Materials & Metallurgical Engineering

Chair: Dr. P. Fuierer

ABOUT MATERIALS

Materials science and engineering is about the study of processing, structure, property, and performance relationships in engineered materials. Traditional engineered materials include metallic, ceramic, polymeric and composite materials. Materials combines experimentation with modeling, and is an interdisciplinary field of study that integrates chemistry, physics, mathematics and often other engineering sciences. It is at the forefront of new technologies ranging from bio-implants to aerospace materials, and is critical at many stages of manufacturing.  It is a field crucial to the institute, the state, the nation, and the world.

The Materials & Metallurgical Engineering Department (hereafter referred to as Materials) is one of the oldest departments at NMT, existing under a few name variants over time since NMT’s founding in the late 19^thcentury.  Initially, the department existed with a Metallurgy and Mineral Processing charter.  Around 1972, the department adopted the name Metallurgy & Materials Engineering, and through the 1980s also incorporated Environmental Engineering.  Around 1990, the name was changed to Materials & Metallurgical Engineering, reflecting the further expansion into a broader range of engineered materials (ceramics, polymers and composites).  Jones Hall, in the heart of the NMT campus, is the home of Materials.  It underwent a full renovation from 2019-2021, with modernization of its mechanical systems, environmental controls and laboratories.

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is:

• To educate our students so that they are prepared to obtain and succeed in the best positions in industry, government laboratories, and graduate school.
• To advance the frontiers of materials science & engineering with cutting-edge research.
• To serve the public of New Mexico and the United States through outreach, expanded education, tech transfer and economic development

PROGRAMS

NMT Materials is the only ABET accredited, undergraduate Materials Science/Engineering program in the State of New Mexico, and maintains an option in Metallurgy due to the long history and faculty number strength. An option in Biomaterials Engineering and minor in Polymer Science are also offered due to relationships with other departments (Biology, Chemical Engineering).  A minor in Materials Engineering is also available to other majors. Since 2017, Materials produced 5.5% of NMT’s BS degrees in engineering, and 4.0% in all disciplines.

The department awards Masters of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees with a thesis/dissertation research component. Specialty research areas include high performance metallic alloys, energetic materials, functional ceramics, nano/quantum materials and bio- and sustainable materials. The newest program is the Master of Engineering (ME), a course-based program tailored for working professionals and those interested in managerial careers.   Also in recent years, the department has expanded its distance education (DE) class offerings. Since 2017, Materials produced 40% of NMT’s PhDs and 10% of MS degrees in engineering.