What is MATE?
Materials Engineering is the study of the relationship between the atomic/molecular structure of materials, the way we process these materials to alter the structure, and the way that the structure influences the properties of the material. The ultimate goal is to optimize the performance of a material for a given design application by manipulating the structure, processing and property relationship.
Why MATE at Cal Poly?
Cal Poly Materials Engineering is the only primarily undergraduate materials engineering program of the 53 Materials Science and Engineering departments in the United States. We are student-centered with lots of hands-on learning by doing. Students proudly refer to our department as being a family because students, faculty and staff know and support each other.
Faculty and staff are dedicated to providing a positive learning environment where students learn engineering fundamentals, gain experience with materials characterization and testing equipment, and develop teamwork and professional skills. The MATE curriculum allows flexibility with breadth electives, as well as specialization with technical electives.
Vision
Our vision is to collaboratively address the grand challenges of our time, especially sustainability and transformative learning, through our materials engineering program.
Program Educational Objectives
Students who graduate from our program will:
- Holistically address complex challenges, drawing from materials engineering understanding and life experiences.
- Live meaningful, socially-beneficial lives, enriched by their engineering education.
- Exemplify the ability to be proactive and adaptable throughout their lives.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively in various contexts and on diverse teams.
- Have personally fulfilling careers as professionals with increasing responsibility and impact in their organizations.
Student Outcomes
The BS degree program in Materials Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Materials(1), Metalurgical(2), Ceramics (3) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria. The Materials Engineering program has adopted the following ABET Student Outcomes. All graduates of our program shall demonstrate
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
- An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
- An integrated understanding of scientific and engineering principles underlying the four major elements of the field: structure, properties, processing, and performance related to materials systems
- An ability to apply and integrate knowledge from each of the above four elements of the field to solve materials selection and design problems
Link to Enrollment and Graduation Data
Mission
Our mission is to be a vibrant, creative, and effectual learning community that cultivates the unique capabilities of each member of our community to thrive in a complex, interconnected, technological, and ever-changing world.
