Glass Engineering Science

The only Glass Engineering program in the nation

For a highly sought after, exclusive education in the science of glass engineering, look no further than Alfred University. Here we offer you the only undergraduate program of its kind in the nation, with small class sizes, plenty of opportunities for undergraduate research, and an extensive alumni network working in the glass and ceramic industry.

School/Division

Inamori School of Engineering
NYS College of Ceramics

Campus Locations

Main Campus - Alfred, NY

Major

Glass Engineering Science (BS)

Double Major

Double Major option(s) offered.
Learn More

Minor

Glass Engineering Science

Program Contact

Gabrielle Gaustad

engineering@alexblog.net

607-871-2953

Why Study Glass Engineering Science At Alfred University?

Exclusive Program

The only undergraduate Glass Engineering Science program in the nation.

Research Opportunities

Plenty of opportunities for undergraduate research and access to state-of-the-art research facilities.

Industry Networking

An extensive alumni network working in the glass and ceramic industry.

What Do Glass Scientists Do?

Glass has been used for thousands of years, in drinking glasses, storage bottles, decorative objects, and jewelry. Glass has the same uses today, but it has become a truly high-technology material used in sophisticated windows that control light and heat, in fiber optics for high-speed communication, and in advanced medical treatments such as bone-setting materials. Engineers and scientists who understand glass and its production are needed by the glass industry and companies who use glass in their products.

What Will You Study?

In your first year, you will take Introduction to Engineering and the Glass Engineering Exploration Lab in addition to foundation courses in math, chemistry and physics. In subsequent semesters, you'll develop expertise in general and glass materials through a blend of classroom and laboratory experiences. In your final year, you'll showcase your talents by conducting independent glass research in collaboration with a faculty advisor as part of our senior thesis requirement.

What Will You Do After Graduation?

The program prepares graduates for careers as materials engineers with specialized knowledge of glass. Our graduates are highly sought after by companies that develop and manufacture glass materials, often advancing to leadership positions in the field. Many of our graduates pursue advanced degrees to work as researchers in industry, government laboratories, and academia.

CEMS 214 Structure and Properties of Materials
CEMS 215 Microscopy and Microstructural Characterization
CEMS 216 Bonding and Structure of Materials
CEMS 235 Thermodynamics of Materials
CEMS 237 Thermal Processes in Materials
CEMS 251 Mechanics of Materials
CEMS 322 Introduction to Glass Science
CEMS 324 Mass Transport in Glasses and Melts
CEMS 325 Glass Laboratory
CEMS 328 Industrial Glass and Glass-Ceramics
CEMS 342 Thermal and Mechanical Properties
CEMS 344 Properties II: Electrical, Magnetic, and Optical
CEMS 347 Spectroscopy
CEMS 349 X-ray Characterization
CHEM 105 General Chemistry I
CHEM 106 General Chemistry II
ENGR 101 Introduction to Engineering
ENGR 102 Computer Aided Design
ENGR 104 Computer Aided Engineering
ENGR 110 Technical Communication
ENGR 11x Exploration Labs (select 2, 1 credit each)
ENGR 220 Circuit Theory I
ENGR 305 Engineering Statistics
ENGR 306 Engineering Economics
ENGR 395 Engineering Design
ENGR 480 Senior Capstone Project
MATH 151 Calculus I
MATH 152 Calculus II
MATH 253 Calculus III
MATH 271 Differential Equations
PHYS 125 Physics I
PHYS 126 Physics II
Technical Electives
Humanities, Social Science and Arts electives

For more information, please review the School of Engineering Curriculum by Semester Worksheets by degree program.

Glass Engineering Science is available as a double major to students in the following programs: Biomaterials Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Renewable Energy Engineering. Students earning a double major in Glass Engineering Science will complete all required courses for Glass Engineering Science along with courses required for their primary Engineering major.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DOUBLE MAJORS

CEMS 322 Introduction to Glass Science
CEMS 325 Glass Laboratory
CEMS 328 Industrial Glass and Glass-Ceramics

Plus at least 6 credits from the following list:

CEMS 324 Mass Transport in Glasses and Melts
CEMS 420 Optical Glasses
CEMS 450* Independent Study (in Glass)
ENGR 480 Senior Capstone Project (in Glass)
COOP 385* Co-op Program (in Glass)

The BS program in Glass Science and Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Materials, Metallurgical, Ceramics and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

If you have varied interests in engineering but are unsure which you excel at or enjoy working with the most, consider exploring our Undecided Engineering pathway. The Inamori School of Engineering provides this option to students who are undecided as first-year students and allows them to discover the field of engineering that's the best fit for them.

Undergraduate Full-Time Enrollment (from Fall Census)
Major	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
Biomat. Eng./Biomed Mat. Eng.	24	25	32	30	31	33	34
Ceramic Engineering	35	39	44	61	68	68	63
Electrical Engineering	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Glass Engineering Science	11	11	19	23	24	15	15
Materials Sci and Engineering	19	31	38	36	48	48	48
Mechanical Engineering	119	145	167	194	168	182	185
Renewable Energy Engineering	19	27	40	44	29	30	44
Undecided Engineering	18	17	34	22	26	26	37
Non-Degree	0		0	0	2	4	4
Unduplicated Headcount	245	295	374	410	394	402	426

B.S. Graduates (August Through May)
Major	2022-2023	2021-2022	2020-2021	2019-2020	2018-2019	2017-2018	2016-2017
Biomat. Eng./Biomed Mat. Eng.	3	4	12	7	4	8	7
Ceramic Engineering	8	15	8	21	16	12	19
Electrical Engineering	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Glass Engineering Science	2	2	7	3	3	0	4
Materials Sci and Engineering	7	15	8	9	16	7	10
Mechanical Engineering	28	58	35	53	36	51	37
Renewable Energy Engineering	13	11	14	6	10	10	12
Total Degrees	61	105	84	99	85	88	89

What Will You Do?

Within the past few years, graduates have obtained jobs as:

Process Optimizer (Development Program) - Ardagh Group
Development Engineer - Greatbatch Medical
Microscopy & Microanalysis Lab Assistant - KEMET
Furnace Development Engineer - Owens Corning
Research Scientist - Corning, Incorporated
Project Engineer - Owens-Illinois
Engineer - Northeast Electronics Corp.

Program Educational Objectives

Program educational objectives (or PEOs) are broad statements that describe what we expect graduates of AU's glass engineering science program to attain 3-5 years after graduation. PEOs are reviewed and revised regularly to ensure that the program educational objectives are relevant to the needs of today's employers.

Within a few years after graduation, Graduates of the Glass Engineering Science Program will be materials engineers with an in-depth knowledge of the science, engineering and manufacturing of Glass. Having acquired the technical and personal skills the graduates will have then embarked on a fulfilling career path.
Within a few years after graduation, Graduates of the Glass Engineering Science Program will have detailed knowledge of glass and related materials, with hands-on experience for problem-solving enabling their ability to innovate within their chosen field. Future of Learning – synthesis of ideas and information
Within a few years of Graduation, Graduates of the Glass Engineering Science Program will be able to design, produce and characterize glass and related materials and use that information to not only conduct independent research or solve manufacturing problems, but also to extrapolate and predict properties and processes. They will have the ability to communicate effectively to different audiences about all these aspects.
Within a few years of Graduation, Graduates of the Glass Engineering Science Program will operate as ethical and effective professionals and will have the skills necessary to clearly communicate and to function on interdisciplinary teams and be responsible stewards of the environment. (Ethical and professional development)

What will you learn if you major in glass engineering science?

Program outcomes are the knowledge, skills, and abilities that we expect graduates of the program to attain at the time of graduation.

Program Outcomes (Student Learning Outcomes)

Graduates of the Glass Engineering-Science program at Alfred University will have:

An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Similar Programs

Students enrolling in the Glass Engineering Science major often bolster their education by double majoring or minoring in these other closely related fields:

We'll Help You Find the Answers

Gabrielle Gaustad

Dean of the Inamori School of Engineering
Inamori School of Engineering