Undergraduate Education

Objective

The objectives of the undergraduate program in MSE are to educate graduates who:

  • know the fundamental science and engineering principles relevant to materials
     
  • understand the relationship between nano/microstructure, characterization, properties and processing and design of materials
     
  • have the experimental and computational skills for a professional career or graduate study in materials
     
  • possess a knowledge of the significance of research, the value of continued learning and environmental/social issues surrounding materials
     
  • are able to communicate effectively, to work in teams and to assume positions as leaders.

Undergraduate Research

Since 1868, UC Berkeley's Materials Science and Engineering Department (then called the College of Mining) has been educating the best Engineers in the world, and conducting cutting edge research. (For example, a Berkeley graduate invented the mouse, and a Berkeley professor wrote the code that is used for the design of solid state circuits.)

Today, this tradition continues. The faculty of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering is extremely actively engaged in research. This provides an important context for all of the courses taught within the Department, and it is common for faculty members to draw examples for their courses from their present research efforts.

More importantly, uper division undergraduate students within the Department have the opportunity to participate directly in faculty research efforts. The campus has a number of programs aimed at getting undergraduates involved in research. However, many students simply join a faculty members research effort after making personal contact with the faculty member.

Either way, undergraduate research experience can be an important part of a Cal education. It presents the opportunity for the student to apply knowledge learned in courses within a research context. Further, the experience gained can make the student more attractive to both future employers, and graduate school admissions committees.