MTRL Curriculum

The official calendar description of our program, year-by-year, can be found on the official UBC academic calendar website.

Full course descriptions are available on Workday with a valid CWL login. Please note that not all courses may be offered in a particular year.

Please reach out to undergraduate@mtrl.ubc.ca for questions related to the undergraduate program.

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.

Visualize Your Course Path

The images within the accordions below outline the core courses taken each year of the program and illustrate how they map onto these skills:

Year 2 (39 Credits)

Diagram of 2nd Year Courses

Year 3 (33 Credits)

Diagram of 3rd Year Courses

Year 4 (38 Credits)

Diagram of 4th Year Courses

Starting in third year (3 credits of course work) and extending into the fourth year (21 credits) of the program, students can choose to specialize into one of 4 streams; Materials Performance, Aerospace Materials, Minerals and Metals Extraction and Biomaterials Engineering. A listing of technical electives courses is given below: