Undergraduate Programs

Discover new and enhanced materials to improve performance of everything from metals and bridges to biological tissues and batteries when you earn a Bachelor of Science in materials engineering at UWM, the only program of its kind in Southeast Wisconsin.

Students who major in materials engineering at UWM learn to fabricate, characterize and synthesize materials of all kinds. You’ll receive instruction directly from top faculty and industry experts. We have the largest metal casting foundry in any academic institution in Wisconsin, and our labs are open to undergraduate and graduate researchers.

Strong Market Demand

The demand for materials engineers is strong: the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts it to grow by 7% (faster than average) from 2023-2023. This reflects the need for experts in the development and testing of new materials and products across diverse industries like aerospace, biomedicine, electronics, energy, and telecommunications.

Scholarships Available

In addition to the scholarships offered by UWM and our college, the Foundry Education Foundational (FEF) Program helps ensure great talent enters the profession and offers students—starting as soon as their freshmen year—annual, renewable scholarships and industry connections. More than 50% of students in this program receive scholarships ranging from $500-$2,000 each year. Over 200 of our students have been awarded these scholarships since UWM was named a FEF school in 1996.

Career Focused

Our materials engineering graduates are confident achievers who are in demand. You’ll find them at well-paid internships and co-ops and full-time careers at companies in a range of industries, including General Motors, Harley-Davidson, Kohler, Milwaukee Tool, Rockwell Automation, Signicast, Tesla and Waupaca Foundry.

Curriculum Flexibility

Though we have curriculum requirements, you’ll also find flexibility in the electives available to customize your experience. You can tailor your electives to focus on specific areas such as:

Advanced materials characterization
Biomaterials
Materials for energy application
Materials processing
Metal casting
Specific courses in ceramics, polymers, composites, and electronic materials

Materials Engineering

Major, MinorOn Campus

The BS program in Materials Science and Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Materials, Metallurgical, Ceramics and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Get started here: https://uwm.edu/admission/

Materials Engineering, BSE Course Catalog

You will be eligible for these honors in the major during your studies and upon completing your degree.

Students at UWM have many opportunities to earn honors recognition.

Materials engineering students work in teams to apply the skills they have learned over their years at our college in a year-long project.

Explore the kinds of projects our students have undertaken each semester.

Our college has an active chapter of American Foundry Society (AFS) that provides academic, hands-on, and career opportunities to students interested in metallurgy and the metal casting industry. See our college’s Student Organization page to find more information about getting involved.

The annual Research Poster Competition & Experiential Learning Expo is a signature event for our college. Students gain valuable communication experience sharing their research and out-of-classroom experiences with faculty and industry judges, who provide feedback.

You’ll appreciate the many teaching labs where you’ll get hands-on experience during your academic journey. The lab specific to materials engineering is the Foundry and Solidifcation Lab.

As an R1, or top tier, university, research is a significant focus of what we do and a benefit to you as an undergraduate student. Please reach out to our faculty to inquire about research opportunities or contact the UWM Office of Undergraduate Research.