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 Number | Course Title | Credits |
| CHEM 111, 111L | General Chemistry I with Lab (FN) | 4 |
| UF 100 | Intellectual Foundations | 3 |
| MATH 170 | Calculus I (FM) | 4 |
| MSE 101 | Introduction to Materials Engineering | 3 |
| Semester Total | 4 courses | 14 |
First Year – Spring Semester
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| MATH 175 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PHYS 211, 211L | Physics I with Calculus and Lab (FN) | 5 |
| ENGL 101 | Introduction to College Writing | 3 |
| *MSE 150 or CS 133 | Computing Requirement | 3 |
| Semester Total | 4 courses | 15 |
Second Year – Fall Semester
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| ENGL 102 | Intro to College Writing & Research (FW) | 3 |
| MATH 275 | Multivariable and Vector Calculus | 4 |
| MSE 201 | Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering | 3 |
| MSE 280 | Intro to Materials Characterization Lab | 2 |
| *CHEM 112&L | General Chemistry II and Lab | 4 |
| Semester Total | 5 courses | 16 |
Second Year – Spring Semester
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| MATH 333 | Differential Equations | 4 |
| MSE 315 | Materials Processing | 3 |
| *PHYS 212&L | Calculus Based Physics II and Lab | 5 |
| COMM | Foundations in Communication (FC) | 3 |
| Semester Total | 5 courses | 15 |
Third Year – Fall Semester
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| MSE 308 | Thermodynamics of Materials | 3 |
| MSE 311 | Electrical Properties of Materials | 3 |
| MSE 380 | Materials Properties Laboratory | 3 |
| UF 200 | Civic and Ethical Foundations | 3 |
| *ME 201 | Engineering Mechanics I | 3 |
| Semester Total | 5 courses | 15-17 |
Third Year – Spring Semester
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| MSE 312 | Mechanical Behavior of Materials | 3 |
| MSE 318 | Phase Transformation and Kinetics | 3 |
| *MATH 360 | Engineering Statistics | 3 |
| *MSE 479 | Undergraduate Research | 3 |
| FH | Foundations of Humanities | 3 |
| Semester Total | 5 courses | 15 |
Fourth Year – Fall Semester
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit |
| MSE 480 | Senior Capstone Project 1 | 3 |
| MSE 498 | Materials Science and Engineering Seminar | 1 |
| *ENGR 240 | Introduction to Circuits | 3 |
| FS | Foundations Social Science (FS) | 3 |
| FA | Foundations Arts (FA) | 3 |
| Elective | Free | 3 |
| Semester Total | 6 courses | 16 |
Fourth Year – Spring Semester
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| MSE 482* | Senior Capstone Project II (FF) | 3 |
| FS | Foundations Social Science (FS) | 3 |
| Upper Division Elective | Upper Division Elective | 3 |
| Upper Division Elective | Upper Division Elective | 3 |
| Elective | Free Elective | 3 |
| Semester Total | 6 courses | 15 |
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 Delaney Obaldia (delaneyobaldia@boisestate.edu) or Jessica Economy (jessicaeconomy@boisestate.edu) with questions.