Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science degree in materials science and engineering at Virginia Tech is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Program educational objectives

Within 3-5 years after graduation, alumni are expected to have:

1. Created value by applying industrial and systems engineering methods, via critical thinking, to design/redesign integrated systems/processes through the identification, creation, and implementation of sustainable solutions.
2. Provided technical or administrative leadership.
   
3. Pursued professional development and knowledge enhancement via graduate study, continuing education, company training or rotation programs, etc., in order to enhance knowledge in existing areas or learn about emerging trends in the discipline.
   
4. Communicated effectively with different audiences and stakeholders, both in-person and online, using written, oral, and visual media.
   
5. Worked effectively and inclusively in teams having attributes such as varying organizational backgrounds, positions, geographic locations, and demographic compositions.
   
6. Served the profession, community, and society, as exemplified by our motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).
   

Student outcomes

At time of graduation, department students are expected to have the following:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
   
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
   
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
   
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
   
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
   
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
   
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.