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 104/1400 CHEM 101/1012 CHEM 053/1101 PHYS 140/0140/or MEAM 110/1100 ENGR 1010 or ENGR Elective |
MATH 114/1410 CHEM 102/1022 PHYS 141/0141 ENGR 105/1050 SS/H (WRIT) |
Year 2
| Fall | Spring |
| MATH 240/2400 MSE 201/2010 MSE 220/2200 MSE 221/2210 EAS 203/2030 (Ethics) |
MATH 241/2410 or ENM 251/2510 MSE 202/2020 MSE 215/2150 MSE 260/2600 SS/H |
Year 3
| Fall | Spring |
| MSE 301/3010 MSE 330/3300 MSE 360/3600 MATH TECH Elective |
MSE 393/3930 MSE Elective TECH Elective SS/H SS/H/TBS |
Year 4
| Fall | Spring |
| MSE 460/4600 MSE 495/4950 MSE Elective SS/H SS/H/TBS |
MSE 405/4050 MSE 440/4400 MSE 496/4960 FREE Elective |
1. Tech Electives are Engineering, Natural Science, or Mathematics courses.
2. VIPER Program: Students may substitute VIPER 120/1200 & 121/1210 for EAS 203/2030.
3. M&T joint degree or dual degree with Wharton (or with College) may use up to two (200/2000 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 545/5450 & EAS 546/5460 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 104/1400 CHEM 101/1012 CHEM 053/1101 PHYS 140/0140/or MEAM 110/1100 ENGR Elective SSH (e.g. writing requirement) |
MATH 114/1410 CHEM 102/1022 CHEM 054/1102 PHYS 141/0141 ENGR 105/1050 |
Year 2
| Fall | Spring |
| MATH 240/2400 MSE 220/2200 MSE 221/2210 TECH Elective SSH: EAS 203/2030 |
MATH 241/2410 or ENM251/2510 MSE 215/2150 MSE 250 MSE 260/2600 SSH |
Year 3
| Fall | Spring |
| MSE 330/3300 MSE 360/3600 ENGR Elective Mathematics FREE Elective |
MSE 393/3930 TECH Elective SSH FREE Elective FREE Elective |
Year 4
| Fall | Spring |
| MSE 460/4600 MSE 495/4950 TECH Elective SSH SSH |
MSE 405/4050 MSE 440/4400 MSE 496/4960 SSH ENGR Elective |
1. Tech Electives are Engineering, Natural Science, or Mathematics courses.
2. VIPER Program: Students may substitute VIPER 120/1200 and 121/1210 for EAS 203/2030.
3. M&T joint degree or dual degree with Wharton (or with College) may use up to two (200/2000 level and up) “NON” engineering courses in the non-engineering concentration in the Tech elective category, by petition.
4. EAS 545/5450 & EAS 546/5460 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. Eric Detsi
Associate Professor and Undergraduate Chair
detsi@seas.upenn.edu
Ms. Vicky Lee
Undergraduate Program Coordinator
LRSM, Room 201
Phone: 215-898-8337
vickylt@seas.upenn.edu
Office Hours with Professor Detsi:
Please contact Vicky Lee to schedule a meeting.