Department Mission Statement

The mission of the Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) Department at Virginia Tech is to lead the multidisciplinary efforts of the College of Engineering, the University, and the Commonwealth in the field of Materials Science and Engineering through our programs of undergraduate and graduate education, research, and continuing education. In service to our many constituencies, we are committed to the excellence of the contributions of faculty members, staff, and students, as judged by the principles and philosophies to which we aspire.

Within the College of Engineering and University: The mission is to lead innovative, quality educational and research programs in all aspects of Materials Science and Engineering. This involves university-wide opportunities and multidisciplinary collaboration with a number of other Departments, Centers, and Colleges. We are committed to helping undergraduate and graduate students reach their full potential by providing a supportive learning environment in which to teach disciplinary competence and the skills required to live and work in a complex technological society.

Within the Commonwealth: The mission is to provide educational programs, research discoveries, and engineering services that support and expand the economy and improve the quality of life for its citizens. We are committed to providing outreach services to the citizens of Virginia through innovative distance learning and "in-person" programs in collaboration with industry, the Virginia Community College System, and other institutions of learning in the Commonwealth.

Within the Nation and the World: The mission is to expand the knowledge base of the materials discipline and to educate society with regard to the effective and responsible use of materials. We are committed to developing a department that is recognized internationally for the excellence of its education and research and for the high quality of its graduates.