Materials Science and Engineering—Trends and Issues

Reza Abbaschian

NMAB

October 21, 2002

Outline

• Educational Trends and Issues

• Structural Trends and Issues

• Splintered Professional Certification

• Incoherent professional Representation

• Reduced Core Funding(e.g. DOE)

• Blurred Boundaries

Core elements of Materials Science and Engineering

Source: Materials Science and Engineering for the 1990s, NRC, 1989

Source: Materials science and engineering—forging stronger links to users, NRC 1999

Materials Science and Engineering Core, including the end-user

Basic Sciencesand engineering

Materials Scienceand Engineering

Empiricalknowledge andSocietal Needs

BROADENING OF MATERIAL FIELD

Educational Challenges

Integrated Education

Balanced Science and Engineering Education

Undergraduate CurriculaBased on 11 departments

• Science topics: 28-37 credits, average 33

• Humanities: 31-37, average 24

• Engineering: 13-19, average 16

• Materials: 27-53, average 37

• Tech Electives: 8-24, average 11

• Free Electives: 0-15

• Specialization: yes and no

Core Topics for MSE Curriculum• Introduction to Materials• Experimental Techniques• Thermodynamics• Transport Properties• Phase Equilibria• Phase Transformation• Kinetics• Structure• Characterization• Mechanical Behavior• Electronic, Magnetic, and Optical Behavior• Synthesis, Processing, and Manufacturing• Materials Selection and Design• Failure Analysis

UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATIONBasic Sciences

Basic EngineeringMaterials Core

(Processing-Properties-Structure-Applications of All Materials)

Materials Science and Engineering

Ceramics Electronics Metals Polymers

Processing*

Properties

Structure

Applications

* Synthesis-Processing-Manufacturing continuum

Materials S

cience an

d E

ngin

eering

Ver

tica

l In

tegr

atio

n

Horizontal Integration

Specialization

MATRIX COVERAGE OF MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

(UF Model)

Energetics/Kinetics Transformations

Intro Materials Characterization

Stability

Selection/Failure 2 coursesResearch/Design

Mats Lab

Mechanical Behavior

Metals Engineering

Ceramics Engineering

Polymers Science

Electronic Behavior

6 - 9 Hours Electives

15 - 18 semester hours in one specialization

Metals Specialization

Ceramics Specialization

Polymer Specialization

Electronic specialization

 Curricula have become shorter as universities have been forced

to reduce B.S. degrees to a maximum of 128 credits. At the same time, the topic matter has broadened with

the introduction of coursework on all classes of materials. Thus, subjects common in the 1960’s are often missing from MSE and Metallurgical curricula today.

Analytical ChemistryPhysical Chemistry

StatisticsStatic

Strength of MaterialsMass and Energy Balances

Deformation ProcessingJoining

Melting and RefiningThermal Processing

  

The larger departments can afford to offer many courses as electives and have enough students to justify them. Smaller departments cannot.

Source: ASEE Engineering Statistics 2001

Source: ASEE Engineering Statistics 2001

Source: ASEE Engineering Statistics 2001

Source: ASEE Engineering Statistics 2001

Source: ASEE Engineering Statistics 2001

Source: ASEE Engineering Statistics 2001

Materials degrees per year

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Year

Num

ber o

f Deg

rees B.S. Degrees

M.S. Degrees

Ph.D. Degrees

B.S. Degrees granted in Metals/Materials /CeramicsFields

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Year

Num

ber o

f Deg

rees Met./Materials

Ceramic

Combined

Ceramic Engr. Trend

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Num

ber o

f deg

rees

per

yea

r B.S.

M.S.

Ph.D.

Materials Programs offering Undergraduate Education 

Total Programs = 69 Degree titles:

Metallurgical Engineering 11Metallurgical and Materials Engr. 5Materials Engineering 12Materials Science 4Materials Science and Mineral Engr. 1Materials Science and Engineering 25Materials Option under Chemical Engr. 4Materials Option under Mechanical Engr. 5Ceramic Engineering 7Polymer Science & Engr. 4

 

Average Faculty FTE 15.1 for 28 represnetative departments

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Department number

Eq

uiv

ale

nt

Fu

ll T

ime

Average

Faculty size

Source: UMC

Faculty Head Count Average of 107 Departments:16.4 in 1993 vs 18.3 in 2000

Source: ASM Education yearbook, 1993 and 2000

Source: ASEE Engineering Statistics 2001

Source: ASEE Engineering Statistics 2001

Consolidation of Departments

• Between 1993 and 2000, fifteen departments out of 107 in North America were merged or consumed by other departments. Examples:– Mat Sci and Eng Chemical &Materials Eng

– Interdisciplinary Program

– Chemical & Biochem Eng

– Mat Engineering Mech & Mat Eng

– Met & Mat Eng Mech, Mat & Aero Eng Source: ASM Education Yearbook, 1993 and 2000

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Ceramic and MaterialsEngineering

Ceramic Engineering

Ceramic Engineering Science

Ceramic Science and Engineering

Ceramic Option in MSE

Glass Engineering Science

Total

2002

1989

Trends in ABET Accreditation

Ceramic Programs

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Composites

Electrical Eng/MSE

Extractive Met Eng

Materials Engineering

Materials & Met Eng

Materials Science and Engineering

Mat Sci and En(ceramics Option)

Mat Sci and En(Electronics Option)

Mat Sci and En(Metals Option)

MSE option in Met Eng

Metallurgical Engineering

Met Eng & Mat Sci

Metals Science & Eng

Mienerals Engineering

Mineral Processing Eng

Mineral Process Eng option in MSE

Plastics Engineering

Total

20021989

Diversity and Trends in ABET Accreditation

Metallurgy & Materials Programs

((In comparison, over 99% of around 230 ME departments are accredited in Mech Eng.))

Structure

Synthesis & Processing

Applications

Properties

Chemical Engineering, DentalAEMES, Civil, Electrical & Mechanical Engineering

Chemistry, Medical Physics, Electrical Engineering

MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH APPROACH

Source: ASEE Engineering Statistics 2001

Field NSF NASA DOD DOE DHHS DOATotal S&E 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Total sciences 81.6 83.3 59.8 87.9 99.3 96.6 Physical sciences 21.1 41.9 10.5 58.9 1.5 4.7 Chemistry 6.9 2.1 3.7 9.1 1.4 4.6 Physics 8.1 15.7 6.0 49.7 0.1 0.0 Other 4.1 3.4 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 Computer sciences 13.4 3.8 20.6 0.6 0.2 0.0 Life sciences 17.6 7.6 15.7 13.2 88.9 81.6 Biology (excluding environmental) 12.9 3.2 6.3 9.1 47.8 19.7 Total engineering 18.4 16.7 40.2 12.1 0.7 3.4 Aeronautical 0.0 5.3 3.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 Astronautical 0.0 5.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 Chemical 2.0 0.2 1.3 3.3 0.0 0.1 Civil 1.8 0.0 0.2 0.8 0.0 0.0 Electrical 2.2 1.2 13.6 0.5 0.0 0.0 Mechanical 0.3 1.4 5.2 1.6 0.0 0.0 Materials 5.4 2.1 9.9 2.9 0.0 0.0 Other 6.6 1.2 6.6 2.9 0.7 3.3

Academic Research Obligations:FY 1999

Source: Science & Engineering Indicators-2002

Appendix table 5-13.Federal academic research obligations provided by major agencies, by field: FY 1999

(Percentages)National Department

Six- National Aeronautics Department Department of Health Departmentagency Science and Space of of and Human of

Field total FoundationAdministration Defense Energy Services AgricultureTotal S&E 100.0 16.3 5.8 7.7 4.4 62.0 3.8 Total sciences 100.0 14.4 5.3 5.0 4.2 67.0 4.0 Physical sciences 100.0 33.1 23.6 7.8 25.0 8.8 1.7 Chemistry 100.0 37.4 4.1 9.6 13.5 29.6 5.9 Physics 100.0 26.9 18.6 9.4 44.4 0.6 0.0 Mathematics 100.0 63.8 1.0 15.3 10.7 8.9 0.2 Computer sciences 100.0 52.9 5.4 38.7 0.6 2.5 0.0 Total engineering 100.0 36.5 11.9 38.0 6.5 5.5 1.6 Aeronautical 100.0 0.0 54.8 45.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 Astronautical 100.0 0.0 96.5 3.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 Chemical 100.0 55.0 2.3 17.3 25.0 0.0 0.5 Civil 100.0 85.2 0.3 3.7 10.6 0.0 0.2 Electrical 100.0 23.9 4.6 70.0 1.6 0.0 0.0 Mechanical 100.0 9.0 13.0 66.0 11.9 0.0 0.1 Materials 100.0 46.3 6.6 40.5 6.6 0.0 0.0 Other 100.0 45.7 3.0 21.5 5.4 19.2 5.2

NOTES: Academic research includes both basic and applied research. The six agencies shown are the only ones that report their research obligations to academia by S&E field; they represent approximately 97 percent of academic research obligations.

SOURCES: National Science Foundation, Division of Science Resources Studies (NSF/SRS), Federal Funds for Research and Development: Fiscal Years 1999, 2000, and 2001 , Detailed Statistical Tables, Vol. 49, NSF 01-328 (Arlington, VA, 2001); and NSF, annual series.

See figure 5-13 in Volume 1.

Science & Engineering Indicators – 2002

Source: Science & Engineering Indicators-2002

0

5

10

15

20

25Ae

rosp

ace Au

to

Biom

edic

al

Cera

mic

s

Chem

ical

Elec

troni

cs

Gov

ernm

ent

Law/

Med

ical

Met

als

Plas

tics

Sale

s/Se

rvic

es

Self

Empl

oyed

Acad

emia

Employment Sector

%

1971 - 19801981 - 19901991 - 2000Total (71 - 00)

MSE Employment Profile(all degrees)Data based on 620 UF-MSE graduates

Source: Occupational Outlook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2002-2003

Source: Occupational Outlook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2002-2003

Summary• Materials Science and Engineering has expanded greatly in

recent years and will continue to do so, most likely at an evenfaster pace.

• Various studies show that MSE is crucial to the quality of life, tothe the national defense, and to the economic security andcompetitiveness of the nation.

• The broadening of MSE educational and research activitiesrequires an integrated and well-balanced science andengineering education that covers all materials.

• MSE departments are challenged by lack of visibility, cohesion,small enrollment, shrinking faculty, consolidation, and reducedresearch in the core areas.

• Lack of a unified professional representation makes it moredifficult to address issues necessary to sustain the education andtraining in this crucial discipline.