2025-2026 Academic Catalog
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Materials engineers and scientists study the structure and properties of engineering materials on scales ranging from the atomic through the microscopic to the macroscopic. These materials include ceramics and glasses, metals, polymers, composites, biomaterials, nanomaterials, semiconductors, and electronic, magnetic, and photonic materials. Materials engineers develop new materials, improve traditional materials, and manufacture materials economically through synthesis, processing, and fabrication. They seek to understand physical and chemical phenomena in material structures and to measure and characterize materials properties of all kinds including mechanical, electrical, optical, magnetic, thermal, and chemical. They predict and evaluate the performance of materials as structural or functional elements in engineering systems and structures. They work in teams with engineers in other disciplines in selecting, designing and processing materials for optimal performance.
Significant opportunities exist for graduates in the aerospace, automobile, transportation, medical, microelectronics, telecommunications, chemical, petroleum, energy storage, power generation, and energy conservation industries, as well as within the basic industries producing materials--for example, the copper, aluminum, steel, ceramics, glass, and polymer industries. Opportunities also exist in government-operated engineering centers and research laboratories. Graduates work in entry level engineering, manufacturing, materials selection and design, quality assurance and control, research and development, technical consulting, management, and sales and marketing. Graduates have an excellent background for continuing education in science, engineering, medicine, law (e.g. patent law), and business.
The Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering (BSMSE) degree program at Virginia Tech is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Materials, Metallurgical, Ceramics and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
The goal of the BS degree program in MSE is to provide the educational foundation that enables alumni to pursue their personal career objectives. Historically, the majority of our alumni become valued members of industrial and/or research teams within the field of materials science or related technical disciplines while a smaller percentage pursue graduate education or other personal career objectives.
The program educational objectives for the BSMSE degree program are to produce alumni who are:
Upon completion of the undergraduate program curriculum in Materials Science and Engineering, students will attain the following outcomes:
Students typically enter the MSE Department following completion of their first-year studies within the College of Engineering, as administered by the Department of Engineering Education (ENGE); a description of required first year coursework can be found within the ENGE section of this catalog.
In addition to foundation courses in MSE, students tailor an individualized program of elective study. 12 credits of technical electives will be selected to emphasize certain subdisciplines of MSE (e.g., metals, ceramics, polymers, electronic materials, composites, biomaterials, nanomaterials, etc.) or to prepare for a career in an engineering application area. Course-work totals 126 credit hours as detailed in the University Catalog at Program Explorer | Virginia Tech.
The undergraduate curriculum contains a nationally recognized integrated program of instruction in engineering communication including writing, public speaking, proposal preparation, reporting, research skills, critical and creative thinking, and graphical presentation. More information regarding this unique program can be found at https://mse.vt.edu/Programs.html
The undergraduate program culminates with a two-semester team-oriented engineering design capstone project in which the students address a significant problem in their area of special interest.
The MSE students have pursued various minors including Green Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics, Music, Nuclear, and various others.
Students of MSE can participate in the cooperative education program in which qualified students may alternate semesters of study with semesters of professional employment. (www.career.vt.edu/experience/ceip.html)
MSE also participates in the university honors degree options (see www.honorscollege.vt.edu).
Study abroad opportunities are also available Studying Abroad | Global Education Office | Virginia Tech.
Head: A. Noble (interim)
Jack E. Cowling Professor: D.D. Viehland
Professors: S.K. Kodambaka, G.Q. Lu, M. Murayama, G.R. Pickrell, and W.T. Reynolds Jr.
Associate Professors: A.O. Aning, L.V. Asryan, X. Bai, W. Cai, S.G. Corcoran, C. Hin, C. Tallon, A.R. Whittington1, and H. Yu.
Assistant Professors: T. Pham and T. Rost
Collegiate Associate Professor: T.W. Staley
Collegiate Assistant Professor: H. Kindlund and H.M. Elmkharram
Associate Professors of Practice: A.P. Druschitz, and S. McGinnis
Assistant Professor of Practice: C.B. Burgoyne
Research Associate Professors: J-F. Li and C.T.A. Suchicital
Research Assistant Professor: Y. Zhu
Professors Emeritus: J.J. Brown Jr., R.O. Claus, N.E. Dowling, D. Farkas, G.V. Gibbs, D.P.H. Hasselman, and R.W. Hendricks
Affiliated Faculty: R.C. Batra, M.J. Bortner, A. Brand, S.W. Case, R.V. Davalos, C. DiMarino, P. Dove, S. Emori, Y. Fu, A. Goldstein, J.R. Heflin, X. Jia, B. Johnson, B. Lattimer, G. Liu, F. Lin, R. Mahajan, R.B. Moore, A. Morris, K. Ngo, K. Park, L. Quan, N.L. Ross, J. Song, M. Van Dyke, C.B. Williams, R.H. Yoon, and Y. Zhang.
An introductory course designed for the student with a basic high school science background who wishes to understand and learn about the exciting materials developments which are affecting us all in todays world. The course will introduce the structures and properties of metals, ceramics, polymers (plastics), composites, and materials for electronic and optical applications. Students will also gain an appreciation for the processing and design limitations of materials used in everyday applications.
Introduction to the science of materials using everyday applications in modern society from medicine, transportation, sports, art, music, infrastructure, and electronics. Discussion of metals, ceramics, plastics, biomaterials, and hybrid materials based on the fundamental science dictating their structure properties, and processing. Considerations of tradeoffs between environmental sustainability, ethical and societal issues, and economics for materials choices.
Supplemental coverage of introductory topics not included in courses delivered to non-MSE majors.
This course is designed to introduce the non-MSE student to the structures and properties of metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites. In addition, students will gain an understanding of the processing and design limitations of these materials, as well as being introduced to new classes of materials being developed to meet the ever expanding range of material requirements. Non-MSE majors only.
This course is designed to introduce the MSE major to the structures and properties of metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and electronic materials. Students will also gain an understanding of the processing and design limitations of materials. Topics fundamental to the further study of materials, such as crystal structures, phase diagrams, and materials design and processing will be emphasized as foundations for future MSE courses.
Introduces MSE majors to fundamental underlying concepts governing phase equilibrium, microstructure, electronic properties of materials, and transport phenomena as a foundation to understanding materials behavior and processing.
Basic computational and graphical functions in mathematics oriented programming languages using data and engineering examples from the field of Materials Science. Students apply general methods to problems of their choice through mini- projects.
Topics on professional, communications, and leadership skills in entering the engineering workplace; building and presenting qualifications for professional development; expanding the professional network; and ethical, diversity, inclusion, and equity in the engineering workplace. Career gap analysis, team dynamics, resumes, job interviews, cover letters, scholarship essays, personal statements, professional development portfolios, case studies, poster presentations. Pre: Sophomore standing in the MSE major.
Mass transport (continuum and atomistic diffusion), heat transport and fluid flow (momentum transport). Analytical and computer based methods for solving transport problems.
Mechanical properties and behavior of engineering materials subjected to static, dynamic, creep, and fatigue loads under environments and stress states typical of service conditions; biaxial theories of failure; behavior of cracked bodies; microstructure-property relationships and design methodologies for homogeneous and composite materials.
Laboratory experiments on behavior and mechanical properties of solid materials. Tension, compression, bending, hardness, nano-indentation, and impact tests; behavior of cracked bodies; fatigue and crack growth tests; creep deformation; microstructure-property relationships; laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and computers.
Principles of modern mineralogy, crystal chemistry, and crystallography, with emphasis on mineral atomic structure and physical property relationships, mineralogy in the context of geology, geochemistry, environmental science and geophysics, phase equilibria, mineral associations, and mineral identification, and industrial applications of minerals. There are three required field trips during the semester.
Advanced computational and graphical methods in mathematics oriented programming languages. Students develop programs that solve and/or provide visualizations of solutions to materials science and engineering problems.
Provides a comprehensive foundation in crystallography including lattices, point groups, space groups, reciprocal lattices, properties of x-rays, and electron density maps, all leading to a formal description of structures and an interpretation of the published crystallographic data.
Introduction to the electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of solid-state materials. Development of atomic scale models for physical phenomena that are observable at the macroscopic scale. Connection is made between basic materials properties and the operational characteristics of selected solid-state devices.
Deformation of crystalline solids and its relationship to crystal structure and crystal defects: crystal structures of metals, dislocations and plastic deformation, vacancies, recovery, recrystallization, grain growth, deformation twinning and martensite.
Sample preparation for materials characterization techniques including various types of microscopy, spectroscopy, diffraction, and hardness testing. Instruction in the use of heat treating equipment and polishing and chemical etching procedures.
Introduction to metal casting processes; gating, risering, molding and puring. Hands-on experience. Emphasis on safe foundry practices. Oral and written reports are required.
The properties of foundry sand, molten metal and castings are measured using standard laboratory test procedures. Safe foundry practices are emphasized. Oral and written reports are required.
Provides comprehensive training in foundry safety procedures and policies. (May register multiple times).
Teamwork, ethical, professional, and communication practices in collaborative engineering environments; identification of areas of interest for potential senior design capstone projects; discipline-specific preliminary research in preparation for senior design projects: motivations and needs identification, broader impact (economic, social, environmental, and global), relevant theoretical concepts and methodologies, ethical engineering considerations, management logistic such identification of facilities and equipment, risk and safety analysis, critical paths and project timelines; basic project and time management; collaborative communications in written and oral form, personal professional development plans. Extends the basic treatment of these topics given in MSE 2884. Pre: Junior standing in the MSE major.
Topics in thermodynamics on the solution of materials selection and design related problems such as materials stability at high temperatures and in corrosive chemical environments. Thermodynamic principles important in controlling equilibrium in single component systems and multicomponent solid solutions and in establishing the thermodynamic driving force in kinetic processes which are important in materials processing unit operations. Estimation of thermodynamic properties and equilibrium calculations in multicomponent and multiphase systems.
Processing methods associated with powder synthesis, characterization, colloidal processing, and forming of powder compacts. Theory of solid state and liquid phase sintering.
4055: Selection of materials for engineering systems, based on constitutive analyses of functional requirements and material properties. 4056: The role and implications of processing on material selection.
4055: Selection of mateials for engineering systems, based on constitutive analyses of functional requirements and material properties. 4056: The role and implications of processing on material selection.
A capstone design course centered around an open-ended, faculty-advised senior project involving the design of a process, material, or a technique for solving a technological problem. Senior standing in MSE required.
A capstone design course centered around an open-ended, faculty-advised senior project involving the design of a process, material, or a technique for solving a technological problem. Senior standing in MSE required.
Topics in engineering professional practice, project planning and reporting, including discussion and presentation of proposals, interim and project reports. Instruction in environmental, social, and economic impacts of engineering; design theory and analysis; ethics, continuous learning, and global issues. Capstone course runs in parallel with faculty-advised Senior Design Laboratory. 4085: Emphasis on project planning and management techniques, teamwork strategies, literature research, and technical communication style. 4086: Continuing development of technical documents, with emphasis on professional communication to various audience formats. Additional focus on broader impacts of technical projects, including social, economic, environmental, ethical, and global contexts. Pre: Senior standing in MSE.
Topics in engineering professional practice, project planning and reporting, including discussion and presentation of proposals, interim and project reports. Instruction in environmental, social, and economic impacts of engineering; design theory and analysis; ethics, continuous learning, and global issues. Capstone course runs in parallel with faculty-advised Senior Design Laboratory. 4085: Emphasis on project planning and management techniques, teamwork strategies, literature research, and technical communication style. 4086: Continuing development of technical documents, with emphasis on professional communication to various audience formats. Additional focus on broader impacts of technical projects, including social, economic, environmental, ethical, and global contexts. Pre: Senior standing in MSE.
Topics in engineering professional practice, project planning and reporting, including discussion and presentation of proposals, interim and project reports. Instruction in environmental, social, and economic impacts of engineering; design theory and analysis; ethics, continuous learning, and global issues. Capstone course runs in parallel with faculty-advised Senior Design Laboratory. 4085: Emphasis on project planning and management techniques, teamwork strategies, literature research, and technical communication style. 4086: Continuing development of technical documents, with emphasis on professional communication to various audience formats. Additional focus on broader impacts of technical projects, including social, economic, environmental, ethical, and global contexts. Pre: Senior standing in MSE.
Topics in engineering professional practice, project planning and reporting, including discussion and presentation of proposals, interim and project reports. Instruction in environmental, social, and economic impacts of engineering; design theory and analysis; ethics, continuous learning, and global issues. Capstone course runs in parallel with faculty-advised Senior Design Laboratory. 4085: Emphasis on project planning and management techniques, teamwork strategies, literature research, and technical communication style. 4086: Continuing development of technical documents, with emphasis on professional communication to various audience formats. Additional focus on broader impacts of technical projects, including social, economic, environmental, ethical, and global contexts. Pre: Senior standing in MSE.
Two-semester MSE capstone design course centered around an open-ended, faculty-advised senior honors project involving the design of a process, material, or a technique for solving a technological problem. Outcomes and work effort are consistent with that expected of honors students. MSE 4095H: Literature search, planning and proof-of-concept studies of assigned project. Individual preparation and presentation of an original senior honors thesis related to a team project in which the students also participate. Presentation of detailed project plan to faculty. MSE 4096H: Execution of proposed project, analysis of results and preparation of journal-quality presentation of results. Oral presentation of results to MSE faculty and students. Enrollment in University Honors and senior standing in MSE required.
Two-semester MSE capstone design course centered around an open-ended, faculty-advised senior honors project involving the design of a process, material, or a technique for a solving a technological problem. Outcomes and work effort are consistent with that expected of honors students. MSE 4096H: Execution of proposed project, anaylsis of results and preparation of journal-quality presentation of results. Oral presentation of results to MSE faculty and students. Enrollment in University Honors and senior standing in MSE required.
Introduction to the scientific principles of materials corrosion and corrosion protection. Topics include: thermodynamics of materials corrosion, including potential- PH (Pourbaix) diagrams, kinetics of corrosion reactions and mixed potential theory, types of corrosion (uniform, galvanic, crevice, pitting, fatigue, stress corrosion cracking, intergranular, and hydrogen embrittlement), material/environmental factors that promote or prevent the various types of corrosion, and methods and techniques of corrosion testing.
Introduction to experimental techniques and principles used to study the effects of environmental exposure on various contemporary advanced materials systems. Emphasis on creation and measurement of property variations in engineered materials caused by time and chemical or energetic stimuli, and effective communication of these results.
Introduction to experimental techniques used to study the electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of contemporary advanced materials systems; property variations made possible by composition and processing of engineered materials; and interaction of fields with materials – including effective communication of these results.
Manufacturing practices used in silicon integrated circuit fabrication and the underlying scientific basis for these process technologies. Physical models are developed to explain basic fabrication steps, such as substrate growth, thermal oxidation, dopant diffusion, ion implantation, thin film deposition, etching, and lithography. The overall CMOS integrated circuit process flow is described within the context of these physical models.
This course covers the production, properties and uses of commercially important metals and alloys. The influence of structure, chemistry, and processing upon the properties of metals is emphasized. Alloy selection is discussed. Mechanical, electrical, thermal and chemical characteristics of ferrous and nonferrous alloys are studied.
4305: Casting processes; solidification and its influences on the structure and chemistry of castings; role of fluid flow and heat transfer in mold design; origin and control of casting defects. 4306: Design, layout, and modeling of metal components cast from aluminum, bronze, iron and steel; design of metal running systems; modeling of solidification process.
4305: Casting processes; solidification and its influence on the structure and chemistry of castings; role of fluid flow and heat transfer in mold design; origin and control of casting defects. 4306: Design, layout, and modeling of metal components cast from aluminum, bronze, iron and steel; design of metal running systems; modeling of solidification processes.
Introduction to bladesmithing processes. Hands-on experience with heating metal, visual temperature measurement, manual hammer forging, forge welding, cooling metal, and heat treatment. Emphasis on safe forging and bladesmithing practices.
Advanced metal casting processes; no-bake sand molds; investment casting; rapid prototyping; melting and casting of aluminum, bronze, iron and steel. Casting finishing including shot and sand blasting. Hands-on experience. Emphasis on safe foundry practices. Oral and written reports are required.
Fundamental materials theory applied to structure-property relationships in materials science and engineering through basic characterization techniques. Demonstrations, lab exercises, and practical application of modern characterization techniques such as Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM, TEM), Focused Ion Beam (FIB), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
An introduction to materials for nuclear applications with emphasis on fission reactors. Fundamental radiation effects on materials; material properties relevant to structural, moderator, reflector, blanket, coolant, control shielding and safety systems; processes such as nuclear fuel cycles, fuel enrichment and reprocessing; and related structural systems.
Background of molecular dynamics simulation method. Fundamental molecular dynamics principles, algorithms and components (atomic structure, periodic boundary conditions, interatomic potentials, equations of motion of atoms, statistical ensembles, integration of equations of motion). Implementation of algorithms into codes. Simulations of the time evolution of atoms, particles, or molecules under static or varying thermodynamic conditions and external loads. Connection between atom trajectories and evolution of the physical property of the simulation system with statistical mechanics principles. Hands-on case studies using molecular dynamics simulation package, LAMMPS. Prior knowledge of a programming language such as Fortran, C, C++, Matlab, Mathematica, Python, Java is highly recommended. Pre: Junior standing.
Study of the relationships between the physical properties (thermal, optical, mechanical, electrical and magnetic) and the structure and composition of ceramics at the atomic and microscopic level as affected by processing and service environment. Emphasis will be placed on application and design using structural ceramics.
Processing and characterization of materials; exploration of the influence of processing parameters on physical and mechanical properties. Emphasis on material synthesis.
Introduction to experimental techniques used to synthesize, process, and analyze resulting properties of ceramic and glass materials. Measurement of property variations made possible by changing composition and processing of engineered ceramic systems.
Experimental techniques used in the synthesis of various linear polymers, copolymers, and crosslinked networks. Determination of polymer molecular weights and molecular weight distribution. Methods used in the thermal, mechanical, and morphological characterization of polymeric systems.
This course is designed to introduce the student to polymers from the MSE perspective. The basics of polymer syntheses and polymerization will be outlined. The relationship between processing, structure, and properties will be presented with respect to the performance and design requirements of typical polymer applications.
Materials for biomedical applications. Basic material types and properties, functional uses of materials in medical applications, and tissue response mechanisms. Integrated design issues of multicomponent material design in prosthetic devices for hard and soft tissues, orthopedics , cardiovascular, and drug delivery applications.
Introduction to structure property relationships in biological materials such as wood, bone, shells, spider silk, connective tissue, blood vessels and jellyfish. Proteins and polysaccharides, biosynthesis and assembly, biomineralization, hierarchical organization. Introduction to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Life cycle, environmental aspects of biofabrication.
The application of the fundamental concepts of mechanics, elasticity, and plasticity to multiphase and composite materials. Constitutive equations for the mechanical and physical properties of metal, ceramic, and polymeric matrix composites. The role of processing and microstructure on properties.
Synthesis methods of 0D nanoparticles, 1D nanotubes/nanowires/nanorods, 2D nanoribbons and nanofilms, and special nano-features on supports. Bottom-up and top-down approaches. Methods of characterization for nanomaterials. Processing of nanospecies into higher order dimensions; conventional processing techniques; techniques developed solely for nanomaterials. Chemical, physical, mechanical, and electrical properties of nanomaterials and applications of nanomaterials.
Methods of analysis of variation in materials systems, manufacturing or R&D through the use of statistical methods including experimental design techniques. Instructional examples related to Materials Science and Engineering.
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