Materials Science and Engineering

Undergraduate Program

Introduction to the Major

Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) encompasses all natural and synthetic materials – their extraction, synthesis, processing, properties, characterization, and development for technological applications. Materials Engineers are involved in every aspect of technology, ranging from the design of materials for use in consumer electronics, medical and healthcare applications, energy generation and storage, transportation (from vehicles to bridges), and beyond. 

MSE teaches core fundamentals while preparing students to solve modern-day materials challenges. Students can also become involved in cutting-edge research in one of the many faculty-led research groups. The MSE program is ABET accredited.

Without Materials, There is No Engineering

The curriculum provides a strong foundation in the science and engineering of materials, leveraging both classroom and hands-on laboratory experiences, while offering you freedom to explore areas of your choice. Students can also pursue joint majors, hybrids of MSE and other majors for a single degree, offered with many other departments.

Students may also opt for a combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science with a fifth year of research and classroom intensive graduate study that prepares students for careers in engineering, engineering management, government, and/or industrial sectors.

Amplify Your Major

I love the way Materials Science and Engineering is so directly relevant to understanding the world around me and consequently essential to solving so many of the world's problems.
Avni Singhal

Four-Year Student Timeline

First Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

  • Browse research taking place in Engineering centers, institutes, and labs.

  • Attend the Undergraduate Research and Scholarships Fair in September and October.

  • Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course.

  • Read about faculty research in MSE—find out who is doing what and make time to chat with them.

Engage Locally and Globally

  • Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization such as MSEA.

  • Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.

  • Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad. Find out what it will take and the best timing for this.

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Second Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

  • Attend MSEA and department events like MSE Town Halls, and get to know faculty, staff, and students.

  • Quisque vestibulum odio vitae quam facilisis, a dictum purus laoreet.

  • Follow Berkeley MSE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

  • Get to know Engineering professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.

Discover Your Passions

  • Consider pursuing research with a group in MSE (see resources for Engineering and MSE students).

  • Apply for internships or research opportunities outside Berkeley (like an REU research program). Check Berkeley Lab and UCSF as well.

  • Check out design and maker opportunities at the Jacobs Institute.

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Third Year

Explore Your Major

  • Focus on upper division requirements like the MSE 12X series and math/stats/data elective.

  • Continue meeting with your department and ESS advisor to review your academic progress.

  • Submit paperwork for a joint or double major, simultaneous degree, minor, or study abroad.

  • Plan your elective courses—expand your education with targeted choices.

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

  • Look for new experiences—work in a new lab or spend a summer at a company or national lab.

  • Explore your mission and impact as an Engineer through the LeaderShape Institute.

  • Apply innovation to healthcare through a Fung Fellowship.

  • Explore entrepreneurship through the Sutardja Center and Skydeck.

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Fourth Year

Explore Your Major

  • Meet with your ESS adviser to do an official degree check and plan for your final year.

  • Complete any “bucket list” courses and remaining major, college, and campus requirements.

  • Complement your major with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.

  • Complete applications to the 5th year BS/MS program or other graduate programs.

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

  • Put your plan into action! Going to grad school? Getting a job? Make time to achieve your goals.

  • Keep seeking new experiences or settle in to make impact in one you like.

  • Going to pursue a PhD? Apply for fellowships like the NSF GRFP, NDSEG, and others.

  • Teach your own DeCal course or consider being an instructor for ENGIN 98.

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

What Can I Do With My Major?

Upon graduation, MSE students are prepared for a number of different career paths. Many go on to graduate studies at prestigious universities. Others head directly into the workforce hired as engineers in Silicon Valley, the biotechnology sector, the aerospace field, and beyond.

Employers

  • Amazon

  • Apple

  • Applied Materials

  • Bayer Healthcare

  • Baxter

  • BP

  • Chevron

  • Dow

  • Dupont

  • Exponent

  • Exxon

  • First Solar

  • FormFactor Inc.

  • Google

  • Hewlett Packard

  • Intel

  • Imerys

  • Imprint Energy

  • Johnson & Johnson

  • Lam Research

  • Lockheed Martin

  • Micron Technology

  • SpaceX

  • Tesla

Graduate Programs

  • Chemical Engineering, PhD

  • Electrical Engineering, PhD

  • Finance, PhD

  • Law, JD

  • Materials Science & Engineering, PhD

  • Nuclear Engineering, PhD

  • Solid State Physics, PhD

Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.

Learn More

Connect With Us

Cal Day

Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, demonstrations, and more.

Golden Bear Orientation

Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.

Events

Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit mse.berkeley.edu for news and updates.

Advising

For department-specific advising, including course equivalencies, exceptions, and enrollments, contact the MSE undergraduate adviser at medinakohzad@berkeley.edu. Students are also encouraged to meet with an MSE faculty advisor and discuss their program progress, research opportunities, and career plans. See mse.berkeley.edu/advising/

Visit Engineering Student Services in 230 Bechtel for advising on degree requirements and completion, academic progress, petitions and exceptions, academic difficulty, change of major/joint majors/simultaneous degrees, cancellations/withdrawals/readmission, and education abroad. See engineering.berkeley.edu/students/ess-advising/.

How to Use this Map

Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.

Topics

Major Maps topic page, College of Engineering topic page

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