Our program is fully integrated. Unlike some of the others, however, we have not just added courses in new classes of material. When polymers replace structural metals, or ceramics are introduced to provide heat-resistance, our students and alumni are fully prepared for all of the materials challenges that arise. Our program is highly collaborative. Most of our courses are taught by teams of faculty, with different professors taking the lead each semester.
Students work closely with the faculty, and the small class sizes mean that nobody gets left out.
Recent projects have involved collaborations with IBM, Alcoa, Rolls-Royce Allison, Cummins Diesel Engine, and others. Our program has strong international links. Faculty collaborations extend around the world, and undergraduates often have the opportunity to study abroad. Students from this School have recently studied in Japan and Germany. Materials Engineering at Purdue is a small school compared with many of Purdue's other schools of engineering.