Our MSE Undergraduate Curriculum
MSE in many ways is one of the broadest degrees that you can receive in engineering. At the heart of our curriculum is the understanding of how the structure of matter is manipulated to create materials with valuable properties (mechanical, electrical, optical etc.) that will address the problems in the world – from energy to consumer electronics to construction to healthcare. As such, armed with an MSE degree you will have the ability to invent technologies that can shape any industry.
We also have been very thoughtful in how we are teaching our courses and pull specific threads through our core MSE courses (like writing and presentation giving) to ensure that all our graduates are armed with real world skills that will complement their technical prowess.
Sample Curriculum for Students Entering Fall 2020 & After
37 Credit Units
Year 1
| Fall | Spring |
| MATH 104 CHEM 101 CHEM 053 PHYS 140/or MEAM 110 ENGR 101 or ENGR Elective |
MATH 114 CHEM 102 PHYS 141 ENGR 105 SS/H (WRIT) |
Year 2
| Fall | Spring |
| MATH 240 MSE 201 MSE 220 MSE 221 EAS 203 (Ethics) |
MATH 241 or ENM251 MSE 202 MSE 215 MSE 260 SS/H |
Year 3
| Fall | Spring |
| MSE 301 MSE 330 MSE 360 MATH TECH Elective |
MSE 393 MSE Elective TECH Elective SS/H SS/H/TBS |
Year 4
| Fall | Spring |
| MSE 460 MSE 495 MSE Elective SS/H SS/H/TBS |
MSE 405 MSE 440 MSE 496 FREE Elective |
1. Tech Electives are Engineering, Natural Science, or Mathematics courses.
2. VIPER Program: Students may substitute VIPER 120/121 for EAS 203.
3. M&T joint degree or dual degree with Wharton (or with College) may use up to two (200 level and up) “NON” engineering courses in the non-engineering concentration in the Tech elective category, by submitting the MSE Course Substitution Form.
4. EAS 545 & EAS 546 can be Tech electives, by submitting the MSE Course Substitution Form.
Course Planning Guide for MSE Students Entering Fall 2020 & After
Sample Curriculum for Students Entering Before Fall 2020
40 Total Credit Units
Year 1
| Fall | Spring |
| MATH 104 CHEM 101 CHEM 053 PHYS 140/or MEAM 110 TECH Elective SSH (e.g. writing requirement) |
MATH 114 CHEM 102 CHEM 054 PHYS 141 TECH Elective: ENGR 105 |
Year 2
| Fall | Spring |
| MATH 240 MSE 220 MSE 221 TECH Elective SSH: EAS 203 |
MATH 241 or ENM251 MSE 215 MSE 250 MSE 260 SSH |
Year 3
| Fall | Spring |
| MSE 330 MSE 360 ENGR Elective Mathematics FREE Elective |
MSE 393 TECH Elective SSH FREE Elective FREE Elective |
Year 4
| Fall | Spring |
| MSE 460 MSE 495 TECH Elective SSH SSH |
MSE 405 MSE 440 MSE 496 SSH ENGR Elective |
1. Tech Electives are Engineering, Natural Science, or Mathematics courses.
2. VIPER Program: Students may substitute VIPER 120/121 for EAS 203.
3. M&T joint degree or dual degree with Wharton (or with College) may use up to two (200 level and up) “NON” engineering courses in the non-engineering concentration in the Tech elective category, by petition.
4. EAS 545 & EAS 546 can be Tech electives, by petition.
Course Planning Guide for MSE Students Entering Before Fall 2020*
*and after Fall 2017.
For MSE Majors who entered before Fall 2017, please contact Vicky Lee for planning materials.
MSE Concentrations
Within a major, students can pursue concentrations that will appear in their official transcript. Within MSE we offer three concentrations:
- Electronic and Optical Devices and Sensors
- Energy and Sustainability
- Nanotechnology
MSE Minors
Also In This Section:
Contacts:
Dr. Vanessa Chan
Professor and Undergraduate Chair
vanessazchan@seas.upenn.edu
Ms. Vicky Lee
Undergraduate Program Coordinator
LRSM, Room 201
Phone: 215-898-8337
vickylt@seas.upenn.edu