When it comes to engineering, materials science and mechanical engineering are two of the most widely studied fields. Those interested in advancing their engineering career may find themselves needing to decide between the two, but the decision isn’t always an easy one. Both areas offer a wealth of opportunities, from researching the latest advances in engineering to developing the best materials for a wide range of applications. Though there are similarities between these two areas of engineering, there are also distinct differences that must be taken into consideration. In this blog post, we will explore the key differences between materials science and mechanical engineering, as well as identifying the various career paths that both offer. We will also discuss the various educational requirements needed to become a successful engineer in either field. By the end of this blog post, readers should have a better understanding of the differences between materials science and mechanical engineering and how to best choose the right field for their career.
What is Material Science & Engineering? | Material Science | Mechanical Engineering
For materials engineers, the job outlook isn’t nearly as positive. The BLS expects job opportunities for this occupation to grow by only two percent. Part of the reason for this slower than average job growth is because materials engineering roles in manufacturing industries, which account for three of the five top employing industries for the occupation, are likely to stay the same or even decline in upcoming years. As it is, materials engineer is a much smaller occupation than mechanical engineer, employing just 27,000 Americans. That anticipated two percent job growth will likely add only 400 new jobs.
Choosing the best engineering degree for you can be challenging because there are so many different engineering disciplines. Some fields, like mechanical engineering and materials engineering, might appear to share a lot of similarities. They actually do, insofar as the end result is the application of scientific, mathematical, and engineering principles to actual problems. The focus of mechanical and materials engineers, however, is different, and they approach problems differently. While a materials engineer develops new materials that are used in all types of manufactured goods, a mechanical engineer builds machines that meet needs. Although both degree paths have advantages, mechanical engineering degrees provide advantages like a better job outlook, a wider range of opportunities, and a greater focus on engineering design.
Materials engineering, the application of engineering principles to develop new materials, is an interdisciplinary program but is not as broad or as versatile as mechanical engineering. Naturally, materials engineering majors take coursework in general engineering principles. However, these students spend much of their time on courses such as Structural Characterization of Materials, Thermodynamics in Materials Engineering, Electronic Properties of Materials, Mechanics of Structures and Materials and Kinetics and Phase Equilibria in Materials. One of the most essential subjects for students to study is materials design, in which students learn about engineering new materials. To better prepare students for the workforce, a materials engineering program may require or encourage students to pursue a specialization in one type of material, such as metallic, ceramic or polymeric materials.
Materials engineers do make more money than mechanical engineers, despite the fact that there are fewer opportunities in the field. According to the BLS, the median salary for materials engineers is $94,610, and the median salary for mechanical engineers is $85,880.
How versatile is your degree? Mechanical engineering is among the broadest engineering disciplines. Graduates from these degree programs can go on to work in a diverse group of careers, such as robotics engineer, auto research engineer and heating and cooling systems engineer, the BLS reported. A mechanical engineer can build any imaginable machine or device that involves moving parts, including refrigerators, power generators, biomedical devices and lasers. A background in mechanical engineering can prepare you for further education or a career in any number of more specialized engineering fields, and it offers a versatile set of skills you can apply to nearly any type of engineering project. Because the field is so broad, some engineering schools allow mechanical engineering majors to narrow their education further by choosing an academic concentration such as sustainable energy, pharmaceutical manufacturing and robotics.
My interest in materials was piqued when I used a touchscreen phone for the first time in 2006. I still remember the name of the brand: O2. I was unable to use the internet at the time to research why the screen responded to the touch of that stylus. For me it felt like something magical.
I had a desire to learn more about solar energy and the physics of solar materials after spending a lot of time studying wind energy. Density Functional Theory (DFT) was introduced to me during my junior year of college in the Computational Material Science course. I’ve decided that I need to switch from a mechanical discipline to materials science because of this particular course. All I required to reach that conclusion was the ability to understand how materials behave at the atomic level and the knowledge that we have the freedom to change it as necessary.
I was almost curious about anything and everything I saw. I used to pester my family members, especially my parents, with a lot of questions. I found it fascinating to watch technology advance from personal computers with CRTs to modern, highly effective quantum computers. I understood that the development of these advanced technologies required not only the application of mathematics and physics, but also one’s creativity. This amazement led me to choose mechanical engineering as my undergraduate major.
4. Do not take anything too seriously. Have fun. The journey is more important than the destination.
Some lessons I’ve discovered and learned throughout my journey that may be helpful
Science vs Engineering using the Materials Tetrahedron
The four points of the materials tetrahedron—processing, structure, properties, and performance—must be taken into account for the majority of materials scientists and engineers.
However, by using this tetrahedron, one can tell a materials scientist from a materials engineer. There are 6 possible edges, but the structure-properties leg and the processing-performance leg are both crucial points.
In general, a pure engineer is focused on outcomes. He or she would be most interested in processing→performance. A “materials engineer” wants to boost efficiency by changing the processing techniques.
In contrast, a pure scientist typically focuses on discovery. He or she might be most interested in structure→properties. A “materials scientist” is interested in how properties are influenced by structure.
Naturally, after that has been understood, the next logical step is to determine what processing can result in a specific structure. The scientist is likely examining a particular set of properties because they have a specific performance goal in mind. Therefore, it is difficult to distinguish between materials science and materials engineering.
Chapter: Materials Science and Engineering as a Multidiscipline
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING AS A MULTI DISC IP LINE*
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FAQ
What is the difference between mechanical engineering and material engineering?
Materials engineering deals with the design, composition, and application of materials in manufactured goods. Core courses in design, mathematics, modeling, computing, management, and engineering science are included in mechanical engineering.
What are the differences between material science and engineering materials?
The study of materials teaches us how things function and what materials they are made of. Materials engineering demonstrates how to use knowledge to improve things and the world. Materials science and engineering fuels innovation in both science and business, influencing fields as diverse as aerospace and medicine.
Can a mechanical engineer be a materials engineer?
You will be prepared for a variety of careers by completing the accelerated master’s degree program for the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Master of Engineering in Materials Science and Engineering.
Can a mechanical engineer become a material scientist?
Materials used by mechanical engineers include metals, ceramics, composites, and polymers. So essentially, all mechanical engineers are also material scientists.
