CES Majors |
 |
College of Engineering & Science |
CES Majors |
|
College of Engineering & Science |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Materials Science & Engineering
Transform the earth's mineral and organic materials into advanced engineering materials and specialized products. Develop automotive and aerospace components. Light the way for revolutionary photonics research. Create high-performance biomimetic materials and processes. Clemson's materials science and engineering program is designed for students with an avid interest in how and why materials behave the way they do and a desire to be at the forefront of this interdisciplinary 21st century renaissance field.
A Novel Field
The School of Materials Science and Engineering offers undergraduate degrees in ceramic and materials engineering and in polymer and fiber chemistry. Students learn to understand, characterize and develop technology needed to process and manufacture new materials and the resulting specialized products.
 Above: Synthetic plastic "opals," so named because they mimic the interaction with light exhibited by natural opals, are the research work of Steve Foulger, an associate professor of materials science and a founding member of Clemson University's Center for Optical Materials and Science and Engineering Technologies (COMSET). Foulger's work could pave the way for fast, reliable and less expensive sensors that detect chemical agents in order to combat their potential use as instruments of terror. Researchers affiliated with COMSET attracted more than $13 million in sponsored research during the center's first four years. Recent graduates from the School of Materials Science and Engineering have found positions at leading industries, including Milliken, Kosa, WestPoint Stevens, Kimberly Clark, Cognis, Shakespeare, Martin ColorFi, Avondale Mills, PARA-CHEM Southern, Velcro and Precision Fabrics.
Clemson's polymer and fiber chemistry program is among the most established and respected in the nation. Classes are small, with emphasis on academic excellence supported by practical experience gained both in applied labs and through interaction with the area's many polymer, fiber and specialty textile materials industries.
The B.S. programs emphasize science and new technology for tomorrow's smart fibers, fabrics and materials. Students graduating with a degree in polymer and fiber chemistry are also well prepared for graduate studies in material sciences or engineering. Undergraduate research, a senior research class and numerous in-class group projects enable students to test their skills and understanding, while industry trade shows, site tours and professional conferences provide valuable networking opportunities.
Ceramic and materials engineers design, develop and participate in the manufacture of both standard and new materials intended for use in a wide variety of industries with diverse applications, including
The broad scope of industrial responsibilities assumed by ceramic and materials engineers requires knowledge in mathematics, science, engineering and the social sciences; skills in problemsolving, engineering analysis and design; and an aptitude in written and oral communication.
Clemson's program integrates laboratory with classroom experiences to prepare students for lifelong learning. Courses covering thermodynamics, kinetics, mechanical behavior, processing and characterization of materials prepare students for careers in industry and for graduate school.
Preserving the Hunley
Casey Hancock, a polymer and fiber chemistry major and Clemson National Scholar, was awarded a summer grant to be part of an international team of scientists studying the Civil War-era submarine H.L. Hunley and its artifacts. “My major includes discussions of not only polymers, but also metals, ceramics and glasses — particularly the chemistry and physical properties of these materials,” says Casey. “The chemistry we learn in my polymer classes can be applied to the studies being done on the Hunley. My faculty adviser at Clemson, Dr. Michael Drews, is spearheading the development of a novel treatment system, possibly involving a subcritical water treatment or polymer coating on the surface of the vessel.”
The teaching and research facilities of the School of Materials Science and Engineering include photonics, organic electronics, color measurement, physical testing, and chemical and analytical instrumentation labs. Other specialized equipment and instrumentation for studying rheology, fabricating composites, characterizing the structures of advanced ceramics, polymers, fibers and textile materials are available in individual faculty research labs and through research partners.
|