Courses and Academic Advising

For questions related to the MTRL undergraduate curriculum and registration, please reach out to students@apsc.ubc.ca

Formal course listings appear in the UBC Academic Calendar – Materials Engineering.

As of April 2026, academic advising for Materials Engineering students is led by the Engineering Academic Services (EAS). For questions about course planning and registration, please use the links below:

  1. Course Planning – Materials Engineering
  2. Booking appointments and drop-in advising with EAS for Academic Advising

Please contact the department directly for:

  1. Student groups
  2. Finance/ reimbursement forms
  3. Student employment
  4. Room/ lab access requests

MTRL Technical Electives

For preparing careers and further education, our program offers four streams in technical electives:

  1. Materials Manufacturing and Performance 
  2. Minerals and Metals Extraction 
  3. Biomaterials Engineering 
  4. Aerospace Materials Engineering 

For a comprehensive list of courses that satisfy each stream, please refer to the approved list on the EAS. These streams represent core sub-topical areas of materials engineering designed to complement your academic interests and career goals. Completion of a stream will not appear on your official transcript or diploma.

MTRL Program Outcomes

Our program focuses on training in fundamentals, both in quantitative (e.g. core math) and qualitative (e.g. project management) fundamentals as well as Materials Engineering specific foundations in 1) fundamentals of thermodynamics and kinetics 2) materials processing, and 3) materials properties. At the end of the Materials Engineering Undergraduate Program, students will be able to: 

1- Characterize and select materials for design by evaluating the linkages between material properties, microstructures and processing.

2- Analyze materials engineering problems using a balance of mathematics, physics and chemistry including thermodynamics , mass, momentum and energy transport, kinetics and mechanics of materials. 

3- Solve materials engineering problems. Identify and formulate problems, develop and apply analytical and experimental methods of investigation, identify contributing factors and generate, validate, and evaluate alternative solutions.

4- Design processes for the extraction, synthesis and processing of materials to meet technical, economic, environmental and ethical needs and constraints. 

5- Communicate effectively in a professional environment through technical reports and presentations. Articulate and justify technical solutions to diverse audiences. 

6- Recognize and evaluate the societal benefits of materials engineering. Appreciate and evaluate the environmental and societal impact of materials. Recognize the importance of professional and ethical responsibilities, the evolving nature of materials engineering and the importance of lifelong learning.