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

Campus Locations

Main Campus - Alfred, NY

Major

Glass Engineering Science (BS)

Double Major

Double Major option(s) offered.
Learn More

Minor

Glass Engineering Science
  • 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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
  3. 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.
  4. 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:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. 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.
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. 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:

All Undergraduate Programs