Materials engineering became an official degree program at Auburn University in 1965. Since then, the program has been preparing students through high-quality curriculum to be able to effectively apply materials engineering principles in professional settings.

Materials engineers address the science and technology of producing materials that have properties and shapes suitable for practical use. These materials include metals, ceramics, plastics, semiconductors, and composites. Materials engineers combine engineering problem solving with scientific curiosity to understand how and why materials behave the way they do. Their knowledge of materials science has allowed many innovative technological advances to spring from the drawing board to the production line.