Academic Accelerator - Bachelor of Science - Material Science and Engineering

Program Description

The Academic Accelerator Program (AAP) is a balanced first-year program for international students with good English-language skills. It supplements immersive classes taught in English with just the right amount of support.

Students in the Academic Accelerator receive:

• The right amount of support for their academic and English-speaking needs
• A full year’s worth of college credits
• Access to courses exclusively for international students
• English-language help with words they need to know for their classes
• A mix of classes with international and U.S. students

Materials science and engineering (MSE) combines numerous disciplines, including chemistry, physics and engineering. Scientists in this field apply the principles of physics and chemistry to engineering problems in order to design and develop new materials. Without materials science and engineering, things like computer chips and solar cells would not exist. In the College of Engineering at the University of Utah, this degree offers students the unique opportunity to study science as well as engineering. Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the MSE program teaches fundamental science and engineering principles that apply to all types of materials in addition to an in-depth study of polymers and ceramics. Students then select upon technical electives that suit their particular interests, which can include courses in nanostructured materials, metallurgy, photovoltaic materials, single crystal growth, composites, microsystems design, biomaterials, nuclear materials, and many others. Students are also trained in and gain hands-on experience with experimental techniques to analyze the structure and composition of materials—including X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, thermal analysis, and spectroscopy. All students complete a capstone design project, preparing them for real-world engineering design and applications. Graduates will leave the University of Utah with the technical skills and theoretical knowledge they need to succeed in a variety of science and engineering fields.