Overview
Materials Science and Engineering students study the conversion of natural substances into products for structural, microelectronics, optical, and biomedical use by using chemical and physical methods.
“Materials offers a different perspective on solving almost any engineering challenge. Every other discipline needs materials to do their job, so I get to learn about a variety of applications and innovations by studying the materials innovation behind them.” – Erik Korber, Materials Science and Engineering
What makes this program unique?
- Small class sizes
- Some of the world’s most advanced facilities including the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy
- Annual industrial tours to some of the most advanced manufacturing facilities in Canada.
- Strong contact with local industry and excellent employment opportunities.
Program Structure
The McMaster Materials Engineering Programmes are designed to permit studies over a broad base of fundamental topics, with the opportunity to specialize in specific materials systems in the upper years of the programme.
The Materials Engineering programmes are accredited with the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board, permitting subsequent admission to “P.Eng.” status following graduation and the completion of other requirements of the profession.
Materials Engineering requires a total of four years to complete. The Materials Engineering and Management, and the Materials Engineering & Society programmes require five years of study. The materials engineering content is identical between all three programs. In each case there is a common core which emphasizes materials structure and processing fundamentals, and the underlying basic physical chemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics that enable structure and processing. Major emphasis is placed on the relationship of materials properties to processing and to their engineering function for proper materials selection in engineering design.
In Levels III and IV, students may elect to specialize in one of the following areas:
- Biomaterials
- Data Analytics & Computational Materials
- Materials for Manufacturing & Infrastructure
- Smart Materials & Devices
B.Eng. – Specializations
Biomaterials |
Data Analytics & Computational Materials |
Materials for Manufacturing & Infastructure |
Smart Materials & Devices |
B.Eng. – Co-op and Experiential Learning
Experiential learning provides students with hands-on opportunities beyond the traditional lecture-style format to gain valuable experience.
Engineering Co-op Program
The Engineering Co-op Program is an optional program which provides you with the opportunity to work in real engineering positions before you graduate. The Undergraduate Co-op Program is administered by the Engineering Co-op and Career Services Department (ECCS).
Example Employers:
- Acuren
- TransCanada
- GE
- Xerox
- Boeing
- Bombardier
- Magna
- Huskey Energy
- UTC Aerospace Systems
Learn more about the co-op program
Extracurricular Activities
McMaster Engineering has many engineering clubs, teams and societies you can join to enhance your practical knowledge and soft skills, provide support, or give you the chance to explore new activities. Clubs are an enjoyable way to enrich your student life and contribute to your social development and academic success.
- Materials Science and Engineering Club
- Baja Racing
- Engineers without Borders
- Women in Engineering Society
B.Eng. – Careers and Research
Example Career Opportunities:
- Design Engineer
- Quality Control Engineer
- Process Control Engineer
- Failure Analyst
- Research Engineer
Research Areas
- Organic/polymer electronics
- Polymer fuel cells and systems
- Lightweight automotive materials
- Development of sustainable steelmaking processes and products
- Nano-engineering and thin-films
B.Eng. – Related Courses
Code | Title | Instructor | Outline | Info |
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CHEM ENG 4EC3 Technical Elective | Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Engineering |
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MATLS 2A04 Undergraduate | Introduction to Materials Engineering |
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MATLS 2B03 Undergraduate | Introduction to the Thermodynamics of Materials |
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MATLS 2Q03 Undergraduate | Electronic Properties of Materials |
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MATLS 3B03 Undergraduate | Manufacturing Engineering of Multifunctional & Biomedical Materials |
Sessional Instructor: Rakesh Sahu
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MATLS 3C03 Technical Elective | Applied Thermodynamics |
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MATLS 3E04 Undergraduate | Mass Transfer |
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MATLS 3F03 Undergraduate | High-Temperature Materials Production |
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MATLS 3J03 Undergraduate | Statistical Methods for Materials Engineers |
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MATLS 3M03 Undergraduate | Mechanical Behaviour of Materials |
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MATLS 3Q03 Technical Elective | Materials for Electronic Applications |
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MATLS 3T04 Undergraduate | Phase Transformations |
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MATLS 4B03 Technical Elective | Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering |
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MATLS 4C03 Technical Elective | Modern Iron and Steelmaking (Not offered 2023-24) |
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MATLS 4D03 Technical Elective | Corrosion and its Control (Not offered 2023-24) |
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MATLS 4FF3 Technical Elective | Synthesis , Applications and Environmental Impact of Nanomaterials |
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MATLS 4G03 Technical Elective | Characterization of Nanomaterials |
Sessional Instructor: Bita Pourbahari
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MATLS 4H03 Technical Elective | Thin Film Science and Engineering (Not Offered 2023-24) |
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MATLS 4I03 Undergraduate | Sustainable Manufacturing Processes |
Sessional Instructor: Muhammad Nabeel
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MATLS 4K06 Technical Elective | Senior Thesis |
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MATLS 4LA2 Undergraduate | Heat-Treatable Al Alloys |
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MATLS 4LB2 Undergraduate | Synthesis and Characterization of Biomedical Coatings |
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MATLS 4LF2 Undergraduate | Synthesis, Properties and Application of Thin Films |
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MATLS 4LS2 Undergraduate | Physical Metallurgy of Steels |
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MATLS 4ML3 Technical Elective | Applications of Machine Learning to Materials and Chemical Eng |
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MATLS 4NN3 Technical Elective | Computational Modelling in Materials Engineering at the Nano-scale |
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MATLS 4NP3 Technical Elective | Computational Modelling in Materials Engineering at the Process-scale (Not Offered 2023-24) |
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MATLS 4P03 Technical Elective | Properties of Polymeric Materials |
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MATLS 4Q03 Technical Elective | Materials for Sensors in Big Data & AI Systems (Not Offered 2023-24) |
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MATLS 4T03 Technical Elective | Properties and Processing of Composites |
Sessional Instructor: Florent Lefevre-Schlick
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MATLS 4Y03 Technical Elective | Advanced Biomaterials: Applications and Device Design |
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MATLS 4Z06 A/B Undergraduate | Materials Engineering Capstone |
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