Why major in Materials Science & Engineering?

"Materials science helps us understand the natural intricacies of our world and how we can use them to serve others. There are no bounds to MSE. It is constantly advancing in numerous directions and I want to see how the field can utilize me to shape the future. We have not put all the puzzle pieces together of the world we live in and I want to be a part of the worldwide enlightenment this field brings." Alex Uy

"As I begin preparing for classes, I sit down at my ordinary desk. Not only does the shape of the desk need to be carefully considered, but also the different woods and metals holding it together. Does metal corrosion need to be considered? What made the materials affordable? A close analysis of any single material of the desk spirals into that material’s history, structure or properties, yielding a lifetime’s worth of innovation." Alex Wang

Advances in materials science accelerate progress in other fields, expand the possibilities of technology, and are essential to creating a sustainable future. MSE offers students a fundamental background in the structure, properties, processing, and performance of materials. This background is essential to engineers or scientists in understanding the selection of materials for various applications. Ben Kuster

"Materials science as a field of study is made even more attractive by the fact that it is one of the primary foundations by which technology advances. There are many opportunities for an individual researcher or team of researchers to leave their mark in history. I wish to specialize and research metal additive manufacturing, an emerging technology that will be of great importance for prototyping and manufacturing specialized parts locally." Trevor Eggleston

"Heading into my first year of UVA, MSE felt right. Rather than taking a process and turning it into an easily scalable operation, I can tackle how to improve or manipulate a substance to better suit its proposed purpose. MSE helps connect my inherent curiosity when it comes to human innovation and our progress to the present to my inherent drive when it comes to my education." Emma Laubengayer

"Growing up, there was never any doubt that I was going to be an engineer. I told myself that computer science would be a natural fit. I took Introduction to Materials Science to fulfill a requirement and it soon became my favorite. I eventually admitted that I much prefer looking at stress-strain curves than a Java terminal screen. I took another MSE course this semester. Once again, it is my favorite class. I have made the switch." John Emery