Materials Engineering

UD has strong connections to Wright Patterson Air Force Base, the largest materials engineering research facility in the U.S., and the largest single-site employer in Ohio. You'll benefit from faculty who have real-world experience working in materials engineering industries or for the government, as well as opportunities for undergraduate research with these faculty.

UD, University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) and the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) are a hub of materials research, and as a co-major student, you'll have direct access to these faculty and professional researchers, providing access to research opportunities. Faculty, as well as the Engineering Co-op and Internship Office, can connect you with local and national industries hiring for materials co-ops and internships.

Ready to take the next step? Explore admission options or schedule an academic visit to learn more about materials engineering at UD.

About the Program

This program equips students with a strong foundation in the structure–property–processing–performance relationships of materials, enabling them to analyze, select and design materials for industrial applications. 

The curriculum emphasizes material design, synthesis and characterization, while exploring how different types of materials are applied in products ranging from everyday items to cutting-edge technologies. You'll also examine the role of innovative and emerging materials in advancing new technologies and industrial applications.

Examples of courses offered in the co-major include:

• Principles of Materials I/II
• Techniques of Material Analysis
• Mechanical Behavior of Materials
• Principles of Material Selection
• Introduction to Polymer Science
• Additive Manufacturing
• Advanced Composites

Primary Major Options

• Chemical Engineering (B.C.E.)
• Mechanical Engineering (B.M.E.)

Why a Co-Major?

Having a materials engineering specialization in addition to a primary engineering field provides depth and differentiation to your technical qualifications, providing a competitive advantage for post-graduate employment or graduate school.

Declaring the Co-Major

Students can apply to the materials engineering co-major on the admission application. Because co-majors must be paired with a primary major, students who apply to the materials engineering co-major will be placed in the Discover Engineering program as their primary major. Admitted students can change their primary major by contacting the Office of Recruitment and Admission, or enrolled students can meet with their advisor to declare either chemical engineering or mechanical engineering as their primary major.

Additional Information

With appropriate academic planning, you can complete a co-major within the standard eight semesters — even with the additional credits it requires. You and your holistic academic advisor can work together to plan your degree path. You also can use our online Transfer Credit Evaluation tool to find out which college credits you've already earned (e.g., transfer credit, CCP, AP/IB/CLEP exams) might apply to your undergraduate degree.

Please contact Mike Elsass if you have additional questions about this co-major.

Additional Chemical and Materials Engineering Programs

• Chemical Engineering (B.C.E.)
• Chemical Engineering: Energy Systems-Chemical (B.C.E.)
• Bioengineering (Co-Major)
• Bioengineering (Minor)
• Composite Materials Engineering (Minor)
• Energy Production Engineering (Minor)
• Food Engineering (Minor)
• Materials Engineering (Minor)
• Chemical Engineering (M.S.)
• Materials Engineering (M.S.)
• Materials Engineering (D.E., Ph.D.)
• Composite Materials Engineering (Graduate Certificate)

Additional Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Programs

• Mechanical Engineering (B.M.E.)
• Mechanical Engineering: Aerospace Engineering (B.M.E.)
• Mechanical Engineering: Energy Systems-Mechanical (B.M.E.)
• Aerospace Engineering (Minor)
• Human Movement Biomechanics (Minor)
• Aerospace Engineering (M.S.)
• Mechanical Engineering (M.S.)
• Renewable and Clean Energy Engineering (M.S.)
• Aerospace Engineering (D.E., Ph.D.)
• Mechanical Engineering (D.E., Ph.D.)

Discover Programs

• Discover Engineering (Undecided)
• Discover Engineering Technology (Undecided)

Rooted in our Catholic, Marianist traditions, the University of Dayton is dedicated to being transparent and ensuring student success. And with high graduation and success rates, UD is an excellent value.

To help you cover your costs, a variety of scholarships, grants, loans and part-time work study are available. The University also accepts transfer credits and credit by exam for undergraduates, giving you more flexibility to add a double major or minor or participate in a transformational experience like study abroad or co-op.