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    Materials Science and Engineering: Designing for Society's Needs
    Online Program

    Materials Science and Engineering: Designing for Society's Needs

    by Brown Pre-College Programs

    Brown's materials science course connects atomic structure and material properties with an engineering challenge: designing a durable, cost-effective bridge component.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Materials Science and Engineering at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Grades 9-12; strong English

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $4,656

    Duration

    3 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    EngineeringScience
    Language: English
    Sessions / cadence: Daily asynchronous work; about 15 hours/week
    Mentor model: Instructor office hours; optional live sessions
    Assessment style: Feedback; no formal grades or credit
    Main deliverable / output: Bridge-element design and build
    Certificate: Digital certificate; Course Performance Report
    Latest verified cycle: 2026

    Materials Science and Engineering summary

    Brown's introductory course explains how atomic structure and bonding influence the behavior of engineering materials. It connects scientific principles with decisions about which materials suit particular applications.

    You investigate metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and advanced materials, then apply your learning to a bridge-component design challenge. Instructor feedback supports the learning process without formal grades.

    It suits students who want to test their interest in engineering through a concrete design problem and can manage independent study.

    What is Materials Science and Engineering: Designing for Society's Needs?

    Materials Science and Engineering: Designing for Society's Needs is an introductory Brown University Pre-College course about the science behind engineering materials. It examines how atomic assembly and bonding affect metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites. Students also investigate biomaterials, nanomaterials, and other advanced materials.

    The course turns these concepts into an engineering challenge: designing and theoretically testing a durable, cost-effective bridge component. Its mostly asynchronous format combines independent coursework with optional live sessions and instructor office hours. The experience helps students explore engineering thinking and make more informed choices about future study.

    Why Succeed highlights Materials Science and Engineering

    • The bridge-component challenge gives abstract ideas about bonding and strength a concrete engineering purpose.

    • Comparing metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites introduces the material-selection decisions engineers actually face.

    • Personalized feedback and instructor office hours give independent learners opportunities to discuss their understanding.

    • The published outcomes explicitly connect the course with decisions about future engineering study.

    Who is Materials Science and Engineering for?

    Best for

    Students curious about why materials behave differently who want to connect scientific ideas with engineering design and can organize independent coursework.

    Not ideal if

    You need college credit, formal grades, or a course built around required daily live teaching.

    Is Materials Science and Engineering worth it?

    This course can be worthwhile if you want a focused introduction to the relationship between scientific principles and engineering choices. The bridge challenge gives you a practical context for comparing materials, while instructor feedback can help you identify what you understand and what needs more work.

    Its value depends on your willingness to engage consistently with independent coursework. The completion certificate and performance report document participation and work, but the course provides neither college credit nor a transcript. Brown also states that Pre-College is not a prospecting program for undergraduate admissions.

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $4,656; includes Online coursework and instruction, Personalized feedback, Virtual instructor office hours, Optional live sessions, Required Canvas orientation, Virtual activities and workshops, Digital certificate upon successful completion, Course Performance Report following completion.

    Dates and time commitment

    3 weeks; Daily asynchronous work; about 15 hours/week.

    Provider details

    Review the Brown Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: The main practical outcome is applying materials science to design and build a cost-effective, structurally sound bridge element.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    Brown expects applicants to complete the process largely independently. Parents can support planning and discussions, but application materials must be the student's original work.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does Materials Science and Engineering need?

    Effort level

    Moderate to high, with about 15 hours of coursework weekly.

    Best started

    Four to six weeks before the next summer application deadline, allowing time for essays and academic records.

    Main challenge

    Connecting atomic-scale material behavior with a structurally sound, cost-effective design.

    Typical preparation

    • Review Algebra 1 concepts and refresh any chemistry you have already studied.

    • Draft the application essay and gather current and previous academic-year grades.

    • Allow extra preparation time if you need English-proficiency testing or a recommendation.

    • Reserve about three hours in the week before the course for the required Canvas orientation.

    Useful if

    You want to test your interest in engineering before choosing further study.

    What do students do on Materials Science and Engineering?

    You explore the scientific fundamentals of materials and use them to make engineering decisions. The practical focus is a bridge component that balances durability, structural strength, and cost.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Complete the required Canvas orientation before the course begins.

    2. 2

      Investigate how atoms assemble into metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites.

    3. 3

      Examine how imperfections in atomic bonding change material properties.

    4. 4

      Explore advanced materials and identify suitable materials for particular applications.

    5. 5

      Apply your understanding to bridge-element design, building, and theoretical testing.

    6. 6

      Use instructor feedback and office hours to discuss your learning.

    Materials Science and Engineering dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    15 May 2026

    General Pre-College application deadline; course enrollment is separate.

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    6-24 July 2026

    Reference date

    Applications open

    14 January 2026

    Brown Pre-College general application cycle.

    Reference date

    Final admission decisions

    22 May 2026

    Decisions are communicated through the admissions process.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Completing grades 9-12.

    • Ages 14-18 by 14 June 2026.

    • Strong English language proficiency.

    • Algebra 1 completion is recommended.

    • Some chemistry exposure is beneficial; AP chemistry is unnecessary.

    • Applicable international applicants must submit English-proficiency test results.

    How much does Materials Science and Engineering cost?

    Program fee

    $4,656 — One three-week online course.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $80 — Non-refundable; eligible applicants may request a waiver.
    • Enrollment deposit: $500 — Required after admission; normally non-refundable.
    • Scholarships: Separate application — Eligibility is restricted to specified U.S. citizenship or immigration categories.

    What's included

    Online coursework and instruction, Personalized feedback, Virtual instructor office hours, Optional live sessions, Required Canvas orientation, Virtual activities and workshops, Digital certificate upon successful completion, Course Performance Report following completion

    How to apply to Materials Science and Engineering

    1. 1

      Create one applicant account in Brown's Student Portal.

    2. 2

      Complete the Brown Pre-College application form and a 250-500-word essay.

    3. 3

      Upload current and previous academic-year grades in English.

    4. 4

      Pay the $80 application fee or obtain an approved waiver.

    5. 5

      Provide applicable English-proficiency results and any indicated or requested recommendation.

    6. 6

      Monitor your portal and email for missing materials and your admissions decision.

    7. 7

      After admission, confirm your course choice before paying the non-refundable $500 deposit.

    8. 8

      Enroll separately in the course through your Student Portal.

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    Learning format

    The course uses Canvas and is mostly asynchronous, with daily engagement and about 15 hours of coursework per week, generally two to three hours each day. Optional live sessions and instructor office hours supplement independent study; a required Canvas orientation takes approximately three hours before the course begins.

    Complete the orientation by the end of Friday before the course starts.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Karen Haberstroh is the listed course instructor.

    • Brown identifies Haberstroh as Associate Director, Engineering Programs.

    • All online courses include virtual instructor office hours.

    • Personalized feedback supports your academic learning.

    • Optional live sessions connect you with the instructor and classmates.

    • The Course Performance Report assesses your work and engagement.

    Time-zone considerations

    • Most coursework can be completed asynchronously.
    • Optional live-session times are announced at the start of the course.
    • Daily engagement remains important even when you choose your study times.
    • Reserve about 15 hours each week for coursework.

    Tech requirements

    • Use Canvas for online course participation.

    • Complete the required Canvas orientation before the course.

    • Activate your Brown account and Brown email account after enrollment.

    Assessment style

    Assessment centers on instructor feedback, course engagement, and successful completion rather than formal grades or college credit.

    • Receive personalized academic feedback.
    • Demonstrate consistent engagement with coursework.
    • Apply your learning through the bridge-element challenge.
    • Receive an instructor-written Course Performance Report after completion.
    • Successful completion qualifies you for the digital certificate.

    Portfolio / outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    The main practical outcome is applying materials science to design and build a cost-effective, structurally sound bridge element.

    • Theoretical testing of your bridge component

    • Digital Certificate of Completion after successful completion

    • Course Performance Report documenting work and engagement

    Materials Science and Engineering FAQs

    You will study atomic structure, bonding, material properties, and the use of metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, biomaterials, and nanomaterials. You will apply these ideas to a bridge-component engineering challenge.

    No. This is an introductory course, although some chemistry exposure is beneficial. Students who have completed Algebra 1 are best prepared.

    This section is mostly asynchronous, with optional live sessions. Live-session times are announced at the start of the course, and all online courses include instructor office hours.

    Plan for about 15 hours of coursework per week, generally two to three hours each day. Before the course, you must also complete a Canvas orientation that takes approximately three hours.

    The course does not award college credit or a transcript. Successful completion earns a digital Certificate of Completion, and completing this three-week course also earns a Course Performance Report.

    No. You apply to Brown Pre-College first, and course enrollment is a separate action after admission and payment of the non-refundable deposit. Admission does not guarantee a seat in a particular course.

    Brown expects applicants to complete the process largely independently. Parents can support planning and discussions, but application materials must be the student's original work.

    Brown states that Pre-College is not a prospecting program for undergraduate admissions. Successful completion can demonstrate subject interest, but it does not establish a special admissions pathway.

    Alternatives to Materials Science and Engineering

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Handbook of Pre-College Policies | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Financial Policies and Payment Information | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Application Checklist | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Apply | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Program Dates and Costs | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Brown Pre-College Online
    • 2026 Program Costs: Breakdown of Fees
    • Materials Science and Engineering: Designing for Society's Needs - Pre-College Course Catalog"

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Course identity checked

    • Online format verified

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Reference dates checked

    • Course fee matched

    • Application materials reviewed

    • Completion outcomes checked

    • Financial policies reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.