Admitted Students
Discover Materials Science and Engineering
Materials Science is a field with a broad impact, and our department is a lively community of students and faculty committed to shaping a better world through new materials. You can join us by majoring or minoring in MSE. As you prepare to come to campus, you can learn more about MSE in the following ways:
Get your free book
Curious about how MSE impacts critical technologies? Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World by Mark Miodownik is a great read and a great place to start your exploration of the material world. Complete the contact information form to receive your free eBook version!
Register for our ENGRI courses
All students must take an Introduction to Engineering (ENGRI) course as part of their degree requirements. This Fall, we’re offering two exciting materials-related areas:
Fall 2024:
ENGRI/MSE 1140: "Materials: Enabling the Future of Energy"
MWF 10:10-11:00 a.m., Prof. Bruce van Dover
New technologies are needed to meet global energy requirements while addressing climate change and sustainability. Innovative materials can increase our energy supply, facilitate transportation of energy, and decrease consumption. Topics include materials issues in photovoltaics, fuel cells, batteries, transportation, lighting, and building technologies.
ENGRI/MSE 1190: "Biomaterials for the Skeletal System"
TuThurs 10:10-11:25 a.m., Prof. Eve Donnelly
Biomaterials exist at the intersection of biology and engineering. This course explores materials in the human body, their properties and microstructure, and their synthetic and semi-synthetic replacements, including as examples bones, joints, teeth, tendons, and ligaments. Topics include mechanical properties, corrosion, toxicity, and biocompatibility.
Meet our undergrad student services coordinator
Michele Conrad is here to help you. You can reach out to her anytime at mmc2@cornell.edu. When you’re on campus, you can find her in the MSE Main Office on the 2nd floor of Bard Hall on any Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday before 3:30 p.m. She will greet you with a smile and plenty of useful information.
Join our discussion site
You can get answers and updates about MSE anytime via our undergraduate discussion site. In early July you will get an email inviting you to the site, if you haven't been invited by August, email Michele and request an invite!
Attend our undergrad welcome event
Join us on Wednesday, August 28, from 4:30p.m. to 5:30p.m. for our materials science and engineering undergraduate Welcome Picnic—watch for further details.
Stop by one of our undergrad social hours
We will gather every Wednesday (starting September 4) from 4:30p.m. to 5:30p.m. in the lounge on the 2nd floor of Bard Hall. Drop by anytime for a snack, a fun activity, and lots of conversation.