Our Community
Although we are one of the largest accredited materials engineering programs in the United States, our department has the feel of a small private college. With a low student-to-faculty ratio, our 150 students are known by name and learn side-by-side with our faculty in the laboratory. Our students often praise the family atmosphere, the camaraderie among their MatE majors and the caring faculty. We emphasize hands-on learning through practical lab work and engaging projects.
We believe that giving back to our community is part of our social responsibility.
Faculty and staff members invest themselves in our local community. Our faculty and staff are active in giving back to society through a variety of avenues: advisors to student clubs, volunteers for local community organizations, and hosting events for local grade schools.
Faculty serve within our professional communities. Our faculty are called upon to serve as guest editors for international publications, panelist for conferences, reviewers for National Science Foundation grant programs, and guest speakers for international conferences, or leaders for committees within international professional societies.