A Guide to Materials Science and Engineering for Students

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March 11, 2024

A Guide to Materials Science and Engineering for Students

The fields of science and engineering offer a lot of promising career opportunities, from software development to biomedical engineering. But one option you may not have considered is becoming a materials engineer. Materials science is a field of science that allows you to do hands-on work to research and develop the materials of tomorrow. Many things that we use every day were developed by materials scientists, and these problem-solving professionals continue to make new breakthroughs all the time.

What Is Materials Science and Engineering?

Materials science and engineering is a scientific field that focuses on materials and how they are used. This includes the creation of new materials, the study of the properties of existing materials, and the development of new applications for materials. Materials science and engineering combines the science of how materials work on a molecular level with the practical problem-solving of engineers.

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What Do Materials Engineers Do?

Materials engineers create and improve materials to solve problems in our world. You might find a materials engineer in a chemistry lab experimenting with polymers, conducting tests of a material's tensile strength or heat resistance, analyzing their failures to see what they can learn, or collaborating on improving how a material is manufactured. Their work has created numerous materials that we rely on in everyday life, including semiconductors used in modern electronic devices, biodegradable plastics, more efficient solar panels, and the fiber used in bulletproof vests.

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What Careers Are There in Materials Science and Engineering?

Earning a degree in materials science and engineering can open up a lot of career possibilities, as materials engineers work in many different fields. You might become a research scientist at a large manufacturer, helping them to create new and better products, or go to work at NASA, developing better materials to use on spacecraft. You might put your skills to work in law enforcement as a forensic analyst or work for an automaker to create the next generation of fuel cells. Materials engineers work in quality control, advise federal government agencies, and teach at colleges. Some also become entrepreneurs, developing and selling their own products to other businesses or consumers.

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What Skills Do Materials Engineers Need?

To be a materials engineer, you need to have a solid understanding of chemistry and physics that you can apply to the study of different materials' properties and how they interact. You also need to have an analytical mind and good attention to detail. You should be a good problem-solver who can come up with innovative solutions and formulate ways to test them out. And any good materials engineer will need the skills that most people need to succeed in any workplace, such as the ability to manage their time and resources effectively, communicate and collaborate well with others, and follow best practices to keep themselves and their coworkers safe.

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How Much Do Materials Engineers Earn?

Materials engineers earn a median income of around $100,000 per year. Most materials engineers make between $60,000 and $160,000 per year, depending on their specific role, their employer, and their level of experience. And the demand for materials engineers is anticipated to rise over the coming decade, making becoming a materials engineer a good career option.