Materials Engineering Website

Cal Poly Catalog

Materials Engineering

About Materials Engineering

Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a range of products, from computer chips and aircraft wings to golf clubs and snow skis. They work with metals, ceramics, plastics, composites, and other substances to create new materials that meet certain mechanical, electrical, and chemical requirements. They also help select materials for specific products, develop new ways to use materials, and develop new materials. As a student, you can find more information below that pertains directly to your major. 

Faculty Advisors

Students on Academic Probation should meet with Dr. Trevor Harding.

For additional information on MATE Faculty please see the Materials Engineering Faculty & Staff Directory Page.

Course Substitutions

As curriculum changes between different catalog years, you may question what courses automatically transfer between catalogs. The following changes below apply to MATE majors only and a petition will not be required.

All MATE Students:

Your catalog You may use: To substitute for:
2017-19 through 2022-26 IME 331 (4) Technical Electives, Approved Electives/Technical Breadth Electives
2017-19 through 2021-22 BMED 212 (3) Approved Electives/Technical Breadth Electives
2017-19 through 2021-22 MATE 245 (1) MATE 130 (1)
2015-17 through 2020-21 ME 343 (4) ME 350 (4)
2015-17 through 2020-21 Any GE Area A3 Course (4) ENGL 149 (4)
2015-17 through 2017-19 ENVE 490, ENGR 451, MATE 402, MATE 403, MATE 420, MATE 422, MATE 490 Approved Electives/Technical Breadth Electives
2013-15 through 2017-19 MATE 280 MATE 380
2013-15 through 2017-19 MATE 320

MATE 222
2013-15 through 2017-19 ENGR 459 + ENGR 460 + ENGR 461 (6 units)

MATE 482 + MATE 483 + MATE 484 (5 units) - 

Additional unit can be used towards Technical Electives or Technical Breadth Electives
2009-11 through 2015-17 MATE 410 and MATE 550 OR BMED 432

Technical Breadth Electives

Note: Cannot get credit for both BMED 432 and MATE 550
2011-13 through 2015-17 CHEM 466 Technical Breadth Electives
2009-11 through 2015-17 BMED 432 OR BMED 531/MATE 550

Technical Electives

Note: Only one of these courses may be used as Technical Electives
2011-13 through 2015-17 IME 430 (taken summer 2016 only) AND IME 471 (taken summer 2016 only) Technical Breadth Electives
2017-19 CHEM 305 OR MATE 470 Topic: "Thermodynamics of Materials" MATE 380
2011-13 through 2015-17 BMED 401 Technical Electives or Technical Breadth Electives

Students Who Have Changed Their Major Into MATE:

Your catalog you may use: to substitute for:
2013-15 through 2022-26
  • AERO 121
  • BMED 101
  • CE 111
  • CPE 100
  • CSC/CPE 123
  • EE 111
  • ENGR 110
  • ENVE 111
  • IME 101
  • ME 128
  • ME 229
  • ME 263
 MATE 110
2009-11 through 2022-26 CPE 101 (or transfer equivalent) CSC 231/234

MATE Transfer Students:

Your catalog you may use: to substitute for:
2005-07 through 2022-26

3.5 excess units from a CHEM 124 equivalent course +

0.5 excess unit from a PHYS 131 or 141 or 132 or 133 equivalent course

 CHEM 128
2009-11 through 2022-26 CPE 101 (or transfer equivalent) CSC 231/234

MATE Students - will need a Petition for Major or Support Course Substitution/Exception - Undergraduate (E-Form):

Your catalog you may Request a Substitution: to substitute for:
2021-22 or prior catalog

Since MATE 326 and MATE 327 are no longer offered, you will need to take MATE 325 and substitute 2 units to cover MATE 326 and MATE 327.

 

Substitutions are commonly accepted using 2 extra Technical Elective units.

 MATE 325 + 326+ 327 (3 units)

Flowcharts

Department flowcharts provide an example of an academic plan. The flowcharts serve as a guide for planning purposes.  

Curriculum Sheets

Curriculum sheets provide an outline of all the requirements needed to complete a degree.

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Tutoring

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