Ayesha asked Kim de Groh, NASA Glenn Research Center

AddedMonday, August 14, 2023 at 10:24 AM

Should I take material engineering for my bachelor's degree if I don't have any interest in chemistry

Hi! I hope you're doing great. I wanna ask you a question. Should I take material engineering for my bachelor's degree if I don't have any interest in chemistry?
  • Kim de Groh , NASA Glenn Research Center
    Answered Friday, October 6, 2023 at 10:48 AM
    Hi!  Materials science and engineering is inherently interdisciplinary, with strong connections to physics, chemistry, math and the engineering fields.  When I was in high school, I did well in math but did not like chemistry or physics very much.  But, when I took chemistry and physics courses at Michigan State University for my bachelor’s degree, I found them much more interesting!  Especially the atomic physics.  So, your interest may change.  In my job at NASA as a Sr. Materials Research Engineer, I need to know fundamental knowledge of chemistry and I use very basic math, but most of my practical research involves measuring materials properties such as optical and tensile properties, running vacuum systems and measuring dehydrated mass, and taking cool images with optical and scanning electron microscopes!  I suggest that you still consider materials engineering for your bachelor's degree, and try to shadow someone in the field.  Once at your university, take the introductory materials engineering courses and see if you like them.  It’s a really interesting field!!  And, Good luck!