overview

The ceramic engineering program is offered under the department of materials science and engineering.

Ceramic engineers produce materials vital to many advanced and traditional technologies: electronic and optical assemblies, aerospace parts, biomedical components, nuclear components, high temperature, corrosion resistant assemblies, fuel cells, and electronic packaging. Ceramic engineers generally work with inorganic, nonmetallic materials processed at high temperatures. In the classroom, ceramic engineering students learn the relationships between engineering properties and the chemistry and structure of ceramic materials and go on to apply these scientific principles to the design of new formulations and manufacturing processes. If you are interested in the “why” behind material properties, ceramic engineering will definitely interest you.

Ceramic engineering usually appeals to those who have a strong interest in finding practical applications of the basic sciences, especially chemistry and physics, and can be described as one of the disciplines where ‘science and engineering intersect’. Design occurs at the atomic or microstructural level of solid materials. The Missouri S&T department of ceramic engineering specializes in glass and optical materials, electronic materials, and high temperature materials, but the same scientific and engineering principles that are learned can be applied to the design of new materials for other applications, including biomaterials, high strength materials, materials for energy generation, etc.

Most ceramic engineering classes and laboratories are held in McNutt Hall, but other research laboratories on campus are available to our students. Equipment exists for X-ray investigation of materials, for detection of thermally induced changes in chemistry and structure, for high temperature processing, and for measuring a wide variety of electronic, optical, magnetic, mechanical and thermal properties. The Graduate Center for Materials Research makes additional research equipment available to ceramic engineers, including electron microscopes, optical, infrared, and X-ray spectrometers, thermal analyzers, and high temperature/controlled atmosphere furnaces. Students may broaden their experience by assisting faculty in research projects, either for academic credit or for pay.

Undergraduate student organizations are very active and participation in local and national activities is encouraged. Cooperative education and internships are available with companies and research agencies around the country.