Matthew Beck, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies
Materials Engineering
m.beck@uky.eduNearly all technological progress requires the ability to engineer materials to meet specific needs. Materials engineers study the relationships between the underlying structure, processing, properties and performance of materials and employ this insight to formulate new or improved materials for use across a variety of industries. The modern materials engineering discipline encompasses metals, ceramics, polymers and composites, electronic materials and biomaterials. Materials characterization – the use of state-of-the-art instruments to determine material composition and structure – plays a key role in materials engineering practice.
Materials Engineering students at UK experience an environment where faculty are readily accessible both inside and outside the classroom, and have the chance to grow personally and professionally through hands-on research projects, industrial
cooperative education and service opportunities. You’ll study a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, chemistry and physics, as well as core engineering topics related to the central classes of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers and electronic materials), their characterization, processing and implementation in engineering design. Electives address specialized topics in materials engineering and include courses on biomaterials, composites, corrosion, energy storage, materials manufacturing and nanomaterials technology. Materials engineering majors can elect to pursue a minor in biomedical engineering focused on biomaterials, as well as certificates in nanoengineering and power and energy.
Industries Looking for You
“Materials engineering is a lot about integrating fundamental science and engineering, and I absolutely fell in love with it.”
2017 Materials Engineering Graduate, Materials Engineering Ph.D. Student
The Pigman College of Engineering offers multiple pathways to undergraduate admission -- both as an incoming freshman or transfer student.
Admission requirements for incoming freshmen can be accessed here.
Admission requirements for transfer students can be accessed here.
Engineering Standing
All incoming freshmen and transfer students admitted to the Pigman College of Engineering have their major listed as "Pre-Aerospace Engineering", "Pre-Biomedical Engineering", etc. on their admission letter and in our academic system, myUK. Engineering Standing will be achieved, and the pre- designation will be dropped from the major name, once the student achieves a minimum cumulative GPA and a minimum GPA in select courses. You may view the select courses in the University Bulletin.
The smartest, most talented engineers around the world are devoting themselves to tackling immense global challenges. As a student in the UK Pigman College of Engineering, you get to join them!
In 2008, the National Academy of Engineering identified 14 “Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st Century”—opportunities to greatly increase humanity’s sustainability, health, security and joy of living. Themes include making solar energy economical, enhancing virtual reality, reverse-engineering the brain, securing cyberspace, providing access to clean water and more.
These ambitious goals demand engineers roll up their sleeves and get to work, which is why we put them front and center during your first year as an engineering student. We have designed the First-Year Engineering (FYE) program to inspire you. We want you to discover your passion. We want you to explore where you might make your unique contribution. We want you to get your hands dirty and make stuff that might, one day, lead to a breakthrough.
Why wait until you’re taking upper-level classes to figure out what interests you? Through real engineering classes taught by top faculty and exposure to engineering’s greatest challenges, the FYE program gets you into the game from day one.
The following curriculum meets the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering, provided the student satisfies the graduation requirements of the Pigman College of Engineering
2023-24 Curriculum Previous CurriculaActive professional and honorary student organizations are an integral part of the educational experience in the Pigman College of Engineering. The Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering is home to the student chapter of Material Advantage, as well as the Alpha Sigma Mu honorary. Members of Material Advantage gather for regular meetings featuring speakers from industry and academia, participate in field trips, networking and community service opportunities and attend regional and national professional conferences. In addition, many of our undergraduates participate in student organizations that include members of all majors.
Thanks to special agreements through the Academic Common Market, residents from the following states may enroll in the University of Kentucky Materials Engineering program and qualify for in-state tuition rates:
These agreements are subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information on the Academic Common Market, click here.
Many of our students undertake co-op placements or summer internships to gain valuable experience in industries that employ materials engineers. The Engineering Career and Co-op Center provides students valuable assistance in developing job, co-op and internship search skills, facilitates placement for education abroad programs and research opportunities and helps with career network development so you can secure a rewarding career in your chosen field of study.
Materials engineers are responsible for the selection, preparation and implementation of existing materials and for the development of new and improved materials – they work at the forefront of rapidly changing technical areas, where the application of novel, precisely engineered materials is crucial for technological advancement. Materials engineers are critical to all areas of engineering endeavor and the Pigman College of Engineering at UK has a very high rate of placement for its Materials Engineering graduates. Our alumni work in a wide range of materials related industries, including metals and metals processing; ceramics and electronic materials; biomaterials, implants and medical devices; automotive, aerospace, construction and telecommunications; military and security applications; and sports and recreational products.
Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a wide range of products.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$104,100
per year in 2023
Number of Jobs
22,300
in 2023
10 Year Job Outlook
1,100
new jobs (average)
Materials engineers generally work in offices where they have access to computers and design equipment. Others work in factories or research and development laboratories. Materials engineers typically work full time and may work overtime hours when necessary.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Matthew Beck, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies
Materials Engineering
m.beck@uky.eduPigman College of Engineering
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering
157 F. Paul Anderson Tower
Lexington, KY 40506-0046
(859) 257-0039
