Materials Science & Engineering
At a Glance
Degree Type
Bachelor of Science
Total Credits
150
Degree Requirements
Accreditation
Contacts
John Misasi
Program Director
Robin Mills
Pre-Major Advisor
Program Overview
Students enrolled in Western's Materials Science & Engineering (MSE) (formerly Polymer Materials Engineering) program study the relationship between molecular structure, processing, and properties of polymers and composites. The MSE curriculum prepares graduates who understand and apply established scientific and engineering knowledge to support engineering activities in manufacturing environments. The technical curriculum is built upon a firm base of materials science, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Practical experience in design, materials, processing, economics, testing, characterization, and analysis are crucial part of the hands-on curriculum that is provided in the program's extensive and well-equipped laboratory facilities.
A materials science engineer can be involved in the development, design, analysis, planning, supervision, or construction of the materials, methods, processes, and equipment for the production of industrial or consumer goods in the plastics, or composites, or other materials-related industry. The MSE graduate will help to solve the complex problems associated with plastics, composites, or materials manufacturing operations. MSE graduates work in teams with engineers, scientists, and technicians to solve materials and manufacturing-related problems.
The Materials Science & Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org. Accreditation and enrollment numbers are available on our Assessment and Accreditation page. WWU's Materials & Science Engineering program was recently ranked as one of the best programs across the nation.
What is PME?
Watch the video to learn more about the Polymer Materials Engineering program at WWU!
Explore Classes
Learn about senior projects and what students are working on the labs. Explore classes
Student Clubs
Congratulations to four junior PME research students who recently won 1st place in the poster competition at the 2023 SAMPE conference in Seattle.
Research topic: Impacts of Mechanical Recycling on the Processing & Properties of ULTEM 1000 (overhead bins in airplanes)
SAMPE is the Society for the Advancement of Material Process Engineering. WWU has an active student chapter.
L to R: Tyrone Woodard, Ingrid Shipstead, Luke Grant, and Nicholas Gajkowski
Scholarships
Dori Harcharik - Class of 2025
I am a full-time student who is very active in my program, serving in various leadership and extracurricular roles, which I love! I am honored that my commitments and hard work have been recognized by the Plastic Pioneers Association and the Western Plastics Pioneers. I recently earned scholarships from both of these organizations, and I am incredibly thankful that these awards will allow me the ability to focus more of my attention on the amazing opportunities I have the privilege to be a part of as a student in the WWU Engineering & Design Department.
Research
Associate Professor, John Misasi, and his undergraduate students are proving that ocean plastics aren't just landfill material.
To learn more about this ongoing important work and research happening on our campus, read the latest Windows magazine article.
Congratulations to the Polymer Materials Engineering Class of 2023!
Good luck in your career and/or educational journey! We can't wait to see what you do next.
Dan Struble, Class of 2023
PhD Candidate, University of Southern Mississippi, Polymer Science & Engineering
Juliana Covarrubias, Class of 2022
Research and Development Project Engineer, Janicki Industries