• Department Mission Statement
• MSE Department Historical Timeline
• Outcomes Assessment Report to the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV)
  

A degree from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) in Virginia Tech's nationally ranked College of Engineering will open many doors for young engineers at all levels. The faculty and staff in this small, close-knit department provide an atmosphere where academic and personal growth go hand-in-hand. The diverse faculty and technical staff have combined expertise in development, manufacturing, characterization, testing and application of ceramic, metal, polymer, composite and microelectronic materials systems. They have worked extensively with companies ranging from aerospace and automotive to chemical and biomedical; from nuclear fuels, energy generation and petroleum products to heavy equipment and defense industries. The quality of these individuals and the students who graduate from the program will provide the basis for future growth of MSE at Virginia Tech.

Some of the unique aspects of MSE include:

• We have 17 full teaching faculty as well as 4 instructors for a student body of 60 undergraduates and 47 graduates.
  
• The department supports an MSE Communications Program Center where students receive instruction in writing and communications as an integral part of their studies.
  
• Students at all levels participate in the Materials Engineering Professional Societies (MEPS), an umbrella organization that promotes professional development in all areas of materials.
• Approximately 30 percent of our student body is female.
  
• Over 100 percent of our undergraduate students with QCAs over 3.0 have recently been supported by scholarships.
  
• Six of the teaching and research faculty members are recognized as Fellows of at least one professional engineering organization.
  
• We have over 26,000 square feet of space spanning Holden, Hancock, Torgersen and Whittemore Halls as well as Collegiate Square. Faculty and undergraduate teaching facilities are located primarily in Holden Hall and Collegiate Square.
  
  

The MSE department has as its objective to be in the top 10 departments in the country. In order to achieve this ambitious goal, we will have to make strides forward in several areas. Below is a summary of where we are and where we want to be by 2010.

Critical Areas	In 2001	By 2010
Faculty	12 full time teaching faculty in all sub-disciplines of materials	19 world-renown experts as full-time teaching faculty in all sub-disciplines of materials
Graduate Students	49	95, and only the very best apply!
Undergraduate Students	69	Capped at 120 with an average freshman GPA of 3.5
Space	26,430 ft^2 of labs and offices	50,000 ft^2 of modern labs and offices, including a 5000 ft^2 major characterization center and a 5000 ft^2 cleanroom facility
Funding	$1.5 million in federal and industry grants	$7 to 8 million in federal and industry grants
International Ties	With major universities in France and Brazil	With major universitites in France, Germany, Japan, Brazil, India and China

Our vision for the Department of Materials Science and Engineering is to be recognized internationally for:

• Providing outstanding, state-of-the-art undergraduate and graduate education, and
  
• Conducting cutting edge, visionary research in materials.
  

We will achieve this goal, always mindful to retain the unique characteristics that make MSE a special place to be at Virginia Tech.