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MSE Four Year Plan

Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering

2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024 Academic Catalogs
Total Credits: 120

The 4-year plan described on this page is one possible example of how our degree requirements can go together. The plan was designed to support flexibility, allowing students to choose the path that makes the most sense for their future plans. We strongly encourage you to meet with your MSE Advisor to select the elective options that best meet your goals. Content on this page is provided as a quick reference for planning. All official degree requirements are published on the Undergraduate Catalog site. Updated August 2023.

FIRST YEAR – FALL SEMESTER

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I FN3
CHEM 111L General Chemistry I Laboratory FN1
MATH 170Calculus I FM4
MSE 101Intro to Materials Engineering3
UF 100Foundations of Intellectual Life3
SEMESTER TOTAL14

FIRST YEAR – SPRING SEMESTER

PHYS 211Physics I with Calculus FN4
PHYS 211LPhysics I with Calculus Lab FN1
MATH 175Calculus II4
ENGL 101Introduction to College Writing FW3
*MSE 150 or CS 133 Computing Requirement3
SEMESTER TOTAL15

SECOND YEAR – FALL SEMESTER

MATH 275Multivariable and Vector Calculus4
MSE 201Introduction to MSE3
MSE 280Intro to Materials Lab Practice2
ENGL 102Introduction to College Writing and Research FW3
*ENGR 210Engineering Mechanics I3
SEMESTER TOTAL15

SECOND YEAR – SPRING SEMESTER

MATH 333Differential Equations 4
FCFoundations in Oral Communication3
MSE 315Materials Processing3
PHYS 212Physics II with Calculus4
PHYS 212LPhysics II with Calculus Lab1
SEMESTER TOTAL15

THIRD YEAR – FALL SEMESTER

MSE 308Thermodynamics of Materials3
MSE 311Electrical Properties of Materials3
MSE 380Materials Properties Laboratory3
UF 200Civic and Ethical Foundations3
*Science Elective3-5
SEMESTER TOTAL15-17

THIRD YEAR – SPRING SEMESTER

MSE 318Phase Transformations and Kinetics3
MSE 312Mechanical Behavior of Materials3
*MSE 479Undergraduate Research3
*MATH 360Engineering Statistics3
FA, FH, or FS course3
SEMESTER TOTAL15

FOURTH YEAR – FALL SEMESTER

MSE 480Senior Project3
MSE 498Materials Science Seminar1
*ENGR 240Engineering Circuits3
ENGINEERINGFA, FH, or FS course3
ENGINEERINGFA, FH, or FS course3
Free Elective3
SEMESTER TOTAL16

FOURTH YEAR – SPRING SEMESTER

MSE 482Senior Project II FF3
FA, FH, or FS course3
Upper Division Elective3
Upper Division Elective3
Free Elective3
SEMESTER TOTAL15

 

Notes

  • Courses with an asterisk (*) indicate a recommended option for a selective elective course. Pre-approved options listed here:
  • Engineering Fundamentals Elective: ENGR210, ENGR 220, CE 330, ENGR 240, ECE 210, ME 302, ME 330
  • Statistics Elective: MATH 254, MATH 360, MATH 361
  • Science Elective: CHEM 112&L, PHYS 212&L, BIOL 191, BIOL 227, CHEM 307, CHEM 309, CHEM 431, PHYS 309&L
  • Project Based Engineering Elective: ENGR 380, MSE 479, MSE 493, Select VIP courses
  • Computing Elective: Pick from MSE 150, CS 133, CE 284, CS 111, CS 117, CS 121,ME 271
  • Courses in italics indicate elective options. Many of these elective options have pre-approved choices. Choose from among the options listed or talk with your advisor if you’d like to propose something else.
  • All students must complete at least 120 total credits, and 40 credits of upper division (300 and 400-level classes). The number of  elective credits included in the major will vary depending on what other courses are taken.
  • FOUNDATIONS COURSES. In addition to named specific courses ENGL 101, ENGR 102, UF 100, UF 200, students need to take one FC (foundations in oral communication), one FA, one FH, and two FS courses.  FS courses must come from two different fields as stated in the University General Education Requirements
  • GRADE POLICY: A C- or higher is required for all prerequisite courses  & for all upper division courses in the student’s major.  University Foundations requirements including  University Foundation(UF) and Foundations of the Discipline (FD) courses require a grade of C- or higher in each course
  • Contact Cindy Hardy (cindyhardy@boisestate.edu) or Jessica Economy (jessicaeconomy@boisestate.edu) with questions.