Faculty of Material Science & Engineering

Overview

Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) emerged as an interdisciplinary field in the mid-20th century, drawing from a range of disciplines, including physics, chemistry, metallurgy, ceramics, polymers, and engineering. Materials Science and Engineering is critical to modern technological advancement. Materials underpin nearly every human-made product, from smartphones to bridges to medical implants. The field focuses on understanding the relationships between the structure, properties, processing, and performance of materials at various scales, from the atomic to the nanoscale. This knowledge allows engineers to select, design, and optimize materials for specific applications.

In 2013, Jimma University in Ethiopia established a Materials Science and Engineering program focused on the fundamental principles and applications of materials in engineering. The university prides itself on being a pioneer in offering this essential program, aiming to cultivate skilled professionals in the field of materials who can contribute to various sectors and improve the socioeconomic conditions of the community. Currently, the program offers one BSc program and four postgraduate programs.

Aim

The primary objective of MSE is to deepen our comprehension of materials, develop new and enhanced materials, and address the shortage of technical professionals and experts in Ethiopia. This involves offering a strong education in materials science, conducting research to advance the field, creating new knowledge and innovative materials, and applying material expertise to solve real-world problems and facilitate new technologies.

Future

Looking ahead, MSE is positioned to play a critical role in addressing global challenges in energy, transportation, medicine, and sustainability. Key future directions include:

• Developing advanced functional materials for renewable energy, energy storage, and efficient devices
• Engineering materials for medical applications like tissue engineering, drug delivery, and implants
• Designing high-performance, lightweight, and environmentally-friendly structural materials
• Advancing computational materials science to accelerate the discovery and design of new materials
• Integrating materials science with other emerging fields like nanotechnology, biotechnology, and quantum science