Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Materials Science and Engineering Minor


Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) applies fundamental principles of physics and chemistry to designing materials with desired combinations of mechanical, optical, electrical, magnetic, electrochemical and other properties.

UC Merced students minoring in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) will be equipped for leadership in a field that dictates the pace of technological progress. Since the beginnings of civilization, technological progress has always relied on the materials people were able to acquire from nature, through trade or by innovation. Wood, stone, bronze, iron, steel, aluminum, cements, plastics, semiconductors, liquid crystals, nanomaterials and quantum dots all have unique properties that enable—but also limit—what humans can make and do. Nations continue to go to war over access to particular raw materials.

Minimum Requirements


To be awarded a minor in Materials Science and Engineering, students must successfully complete at least 18 units.

Lower Division Requirement [4 units]


Complete the following course:

Upper Division Requirement [14 units]


Complete the following courses:

  • MSE 109: Materials Thermodynamics  
  • MSE 111: Materials Kinetics and Processing  
  • At least six additional units of upper division MSE courses, other than research and independent study, each worth at least 3 units. Graduate level MBSE courses may be substituted with instructor approval. Upper division MSE courses may be selected from both the core required courses for an MSE major and any course allowed as an elective for an MSE major.

Guidelines Applying to All Minors


The following guidelines apply to all minor programs:

  • Students must have an overall grade-point average of 2.0 (C) or better in upper division courses. Individual programs may define higher minimum GPA requirements.
  • At least five courses, four of which must be upper division, must be taken for a letter grade.
  • At least three of the required courses must be taken at UC Merced.
  • Only one course may be used to satisfy two minor programs’ requirements.
  • Only one course may be used to satisfy both a minor and a major requirement.
  • Work for the minor must be completed within the maximum number of units allowed by the student’s School. If the student’s major and minor are in different Schools, the higher unit maximum will apply.