The mission of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania is:

• To design and deliver educational programs of the highest quality that will prepare students for global leadership positions in the industrial, academic and public sectors;
• To extend the frontiers of knowledge in materials science and engineering through intellectual leadership in research and scholarship; and
• To enable technological excellence by stimulating innovation in the science and engineering of materials.

Within a few years of graduation, graduates of the Bachelors of Science and Engineering Program in Materials Science and Engineering will:

1. Excel in careers in materials science and engineering practice and research in materials-relevant industries, such as biomedical, electronics, energy, telecommunications, and transportation.
2. Excel in top ranked engineering graduate programs and professional schools.
3. Make use of the rigor and creativity of our materials science and engineering program to excel in diverse career paths, including business, medicine, law, government, and education.
4. Be quantitative, critical, creative and independent thinkers who direct their technical expertise towards addressing the needs of society.
5. Be recognized as leaders in their chosen fields, sensitive to the social, ethical, and technical implications of their work and its impact on the environment, safety and health of citizens worldwide.

Students graduating with a degree in Materials Science and Engineering have:

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2. 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
3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. 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
5. 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
6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.