Bachelor's Degree in Materials Engineering
OVERVIEW
Who is this program for?
The bachelor's degree program in Materials Engineering is ideal for students fascinated by developing and improving materials that enhance technology and manufacturing, from metals and ceramics to polymers and composites. Graduates gain expertise in materials science, properties analysis, and fabrication processes, preparing them for careers as materials scientists, product development engineers, or quality control specialists in industries like aerospace, automotive, and electronics.
Program Overview
From smartphones to spacecrafts, nearly all modern innovations depend on materials that are engineered to perform. In Materials Engineering, you’ll learn how to design and improve the materials that improve lives and power our technologies, such as metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, biomaterials, and more! Materials students explore the connections between structure, processing, properties, and performance to create smarter, stronger, lighter, and more sustainable materials. In completing our program, you’ll gain extensive hands-on experience in labs, working with cutting-edge tools that will prepare you for a career in industries such as aerospace, energy, electronics, and manufacturing.
The First Year Engineering Experience
All first-year Engineering majors participate in the First Year Experience Program offered by the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering. The First-Year Engineering (FYE) Program is designed to orient students to the wide range of engineering disciplines and allows students to take engineering classes on day one. FYE classes present foundational knowledge from all our undergraduate majors and equip students with the confidence to pursue any degree program they are interested in.
Our Accreditation
This program is accredited by ABET, the recognized global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. This accreditation ensures that our programs meet the highest standards of quality and prepare students to enter the global workforce as well-qualified engineering professionals. Read more about this accreditation.
Related Careers
- Metals Processing
- Ceramics and Glasses
- Electronics and semiconductors
- Automotive
- Aerospace
- Biomaterials, Implants, and Prosthetics
- Manufacturing
- Product Development
- Failure Analysis
- Construction Manufacturing
- Materials Testing and Characterization
- Quality Assurance
- Welding/Joining
- Energy Materials
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What You'll Learn
In our Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering program, you’ll explore how metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and electronic materials behave and how to engineer them for everything from smartphones to spacecrafts. You’ll learn why materials break, how they’re processed and tested, and how to design materials for real-world applications. Our curriculum combines cutting-edge science with hands-on experience in labs, giving you the tools to solve problems that matter in technology, energy, healthcare, and more. You'll build skills in materials characterization, processing, and design while learning to think like an engineer.
Expand the menu below to view a sample curriculum plan.
Degree requirements, course descriptions and academic policies for all programs are detailed in the University Catalog.
Transfer in using our KCTCS Pathway
This program has a degree pathway from KCTCS, allowing students a seamless transfer process to obtain their bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky.
View Pathways
Get a Head Start with an
Accelerated Pathway
This program is part of the Accelerated Master's Pathways program. If you plan to obtain a related master's degree, this program can save you time and money with dual credit hours when you sign up.
Admission Requirements
- Official High School Transcript with Pre-College Curriculum: View transcript requirements on the Undergraduate Admission webpage.
- Test Scores (optional): ACT or SAT scores can be submitted but are not required for university admission.
Any "Program Specific Requirements" that display below are specific to the program and will be required for admission to the program.
Application Requirements
Completed applications include an official high school transcript, application fee ($50 domestic/$60 international) and optional official ACT/SAT score (the University of Kentucky is test-optional for admission and scholarships through the 2028-29 academic year).
Program Specific Requirements
Students apply and enter this program as "Pre-Materials Engineering" majors. Students are fully admitted to the program when they complete the pre-major requirements. View specifics in the Academic Catalog.
The minimum entry requirements for admission into the Pigman College of Engineering as a first-time freshmen student are both:
- ACT math score of 25 or higher, or the SAT equivalent of 590 or higher, and an
- Unweighted high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Additionally, students must meet the minimum Kentucky statewide academic readiness requirements for Reading and Writing to be admitted to the Pigman College of Engineering:
- Reading: Students must have an ACT Reading subscore of 20 or above (or SAT subscore of 25 or above in Critical Reading);
- English/Writing: Students must have an ACT English subscore of 18 or above (or SAT of 25 or above in Writing).
- Students who do not meet the reading/writing requirements will be required to take the ACCUPLACER exam and receive a score of 244 or better.
- Students who do not meet the minimum score on the ACCUPLACER will be required to take APP courses (UK 120 for Reading and UK 130 for Writing) and can be considered for admission to the College of Engineering after successful completion of these courses.
Test scores do not have to come directly from the testing agency. ACT/SAT scores listed on your official high school transcript are acceptable too.
Optional Test Scores
If you cannot take or choose not to submit ACT or SAT scores with your admission application, admission into the Pigman College of Engineering as a first-time freshmen student is based on meeting one of the following:
- 3.0 unweighted high school GPA and calculus on transcript
- 3.3 unweighted high school GPA and pre-calculus on transcript
- 3.65 unweighted high school GPA
Alternative Admission Routes
For students who meet the 3.0 high school GPA requirement but not the ACT/SAT requirement or the test optional requirements, alternative admission routes include:
- A score of 3 or above on the Calculus AB portion of the Advanced Placement Exam, or
- Eligibility to enter MA 110 based on the proctored UK Math Department Placement Exam. Learn more about the proctored ALEKS math placement exam and register to take it.
Students who are not initially admitted into the Pigman College of Engineering may apply at a later date as a transfer student.
Transfer Students
Engineering has established transfer pathways with nearly two dozen partner institutions enabling students to seamlessly transfer into any of our degree programs.
Application Deadlines
Freshman
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Early Action
- 12/01/2025 Apply early to be considered for Lewis Honors College, scholarships, or on-campus living.
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Regular Decision
- 02/15/2026
Transfer
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Fall Scholarship
- 06/15/2025 Apply early to be considered for scholarships.
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Fall
- 08/01/2025
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Spring
- 11/15/2025
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Summer
- 04/15/2025
“Materials engineering is a lot about integrating fundamental science and engineering, and I absolutely fell in love with it.”
Mujan Seif
Materials Engineering Graduate, Materials Engineering Ph.D. Student
Explore Financial Aid Options
Undergraduate degree-seeking students have access to a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and student loans, designed to make education more affordable.
Tuition Rate
For residents of the states listed below, this program qualifies you to receive the University of Kentucky's in-state tuition rate through the Academic Common Marketplace.
Delaware
West Virginia
Expand Your Learning
Industry-focused Senior Design (required) - taken in the 4th year of the program
Students are enrolled in a two-semester sequence in which they work in small groups to tackle a real-world engineering problem brought to our department by local industry.
Materials Advantage
Membership is open to all students wishing to join the Material Advantage Student Chapter, which includes membership in four professional societies: The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS), the American Society for Metals (ASM International), the American Ceramic Society (ACerS) and the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST). Student members achieve professional networking by linking with other members worldwide to obtain information and contacts, as well as by going on field trips to local industries to gain practical knowledge that complements course material. At least two meetings per semester are held jointly with the ASM Bluegrass Chapter, offering students the opportunity to interact with professional engineers from industry, academia and government. Many of our students win scholarships and book awards from ASM and have opportunities to win other society-sponsored awards and scholarships. The department sponsors Alpha Sigma Mu, a national materials engineering honor society that recognizes outstanding scholarship and professional accomplishment by its undergraduate students.
Get Involved!
Students who get involved in activities outside of the classroom tend to do better academically and develop meaningful relationships with others at UK. Our network of student organizations and activities has something for everyone, from academic to professional to fun!
Join the Engineering Living Learning Program
The ELLP provides a welcoming community for engineering and computer science students to be supported academically and establish meaningful connections with other students.
This residential experience complements classroom expectations by integrating students into the engineering community with programs centered on professional development and academic support. In addition, the ELLP provides students with opportunities to interact with College of Engineering faculty, alumni, industry partners, academic advisors, engineering student organizations, and Peer Mentors. Peer Mentors are hand-selected to support new students during their transition to the University of Kentucky.
Get More Information
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At the University of Kentucky, we provide personalized support, innovative resources, and countless opportunities to help you turn your aspirations into achievements.
