A question for Mete and anyone who knows

[Jason Arnold]

I spoke to a metallurgist a few years back about his opinions on how and where to obtain a degree in metallurgy versus materials science. He mentioned its difficult to obtain such degree's on the west coast anymore, but rather a move to materials science degrees is becoming dominant. As opposed to the east coast. He had a materials science degree, but was employed as a metallurgist because he had the training of one in materials science.

So, then my question(s) to you are: Do you think this trend is one that will faze out the metallurgical degree all together and have materials science be the newer, more well rounded version and lumping it all together? Seems like big load to carry. I mean plastics, steels, and the huge number of different engineering materials out there. Is there a move to pull all this together as the new way? Or are those who study on the east coast or those who get a degree in "metallurgy", somehow "more the expert"? Perhaps better trained at experimental or the finer aspects of the profession? Perhaps your employer makes a difference? What kind of degree do you have and where did you get it?

Just curious.

Jason

 

[mete]

Jason, My degree is BS Met E. Got that in Brooklyn but there like almost everywhere else the degree now is Materials Eng or science. Just a growing trend due to all the polymers and fiber composites that have bee developed in the last 30 years. There used to be a difference east and west ,don't know if it's the same now ,out where the mines are there were degrees in mining and the metallurgy tended toward extractive metallurgy. In the east it was more physical metallurgy .There is a blademaker who explains his background , materials science in his website , Martin as I remember. They know more and more about less and less LOL. The important thing is to understand that the learning doesn't stop when you get your degree.

 

[Jason Arnold]

Thanx for the reply Mete. That gives a little more perspective. I'd think at some point it may break back down again into more specialized areas. And I hear you on continuous learning. It makes it all more fun that way too! Always something fresh. To learn is to unlearn.