What do I need to know to become a materials scientist and engineer

First off, you would need to study engineering. You might get an associate's degree from an accredited university, but I would recommend a bachelor degree -- a BS. One in that curriculum, you would take the standard engineering prerequisites of math, science, etc. as prescribed by the major in your college. That's not a surprise of course. Once you got started in these and successfully completed them -- not a small feat, mind you -- you would have a good idea of whether engineering is a proper fit for you. A convenient thing is that you can then take classes in, say, metallurgy and beginning materials sciences. This will give you more of an idea of whether materials science is for you or if you'd just prefer to focus on other branches of engineering, such as Mechanical Engineering -- which would include materials science -- Electrical Engineering -- also can include some materials science. You might go to Chemical Engineering, which can include materials sciences as well.

A nice thing about engineering, and, IMO, most other fields, is the extreme overlap between areas. In fact, it's estimated that more than half of all innovations are a result of applying patterns and techniques from fields outside of the one in which the problem to be solved exists. I recall one of my first patents was applying principles I'd read about in neurobiology to a problem we had in our packet computer networks. And your studying various classes in all engineering fields will expose you to tremendous opportunities for doing just that -- applying concepts from other fields to the one you're focused primarily on. It's fascinating and a lot of fun.

Another thing to consider is co-op and internship programs working for companies that need materials scientists. Even if your assignment isn't specifically materials science, you'll have access to folks doing that work and can pick their brains. And venturing outside your specific task is often a greatly-prized characteristic for companies to hire you!

Hello Kevin, there are 2 year (some part time) college courses in mechanical engineering and materials testing and science where you'll learn about metals and metallurgy and plastics as well as construction materials such as concrete.

These courses usually involve labwork such as tensile testing, indent testing (vickers/Rockwell testing) and shear testing as well as Luminol and non destructive testing (Electrical resistivity, X-Ray and ultrasonic) and subjects such as coatings and surface preparation, welding, stress and strain mechanics and bending moments.

Additionally there may be a bit about polymer chemistry (plastic manufacturing) and a few projects with written reports to complete.

Expect to use manual and CNC (computer numerical control-Automatic) lathes to turn metal samples ready for testing and perhaps to do some concrete slump, compression/crush testing and shear/break testing.

There could be short work placements at mechanical manufacturing companies near you as part of the course, youll be able to get a job at a construction company, a metal fabrication company or a civil Engineering company after training and will very likely be offered more in-house training.

Please feel free to ask any questions that you may have on here and I will do my best to reply and help you out, if you would like I can put you in contact with some companies that work in materials science in the UK and the USA and they may be able to help you along the right direction of study.

Have a nice day

Grant