About the Program

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Materials Scientists and Engineers are involved in every aspect of technology, ranging from the design of materials appropriate for use in integrated circuits and biological applications to those materials needed for energy generation (both conventional energy sources and green sources) and for building bridges, roads, and buildings.

Upon graduation, students are prepared for a number of different careers paths. Many go on to graduate studies at prestigious universities. Others head directly into the workforce as engineers in Silicon Valley, the biotechnology sector, the aerospace or automotive fields, and energy-related industries.

The objectives of the undergraduate program in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) are to educate graduates who have the following skills:

• Knowledge of the fundamental science and engineering principles relevant to materials design, development and engineering application
• Understanding of 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
• Ability to communicate effectively, to work in teams, and to assume positions as leaders

This major program leads to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.

Admission to the Major

Prospective undergraduates to the College of Engineering will apply for admission to a specific program in the College. For further information, please see the College of Engineering's website.

Admission to Engineering via a Change of College application for current UC Berkeley students is highly unlikely and very competitive as there few, if any, spaces that open in the College each year to students admitted to other colleges at UC Berkeley. For further information regarding a Change of College to Engineering, please see the College's website.

Five-Year BS/MS Program

The five-year combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science program augments the existing four-year undergraduate program with a fifth year of graduate study that provides a professionally oriented component, preparing students for careers in engineering or engineering management within the business, government, and/or industrial sectors. In this program, students earn a bachelor's degree and subsequently, a Master of Science degree under Plan II (without thesis) of the Academic Senate. This five-year program emphasizes interdisciplinary study through an independent project coupled to coursework. The program is open to undergraduate materials science and engineering majors (both single or joint majors) only. For further information regarding this program, please see the department's website.

Minor Program

The department offers a minor in Materials Science and Engineering that is open to all students who are not majoring in MSE and who have completed the necessary prerequisites. To be eligible for the program, students are required to have a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the prerequisite courses. For information regarding the prerequisites, please see the Minor Requirements tab on this page.

To apply for the minor, submit the Petition for Admission to the Undergraduate Minor to the undergraduate adviser after completion of the prerequisite courses. Upon completion of the minor requirements, submit a Petition for Completion of the Undergraduate Minor to the undergraduate adviser.

Joint Majors

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering also offers four joint majors, with other departments in the College of Engineering, and one joint major with a department in the College of Chemistry. For further information on these programs, please see the links below:
Chemical Engineering/Materials Science and Engineering (Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Chemistry)
Bioengineering/Materials Science and Engineering (Department of Bioengineering)
Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences/Materials Science and Engineering (Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences)
Materials Science and Engineering/Mechanical Engineering (Department of Mechanical Engineering)
Materials Science and Engineering/Nuclear Engineering (Department of Nuclear Engineering)

Visit Department Website

Major Requirements

In addition to the University, campus, and college requirements, students must fulfill the below requirements specific to their major program.

General Guidelines

1. All technical courses taken in satisfaction of major requirements must be taken for a letter grade.

2. No more than one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student’s major and minor programs.

3. A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for all work undertaken at UC Berkeley.

4. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for all technical courses taken in satisfaction of major requirements.

For information regarding residence requirements and unit requirements, please see the College Requirements tab.

For a detailed plan of study by year and semester, please see the plan of study tab.

Lower Division Requirements

Upper Division Requirements

Minor Requirements

Minor programs are areas of concentration requiring fewer courses than an undergraduate major. These programs are optional but can provide depth and breadth to a UC Berkeley education. The College of Engineering does not offer additional time to complete a minor, but it is usually possible to finish within the allotted time with careful course planning. Students are encouraged to meet with their ESS adviser to discuss the feasibility of completing a minor program.

All the engineering departments offer minors. Students may also consider pursuing a minor in another school or college.

General Guidelines

1. All courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements must be taken for graded credit.

2. A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the prerequisite courses is required for acceptance into the minor program.

3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for courses used to fulfill the minor requirements.

4. No more than one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student’s major and minor programs.

5. Completion of the minor program cannot delay a student’s graduation.

Requirements

College Requirements

Students in the College of Engineering must complete no fewer than 120 semester units with the following provisions: 

1. Completion of the requirements of one engineering major program study. 
2. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.00 (C average) and a minimum 2.00 grade point average in upper division technical coursework required of the major.
3. The final 30 units and two semesters must be completed in residence in the College of Engineering on the Berkeley campus.
4. All technical courses (math, science and engineering) that can fulfill requirements for the student's major must be taken on a letter graded basis (unless they are only offered P/NP). 
5. Entering freshmen are allowed a maximum of eight semesters to complete their degree requirements. Entering junior transfers are allowed a maximum of four semesters to complete their degree requirements. (Note: junior transfers admitted missing three or more courses from the lower division curriculum are allowed five semesters.) Summer terms are optional and do not count toward the maximum. Students are responsible for planning and satisfactorily completing all graduation requirements within the maximum allowable semesters. 
6. Adhere to all college policies and procedures as they complete degree requirements.
7. Complete the lower division program before enrolling in upper division engineering courses. 

Humanities and Social Sciences (H/SS) Requirement

To promote a rich and varied educational experience outside of the technical requirements for each major, the College of Engineering has a six-course Humanities and Social Sciences breadth requirement, which must be completed to graduate. This requirement, built into all the engineering programs of study, includes two reading and composition courses (R&C), and four additional courses within which a number of specific conditions must be satisfied. Follow these guidelines to fulfill this requirement:

1. Complete a minimum of six courses from the  approved Humanities/Social Sciences (H/SS) lists. 
2. Courses must be a minimum of 3 semester units (or 4 quarter units).
3. Two of the six courses must fulfill the college's Reading and Composition (R&C) requirement. These courses must be taken for a letter grade (C- or better required) and must be completed by no later than the end of the sophomore year (fourth semester of enrollment). The first half of R&C, the “A” course, must be completed by the end of the freshman year; the second half of R&C, the “B" course, must be completed by no later than the end of the sophomore year. Use the Class Schedule to view R&C courses offered in a given semester. View the list of exams that can be applied toward the first half of the R&C requirement. Note: Only the first half of R&C can be fulfilled with an AP or IB exam score. Test scores do not fulfill the second half of the R&C requirement for College of Engineering students.
4. The four additional courses must be chosen within College of Engineering guidelines from the H/SS lists (see below). These courses may be taken on a Pass/Not Passed basis (P/NP).
5. Two of the six courses must be upper division (courses numbered 100-196).
6. One of the six courses must satisfy the campus American Cultures requirement. For detailed lists of courses that fulfill American Cultures requirements, visit the American Cultures site. 
7. A maximum of two exams (Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or A-Level) may be used toward completion of the H/SS requirement. View the list of exams that can be applied toward H/SS requirements.
8. Courses may fulfill multiple categories. For example, CY PLAN 118AC satisfies both the American Cultures requirement and one upper division H/SS requirement.
9. No courses offered by any engineering department other than BIO ENG 100, COMPSCI C79, ENGIN 125, ENGIN 157AC, and MEC ENG 191K may be used to complete H/SS requirements.
10. Foreign language courses may be used to complete H/SS requirements. View the list of language options.
11. Courses numbered 97, 98, 99, or above 196 may not be used to complete any H/SS requirement.
12. The College of Engineering uses modified versions of five of the College of Letters and Science (L&S) breadth requirements lists to provide options to our students for completing the H/SS requirement. The five areas are:

• Arts and Literature
• Historical Studies
• International Studies
• Philosophy and Values
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Within the guidelines above, choose courses from any of the Breadth areas listed above. (Please note that you cannot use courses on the Biological Science or Physical Science Breadth list to complete the H/SS requirement.) To find course options, go to the Class Schedule, select the term of interest, and use the Breadth Requirements filter.

Class Schedule Requirements

• Minimum units per semester: 12.0
• Maximum units per semester:  20.5
• Minimum technical courses: College of Engineering undergraduates must enroll each semester in no fewer than two technical courses (of a minimum of 3 units each) required of the major program of study in which the student is officially declared. (Note: For most majors, normal progress will require enrolling in 3-4 technical courses each semester).
• All technical courses (math, science, engineering) that satisfy requirements for the major must be taken on a letter-graded basis (unless only offered as P/NP).

Minimum Academic (Grade) Requirements

• A minimum overall and semester grade point average of 2.00 (C average) is required of engineering undergraduates. Students will be subject to dismissal from the University if during any fall or spring semester their overall UC GPA falls below a 2.00, or their semester GPA is less than 2.00. 
• Students must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.00 (C average) in upper division technical courses required for the major curriculum each semester.
• A minimum overall grade point average of 2.00, and a minimum 2.00 grade point average in upper division technical course work required for the major is needed to earn a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.

Unit Requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, students must complete at least 120 semester units of courses subject to certain guidelines:

• Completion of the requirements of one engineering major program of study. 
• A maximum of 16 units of special studies coursework (courses numbered 97, 98, 99, 197, 198, or 199) is allowed towards the 120 units.
• A maximum of 4 units of physical education from any school attended will count towards the 120 units.
• Students may receive unit credit for courses graded P (including P/NP units taken through EAP) up to a limit of one-third of the total units taken and passed on the Berkeley campus at the time of graduation.

Normal Progress

Students in the College of Engineering must enroll in a full-time program and make normal progress each semester toward the bachelor's degree. The continued enrollment of students who fail to achieve minimum academic progress shall be subject to the approval of the dean. (Note: Students with official accommodations established by the Disabled Students' Program, with health or family issues, or with other reasons deemed appropriate by the dean may petition for an exception to normal progress rules.) 

UC and Campus Requirements

University of California Requirements

Entry Level Writing

All students who will enter the University of California as freshmen must demonstrate their command of the English language by fulfilling the Entry Level Writing Requirement. Satisfaction of this requirement is also a prerequisite to enrollment in all reading and composition courses at UC Berkeley.

American History and American Institutions

The American History and Institutions requirements are based on the principle that a U.S. resident graduated from an American university should have an understanding of the history and governmental institutions of the United States.

Campus Requirement

American Cultures

American Cultures (AC) is the one requirement that all undergraduate students at UC Berkeley need to take and pass in order to graduate. The requirement offers an exciting intellectual environment centered on the study of race, ethnicity, and culture in the United States. AC courses offer students opportunities to be part of research-led, highly accomplished teaching environments, grappling with the complexity of American Culture.

Plan of Study

For more detailed information regarding the courses listed below (e.g., elective information, GPA requirements, etc.), please see the College Requirements and Major Requirements tabs.

Student Learning Goals

Learning Goals of the Major

Measured Curricular Outcomes

The program is designed around a set of curricular outcomes. Specifically, upon completion of our ABET accredited program in Materials Science and Engineering, the graduate will possess the following skills:

1. Be able to apply general math, science and engineering skills to the solution of engineering problems.
2. Be aware of the social, safety and environmental consequences of their work, and be able to engage in public debate regarding these issues.
3. Be able to apply core concepts in materials science to solve engineering problems.
4. Be knowledgeable of contemporary issues relevant to materials science and engineering.
5. Be able to select materials for design and construction.
6. Understand the importance of life-long learning.
7. Be able to design and conduct experiments, and to analyze data.
8. Understand the professional and ethical responsibilities of a materials scientist and engineer.
9. Be able to work both independently and as part of a team.
10. Be able to communicate effectively while speaking, employing graphics, and writing.
11. Possess the skills and techniques necessary for modern materials engineering practice.

Educational Objectives for Graduates

Stated succinctly, graduates from the program will have the following skills: 

1. Know the fundamental science and engineering principles relevant to materials.
2. Understand the relationship between nano/microstructure, characterization, properties and processing, and design of materials.
3. Have the experimental and computational skills for a professional career or graduate study in materials.
4. Possess a knowledge of the significance of research, the value of continued learning, and environmental/social issues surrounding materials.
5. Be able to communicate effectively, to work in teams and to assume positions as leaders.

Academic Opportunities

Undergraduate Research

There is nothing more tangible in engineering products than the materials of which they are made, and this fact dominates the research agenda in materials science & engineering around the world. At Berkeley, research programs in new materials synthesis, processing, characterization, integration, and theoretical modeling dominate the laboratory space and multiple servers dedicated to basic and applied research programs in the department, including many that are conducted at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to meet with the many faculty members in the department who sponsor student research projects and learn about the many exciting options available to them. Sometimes a new student’s research experience begins by shadowing a senior graduate student to learn the ropes, but sometimes the project is fully unique, and exclusively theirs! Undergraduate students can earn units for their research efforts by enrolling in MAT SCI 199, which is offered on a Pass/No Pass basis. Another option is an honors thesis project, MAT SCI H194, offered to qualified students as a graded course, which can therefore be counted as an upper division technical elective. There are also a number of paid research positions, especially over the summer. Students should not be shy about asking and should consider adding materials research to their undergraduate experience at Berkeley.

Student Groups and Organizations

The Materials Science & Engineering Association (MSEA) serves a large number of students on the Berkeley campus, including many non-majors, who know that a future in the materials disciplines is an enticing career option. Officers in MSEA sponsor both scholarly and social events to broaden undergraduates’ experiences here, and through a professional connection called Materials Advantage, students can join four national materials societies to launch their professional careers early.

Undergraduate students in the department are also highly respected members of several engineering student projects because of the materials issues involved. These include the Solar Car (CalSol) project, the Formula SAE race car team, the Human Powered Vehicle team, the Supermileage Vehicle team, and others offering deep immersion in actual engineering design and construction of a functional product. For students interested in shaping a carbon-fiber skin component or welding a 6061 aluminum alloy roll bar component, there are many opportunities to learn these and other valuable skills as a student in MSE.

Courses

Materials Science and Engineering

Faculty and Instructors

+ Indicates this faculty member is the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award.

Faculty

Joel W. Ager, Adjunct Professor.

Paul Alivisatos, Professor. Physical chemistry, semiconductor nanocrystals, nanoscience, nanotechnology, artificial photosynthesis, solar energy, renewable energy, sustainable energy.
Research Profile

Elke Arenholz, Associate Adjunct Professor.

Mark D. Asta, Professor.

Jillian Banfield, Professor. Nanoscience, Bioremediation, genomics, biogeochemistry, carbon cycling, geomicrobiology, MARS, minerology.
Research Profile

Robert Birgeneau, Professor. Physics, phase transition behavior of novel states of matter.
Research Profile

Gerbrand Ceder, Professor.

Daryl Chrzan, Professor. Materials science and engineering, computational materials science, metals and metallic compounds, defects in solids, growth of nanostructures.
Research Profile

Thomas M. Devine, Professor. Synthesis of nanomaterials, nuclear power, oil production, secondary batteries for electric vehicles, computer disk drives, and synthesis and characterization of metal oxide nanowires, corrosion resistance of materials.
Research Profile

Fiona Doyle, Professor. Electrochemistry, mineral processing, solution processing of materials, interfacial chemistry, extractive metallurgy, remediation of abandoned mines.
Research Profile

Oscar D. Dubon, Professor. Magnetic, optical materials, processing, properties in electronic.
Research Profile

Kevin Healy, Professor. Bioengineering, biomaterials engineering, tissue engineering, bioinspired materials, tissue and organ regeneration, stem cell engineering, microphysiological systems, organs on a chip, drug screening and discovery, multivalent bioconjugate therapeutics.
Research Profile

Frances Hellman, Professor. Condensed matter physics and materials science.
Research Profile

Digby D. Macdonald, Professor in Residence.

Lane W. Martin, Associate Professor. Complex Oxides, novel electronic materials, thin films, materials processing, materials characterization, memory, logic, information technologies, energy conversion, thermal properties, dielectrics, ferroelectrics, pyroelectrics, piezoelectrics, magnetics, multiferroics, transducers, devices.
Research Profile

Phillip B. Messersmith, Professor.

Andrew M. Minor, Professor. Metallurgy, nanomechanics, in situ TEM, electron microscopy of soft materials.
Research Profile

Kristin A. Persson, Assistant Professor. Lithium-ion Batteries.
Research Profile

R. Ramesh, Professor. Processing of complex oxide heterostructures, nanoscale characterization/device structures, thin film growth and materials physics of complex oxides, materials processing for devices, information technologies.
Research Profile

Robert O. Ritchie, Professor. Structural materials, mechanical behavior in biomaterials, creep, fatigue and fracture of advanced metals, intermetallics, ceramics.
Research Profile

Miquel B. Salmeron, Adjunct Professor. Molecules, lasers, atoms, materials science and engineering, matter, scanning, tunneling, atomic force microscopies, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Research Profile

Junqiao Wu, Associate Professor. Semiconductors, nanotechnology, energy materials.
Research Profile

Ting Xu, Associate Professor. Polymer, nanocomposite, biomaterial, membrane, directed self-assembly, drug delivery, protein therapeutics, block copolymers, nanoparticles.
Research Profile

Peidong Yang, Professor. Materials chemistry, sensors, nanostructures, energy conversion, nanowires, miniaturizing optoelectronic devices, photovoltaics, thermoelectrics, solid state lighting.
Research Profile

Jie Yao, Assistant Professor. Optical materials, Nanophotonics, optoelectronics.
Research Profile

Haimei Zheng, Assistant Adjunct Professor.

Lecturers

Matthew Sherburne, Lecturer.

Emeritus Faculty

Robert H. Bragg, Professor Emeritus.

Didier De Fontaine, Professor Emeritus. Phase transformations in alloys, crystallography, thermodynamics of phase changes, particularly ordering reactions, phase separation, calculations of phase equilibria by combined quantum, statistical mechanical methods.
Research Profile

Lutgard De Jonghe, Professor Emeritus. Ceramic properties, advanced ceramics, silicon carbide, densification studies, microstructure development.
Research Profile

James W. Evans, Professor Emeritus. Production of materials, particularly fluid flow, reaction kinetics, mass transport, electrochemical, electromagnetic phenomena governing processes for producing materials, metals, storing energy.
Research Profile

+ Douglas W. Fuerstenau, Professor Emeritus. Mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, application of surface, colloid chemistry to mineral/water systems, fine particle science, technology, principles of comminution, flotation, pelletizing, hydrometallurg, extraction of metals.
Research Profile

Andreas M. Glaeser, Professor Emeritus. Ceramic joining, TLP bonding, brazing, reduced-temperature joining, ceramic-metal joining, ceramic processing, surface and interface properties of ceramics, thermal barrier coatings.
Research Profile

+ Ronald Gronsky, Professor Emeritus. Internal structure of materials, engineering applications.
Research Profile

Eugene E. Haller, Professor Emeritus. Semiconductor crystal growth, characterization of impurities and defects in semiconductors: infrared and microwave detectors, isotopically controlled semiconductors.
Research Profile

Marshal F. Merriam, Professor Emeritus.

+ J. W. Morris, Professor Emeritus. Structural materials, computational materials, the limits of strength, deformation mechanisms, non-destructive testing with SQUID microscopy, mechanisms of grain refinement in high strength steels, lead-free solders for microelectronics.
Research Profile

Eicke R. Weber, Professor Emeritus. Optical materials, magnetic materials, semiconductor thin film growth, device processing in electronic materials.
Research Profile