Materials Science and Engineering, BSE

The Materials Science and Engineering, BSE at the University of Pennsylvania gives students extensive opportunities to gain practical experience through laboratory courses, design projects, computational work, and undergraduate research. Students work with advanced materials-testing and characterisation techniques while developing skills in experimentation, data analysis, prototyping, teamwork, and technical communication. The program also provides opportunities to explore areas such as nanotechnology, biomaterials, energy, electronics, and sustainable materials through specialised coursework and research. The practical learning opportunities include:

• Materials Lab I: Students gain hands-on experience with thermal testing, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mechanical testing. They also develop skills in MATLAB, statistics, error analysis, teamwork, and technical reporting.

• Materials Lab II: Students work with phase transformations in metals, electron-microscopy image analysis, thin-film fabrication, nanomaterials synthesis, quantum-dot technologies, and photovoltaic materials. MATLAB is used for image analysis, plotting data, and analysing experimental results.

• Materials Lab III: Students gain advanced laboratory experience through ceramic superconductor synthesis, X-ray diffraction, X-ray scattering, and surface modification and contact-angle measurements. They also design their own experiments, analyse results as a team, and prepare technical reports and presentations.

• Senior Design: MSE 4950 and MSE 4960 provide a two-semester capstone experience in which students develop an original experimental or theoretical project addressing a real-world materials science, engineering, product, or device challenge. Students work with a scientific advisor while developing project management, teamwork, research, networking, and communication skills.

• Group Projects: MSE 1010 Introduction to Materials Science & Engineering includes a group project where students investigate an industrial area and consider how materials science can help address important challenges. Students also gain practical design experience through projects such as designing a pint glass for laser engraving and creating a ceramic beer stein.

• Micro- and Nanofabrication: MSE 4650 Fabrication and Characterization of Micro and Nanostructured Materials provides laboratory experience with photolithography, soft lithography, nanoimprint lithography, 3D printing, and self-assembly. Students complete individual and group laboratory projects and a final project.

• Computational Tools: MSE 4600 Computational Materials Science develops computational skills relevant to materials engineering. Students also use MATLAB in laboratory courses for image analysis, data processing, plotting, and technical presentations.

• Advanced Research Methods: MSE 5000 Experimental Methods in Materials Science introduces students to techniques including atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction and scattering, mechanical testing with image capture, and dynamic light scattering. Students also work with data-collection and analysis software and gain experience with LabVIEW for customising experiments.

• Independent Research: MSE 0099 Undergraduate Research and/or Independent Study allows students to work directly with a professor on a research project or independent study. Penn's Materials Science and Engineering program also highlights guaranteed research experience, giving students an opportunity to develop practical research skills during their undergraduate studies.

• Specialised Research Areas: Students can focus their studies through areas such as Biomaterials and Biomimetics, Electronic and Optical Devices and Sensors, Energy and Sustainability, Product Design, Nanotechnology, and Artificial Intelligence. These areas allow students to connect materials science with applications such as bioelectronics, energy storage, nanofabrication, machine learning, and advanced product development.

The Materials Science and Engineering, BSE at the University of Pennsylvania prepares graduates for a wide range of career paths because materials science plays an important role in fields such as energy, healthcare, electronics, transportation, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology. The program also gives students the flexibility to move into technical careers as well as research, consulting, entrepreneurship, investment, policy, and law.

Typical career roles include: Materials Engineer, Materials Scientist, Research and Development Engineer, Product Development Engineer

Students can strengthen their career prospects through:

• Penn Career Services: Students have access to career advising and an interactive outcomes platform where they can explore graduate destinations by class year, school, and major or concentration. The resources include information on employers, job titles, graduate schools, salaries, and different career pathways.

• Employment and salary information: Penn Career Services maintains first-destination information covering employment, further education, employers, job titles, and salaries. A current salary figure specifically for Materials Science and Engineering BSE graduates is not published on the official program page, so a program-specific salary should not be assumed.

• Industry opportunities: The program prepares students for applications across transportation, energy, medical implants, electronics, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and other technology-focused industries. Students can also explore entrepreneurship, product development, research, and innovation.

• Research opportunities: Penn Engineering provides undergraduate students with opportunities to work in advanced research laboratories during the academic year and summer. Students can also participate in the Rachleff Scholars Program, gaining research experience with Penn Engineering faculty while joining a community of students interested in research.

• Long-term accreditation value: The Materials Science and Engineering BSE is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. This provides a recognised quality benchmark for the engineering education students receive and adds long-term professional value to the degree.

• Graduation outcomes: Penn identifies a wide range of potential destinations for Materials Science and Engineering graduates, including start-up founders, management consultants, scientists, engineers, investors, policymakers, and patent attorneys. This broad range of opportunities allows graduates to apply their materials expertise across technical, commercial, research, legal, and policy environments.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BSE, students can continue into master's or doctoral study in Materials Science and Engineering and related areas such as nanotechnology, biomaterials, energy, electronics, polymers, metals, and computational materials science. Students interested in research can use Penn's research opportunities and faculty guidance to prepare for advanced study and specialised research careers.