Dec 12, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Materials Engineering, BS


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Materials Engineers design, characterize, and manufacture the “stuff” of our everyday world. Semiconductors, metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites are examples of the materials used to make everything around you - from your computer to the chair you are sitting in, from artificial body parts to the skin of the space shuttle. Materials scientists and engineers work in nanotechnology, biotechnology, aerospace, alternative energy, microelectronics and virtually every industry sector.

Major areas of study are the relationships between materials’ structure, properties, processing, and performance. The MatE program, offered by the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering , stresses the roles of design, development, and process engineering, and also prepares the exceptional student for research and graduate study. The Department has excellent laboratory facilities for courses and student research. 

The Materials Engineering Bachelor of Science degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Program Criteria and the Materials (1), Metallurgical (2), Ceramics (3) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria. The department also offers a combined Materials Engineering BS + MS  program. 

Summary of Degree Units

University Graduation Requirements 21
Major Preparation 34
Major Requirements 65
Total 120

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

Major-Specific Graduation Requirements

The following course in Preparation for the Major must be completed with a “C- or Better”: ENGL 1B .

The following required in the Major Lower Division Core must be satisfied with a “C- or Better”: MATH 30 , MATH 31 , MATH 32 , MATH 33A PHYS 50 , PHYS 51 , CHEM 1A , CHEM 1B CE 99  (or CE 95 ), ME 20 , MATE 25 , and ENGR 10 .

The MATE Junior Core consists of a 2.0 average in {MATE 115 , MATE 141 , MATE 151 , MATE 153 , MATE 154  and MATE 155 } and ENGR 100W . Students receiving a grade less than “C-” in a Junior Core course may have to repeat the course. The Junior Core must be satisfied in order to enroll in Senior Core courses.

The MATE Senior Core consists of {MATE 186 MATE 195 , MATE 198A , MATE 198B , MATE 185 , and MATE 152 }. Students receiving a grade less than “C-” in a senior core course will have to repeat the course before graduation.

Prerequisite Requirements

Enrollment in any chemistry course requires that the prerequisite courses be passed with a grade of “C or better” (C- not accepted). Exceptions may be made only with instructor consent or if not explicitly stated in the course description. Refer to the course descriptions for specific information regarding course prerequisites.

University Requirements


Students must satisfy all of the major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements , which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education , American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment, and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements are noted with an area designation (see Course Abbreviations ).

Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements  apply to this major. 

Core Lower Division General Education (15 units)


Of the 39 units required by the university, 24 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Courses that meet GE Areas A1, A2, A3, B4, or F must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Of the 39 units, the following 15 units are not satisfied by the major or the American Institutions courses outlined below:

Upper Division General Education


Of the 9 units required by the university, 9 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Consult with major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)


Complete one 6-unit sequence of American Institutions (US123) courses, which also satisfies GE Area D. Students may also satisfy the American Institutions Requirement  with other courses, but these may not satisfy other GE areas.

The American Studies sequence (AMS 1A /AMS 1B ; 12 units) or Humanities Honors course (HUM 2B ; 6 units) satisfies the American Institutions Requirement and additional GE Areas (see course descriptions for details).

Consult with a major advisor to select the appropriate sequence.

Physical Education


The Physical Education Requirement is waived for this major. See the Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements .

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement


At SJSU, students must pass a Writing in the Disciplines (100W) course with a  grade of C or better (C- not accepted) to meet graduation requirements. For this major, the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)  is satisfied by a course in the major.

Major Preparation (34 units)


Major Requirements (65 units)


Total Units Required (120 units)


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