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University of Pittsburgh    
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
 
  Mar 28, 2024
 
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Materials Science and Engineering - Ferrous Physical Metallurgy Concentration, BSE


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Freshman Engineering Program


All engineering freshmen pursue a common academic program, selecting a major upon completion. The freshman-year curriculum includes two specially designed engineering-oriented courses (ENGR 0011 Introduction to Engineering Analysis  and Engineering 0012 Introduction to Engineering Computing ). These courses provide freshman students with an overview of the various areas of engineering, introduce certain engineering skills and tools, and acquaint students with the engineering problem solving process. Freshman students also participate in an engineering seminar, conducted in part by the Freshman Leadership Team’s Peer Advisors. These seminars provide general information on the transition to college and the improvement of study skills and provide an overview of the various engineering fields so that freshmen can make an informed choice of majors at the end of the first year. Students are also given several opportunities to visit the various programs in order to talk to the faculty and learn about the specific academic requirements. All engineering freshmen participate in the Freshman Engineering Conference during the Spring Term. Outstanding freshman students may also participate in the Fessenden Honors in Engineering Program (See Special Academic Opportunities/Programs for details). For more information on the Freshman Engineering Program, visit http://www.engineering.pitt.edu/freshman/

The freshman-year curriculum is detailed below:


Credits: 17


Credits: 17


Note:


* Students choose electives from an extensive list of acceptable Arts and Sciences humanities and social science courses, including a large number of languages that students are encouraged to study. Students may not take self-paced, hybrid, or online courses to satisfy the humanities/social science requirement.

Honors Courses for Engineering Freshmen


Outstanding freshman engineering students are eligible to participate in the University Honors College (UHC). Entering freshman students who are in the top 5 percent of their graduating class and have a minimum SAT I score of 1450 are eligible for honors courses. Students participating in the University Honors College may take honors courses that substitute for regular required course offerings in their first two terms. For more information on the UHC, visit www.honorscollege.pitt.edu

Honors courses offered include:


First Term


Second Term


Credits: 18


*Students who earn a C or higher in MATH 0235  for the first term may take UHC MATH 0240  the second term and will be awarded advanced placement credit for MATH 0220 .

Students who opt to take Engr 0711 (Honors Engineering Analysis and Engineering Computing)  in the fall term of their freshman year have the opportunity to take a unique service learning course in the second term. This course, ENGR 0716 Art of Hands-On System Design and Engineering , is only open to students who successfully complete ENGR 0711  with a grade of C or better. In this course, students will explore tools and techniques for inventing, designing and prototyping systems. Students will gain an introduction to ‘smart systems’; i.e.,automated systems that can sense the world and automatically respond in useful ways.

Writing-Designated Course (W Course) Requirement


Engineering students must demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively. This includes both written and oral communication and the ability to make professional presentations. Upon admission, students with an SAT Critical Reading score below 500 will be required to take at least one English Composition Course during their freshman year that will not count toward the Swanson School of Engineering graduation requirements.

All students must take at least one W course as part of their humanities/social science requirements. Please note that students may also satisfy the W requirement by taking a science course with a writing component. In addition, each engineering program has substantial communications components throughout the curriculum. Some programs require a specific course in communications. It is important to refer to each program’s graduation requirements to identify requisite communication courses.

For students planning on a dual degree from the Swanson School of Engineering and an A&S major, it is important to note the following: The University of Pittsburgh Composition Program has agreed that there is no need for students who have taken freshman writing through the Freshman Engineering English Writing Program to take Seminar in Composition (ENGCMP 0200 ) as well. Taking just one of these courses to meet the A&S General Education requirement for composition is sufficient to meet the composition requirement.

Materials Science and Engineering Undergraduate Curriculum


The undergraduate program is designed to give the student a basic understanding of the structure and properties of materials, the principles underlying the processing of materials, and the concepts of engineering design and problem solving. Both theory and practice are emphasized. Laboratory experiences are integrated into the curriculum, and a variety of professional and engineering science electives are available. When desirable, specialized programs can be arranged for the students with well-defined interests and goals. Students are prepared to accept positions in production, research, and management, in both the basic materials and advanced or high-tech materials industries. This versatile education is a strong preparation for graduate work in metallurgy and materials and other related fields.

The major objectives of the materials science and engineering program are to

  • Prepare students to assume positions of technical leadership in industries that require their specialized knowledge of materials science and engineering.
  • Provide students with an education, grounded in the fundamentals, enabling them to succeed in graduate studies and research in materials science and engineering.
  • Encourage students to remain committed and engaged in the discipline of materials science and engineering throughout their careers.
  • Provide students with a comprehensive education in engineering science that will prepare them to succeed in management positions in industry or other professional careers (e.g. teaching, law, etc.).

Credits: 16


Credits: 18


Credits: 15


Credits: 14


Credits: 16


Eighth Term


Credits: 15


Concentration in Ferrous Physical Metallurgy for Undergraduate Students


The concentration program of study in Ferrous Physical Metallurgy is offered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science. This concentration available as an option for all undergraduate engineering students pursuing the BS degree in materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering or engineering physics. Four courses (12 credits) are required to complete the concentration.

The goal of this concentration is to provide a strong educational and training program focused on the use of physical metallurgy, advanced alloy design philosophies and modern thermomechanical processing strategies for the enhanced design and manufacture of high-performance steels.

Requirements


To obtain a background in ferrous physical metallurgy, the following four courses are required:

Enrollment


Students considering enrolling in the ferrous physical metallurgy concentration area are encouraged to declare during their sophomore year. Interested students may wish to speak with Dr. Anthony DeArdo (deardo@engr.pitt.edu) or Dr. Isaac Garcia (Garcia@engr.pitt.edu) for more information.

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