and national meetings at which you can interact with students and professionals from other institutions, allowing you to build a network of professional acquaintances.

You will have a chance to earn scholarships throughout your studies based on your academic performance.

Getting hands-on experience

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering has an industrial advisory board consisting of senior scientists and engineers from local companies. Many of these companies offer internship and co-op opportunities, which frequently lead to job offers upon graduation.

Upon completion of 12 semester hours at UNT with at least a 2.5 GPA, you may work in a job related to your major through UNT's Cooperative Education and Internships office. You may earn academic credit and money and gain valuable work experience.

Preparing for UNT

If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:

• English … 4 years
• Math … 4 years
• Social science – economics, geography, government, history … 4 years
• Science … 3 years
• Foreign language … 3 years
• Fine arts … 1 year

You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.

As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor/ advisor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Charting your path with academic advising

Faculty members in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering care about your success and will help you select courses necessary for your degree plan. They can also provide you career guidance, offer career advice and answer questions you might have about the discipline or courses. The department office is at Discovery Park, Room E132.

Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.