20 Best Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering

• materials
• their properties
• their applications

• economic elements
• environmental elements
• social elements elements

• energy
• healthcare
• information technology
• manufacturing
• sustainability

• technology
• health
• medicine
• changes affecting the natural environment

• research centers and institutes
• specialized laboratories that offer MSE equipment for students to use

• make discoveries in and contributions to the field of materials science
• the use of materials in contemporary society
• the textures and structures that shape the manmade environment

See Also: 10 Best Master’s in Industrial Engineering

Featured Programs

COMMON APPLICATION AND ADMISSION QUESTIONS

• computer modeling and simulation
• emerging technologies
• laboratory experiments

• curiosity
• focus
• patience
• attention to detail
• independence
• persistence

• guide them in their research
• conduct research alongside the student
• serve on the thesis committee

• prior academic performance
• standardized test scores
• professional background
• career goals
• research interests

See Also: Best Master of Environmental Science

WHAT ABOUT FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS?

• $5,000 toward the recipient’s MSE education
• $1,000 travel stipend to the society’s annual conference
• two materials processing and manufacturing scholarships of $2,500 each year
• seven yearly George A. Roberts scholarships of $6,000 each
• Lucille & Charles A. Wert Scholarship of up to $10,000 for one year of study
• annual American Society for Metals International Outstanding Scholars Awards to three promising students

• materials science
• metallurgy
• any engineering discipline

• materials science
• metallurgy
• an engineering discipline

• undergraduate background
• professional background
• beginning studies as grad students

HOW MUCH CAN I MAKE WITH A MASTER’S DEGREE IN MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING? 

• biomedical field
• health and human welfare sector
• energy, environment, and sustainable systems
• electronics or transportation industries
• defense and security sector

• offices
• design studios
• research and development laboratories

• create proposals
• plan budgets
• write reports
• analyze data

• ceramic engineers
• composites engineers
• metallurgical engineers
• plastics engineers
• semiconductor processing engineers

• internships
• cooperative learning experience
• hands-on research experience

• advanced degrees
• specialized knowledge
• cutting-edge research experience

• chemical process engineering
• engineering design
• manufacturing process engineering
• product development

A PhD degree is not typically needed for a material science and engineering management position.

WHAT ARE THE BEST MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING DEGREES?

We know that you have educational goals that you’re itching to pursue, but you may not know where to start. The editors of Master’s Programs Guide utilize a unique ranking methodology based on the following five aspects:

25% Overall Degree Affordability: Average cost of undergraduate and graduate tuition per school

25% Graduation Rate: Number of students who start at the university and actually finish there

20% Earnings Potential: Average mid-career salary of school alumni

20% Selectivity: The number of students who apply versus the number who actually get accepted

10% Online Graduate Offerings: The number of programs offered online in each department

At Master’s Programs Guide, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals.

Check out

#1. Georgia Institute of Technology

Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering

If you are interested in studying a specialized engineering discipline such as materials science and engineering, a technologically oriented institution can provide a strong environment for interdisciplinary or laser-focused research and networking. Georgia Institute of Technology, for example, is currently ranked fourth among innovative schools nationwide by U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News also ranks Georgia Tech No. 7 nationally for graduate engineering programs both overall and specifically in the materials engineering field.

Georgia Tech’s College of Engineering houses the School of Materials Science and Engineering. Its research centers and facilities include:

• Georgia Tech Polymer Network
• Renewable Bioproducts Institute
• Soft Matter Incubator
• Strategic Energy Institute

The school’s research areas focus on materials such as:

• biomaterials
• ceramics
• composites
• fibers
• metals
• nanomaterials
• polymers
• textiles

The school conducts research activities relating to areas such as energy storage and harvesting and biomedical implants and drug delivery. 

The MSE School has been in place for over a century. The school’s Master of Science degree program, however, is a relatively new and contemporary program. 

Applicants to the MS in Materials Science and Engineering program must submit their scores from the general portion of the Graduate Record Exam. Students must submit their GRE scores within five years of taking the exam. Applicants typically hear back about admittance in the spring and enter the following fall semester. It begins in mid-August.

The MSE program focuses on materials research. Almost half of the MSE School’s faculty members specialize in polymers. Students enrolled in the program can choose between three track options:

• thesis
• non-thesis
• industrial internship

The degree program also offers opportunities for:

• cooperative learning
• research
• study abroad experiences

Students have options to get involved on campus through Georgia Tech’s Student Advisory Council or Materials Umbrella Society. 

The curriculum covers:

• biomaterials
• corrosion
• functional materials
• nanomaterials
• structures
• thermodynamics

Course examples include:

• Advanced X-Ray Diffraction
• Integrated Low-Cost Microelectronics System Packaging
• Scattering Theory
• Transmission Electron Microscopy

Graduate MSE students can also expect to complete a teaching practicum, which requires them to teach at least three lectures in a particular subject area. 

Most MSE courses meet two or three times per week, during the day, on the university’s campus in midtown Atlanta, GA. Students may pursue their degree on a part-time basis, but part-time students do not qualify for financial aid.

Graduates of the Georgia Tech MSE program often go on to work for leading academic institutions, business organizations, and government research laboratories worldwide. 

The Georgia Tech MSE program offers a joint Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in materials science and engineering program. This allows students to pursue the BS and MS concurrently at an accelerated pace. The school also offers a Doctor of Philosophy MSE program. The Ph.D. program welcomes students from a variety of MS backgrounds, including those with majors in:

• biology
• physics
• biomedical engineering
• chemical engineering
• mechanical engineering
• polymer engineering
• textile engineering

Students interested in financial aid information can find it here.

#2.  Texas A&M University

Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering

The university’s College of Engineering and College of Science jointly operate the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The department houses both a Master of Science and a Master of Engineering degree program in Materials Science and Engineering. 

The interdisciplinary Master of Science program combines creativity and research in the field and offers students the choice between a thesis or non-thesis option. The Master of Engineering in materials science and engineering is a non-thesis program open to students who hold a Bachelor of Science degree in an engineering discipline. The M.Ed. degree program requires students to complete one or two written reports on research in their materials science and engineering area of study. The 36-credit MS program requires up to six credit hours of directed studies courses. The 30-credit M.Ed. program allows for a maximum of three credits of directed studies.

Both programs require students to complete courses in Fundamental Materials Science and Engineering and Quantum Mechanics for Materials Scientists. Students must also choose four designated electives and two free electives in subjects relevant to their research areas. Designated elective options include:

• Crystallography and Crystal Structure Determination
• Surface Science
• Thin Film Science and Technology

Each student must also successfully complete one mathematics course and an MSE seminar. 

Most graduate students enrolled in programs through the university’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering engage in research assistantships. This involves conducting professor-supervised research in an area of materials science and engineering interest. Students can expect to be offered multiple hands-on research opportunities on the university’s campus in College Station, TX. Students also have the option to complete a real-world internship in the field.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering operates and maintains relationships with research facilities and laboratories throughout the Texas A&M campus. In 1977, Vladimir Segal invented the Equal Channel Angular Extrusion process in the former Soviet Union. Segal went on to work as an associate in the TAMU Equal Channel Angular Extrusion Laboratory. TAMU Deformation Processing Laboratory researchers continue to conduct research on the process, which involves deforming plastic in uniform ways to avoid majorly disrupting geometric shape. 

Other notable Texas A&M MSE-related labs include:

• High Bay Structural and Materials Testing Laboratory
• Materials Characterization Facility
• Polymer Technology Consortium
• Soft Matter Facility

Many of these labs are interdisciplinary. They are operated by and/or affiliated with various disciplines within the university. This includes:

• aerospace engineering
• agriculture
• chemistry
• biology

Recent and ongoing research efforts within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering relate to areas such as:

• chronic wound repair
• dental implants
• jet engine efficiency
• airplane noise

Texas A&M also offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Materials Science and Engineering. 

Students interested in financial aid information can find it here.

#3.  University of Illinois

Master of Science in Materials Science & Engineering

The University of Illinois’ Grainger College of Engineering houses a Master of Science in materials science and engineering degree program. 

The university’s Materials Science and Engineering department is the second-largest materials department in the United States. It serves a student body of approximately 200 students. It emphasizes interdisciplinary research and nationwide collaboration. Materials faculty and students conduct specialized research in areas such as:

• biomaterials
• ceramics
• composites
• electronics
• metals
• polymers

The graduate program welcomes students with undergraduate backgrounds in various scientific and engineering disciplines, including:

• chemistry
• chemical engineering
• mechanical engineering
• physics

Applicants to the program will be evaluated based on:

• undergraduate academic performance
• letters of recommendation
• standardized test scores
• statements of purpose

Applicants must submit:

• undergraduate transcripts
• a resume
• three letters of recommendation
• GRE scores
• a single-page written statement of purpose outlining academic and professional goals

Applicants must demonstrate a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The average incoming GPA is 3.65. Individuals who demonstrate a GPA of at least 3.5 may request an application fee waiver. Upon application, individuals must indicate their area of specialized research interest. The application deadline is December 15 of each year.

The MS in materials science and engineering program is generally a non-thesis degree program Students may pursue a master’s research thesis under special circumstances. The MS program with a thesis component requires a total of 32 credit hours of study. The non-thesis option requires 36 credit hours. Research assistantships are not typically permitted for non-thesis students.

MSE students may choose to specialize in:

• biomechanics
• cancer nanotechnology
• computational science and engineering

Each MSE student must engage in four semesters of Materials Colloquia and Hard Materials Seminars and Soft Materials Seminars in each summer of residence. 

The MS in materials science & engineering curriculum covers areas including:

• biomaterials
• ceramics
• computational materials
• electronic materials
• metals
• polymers and soft materials

Course examples include:

• Atomic Scale Simulations
• Dynamics of Complex Fluids
• Physical Inorganic Chemistry
• Structure and Spectroscopy

The degree program includes qualification, preliminary, and final exams in areas such as:

• dynamics of macromolecular fluids
• optical properties of materials
• physical metallurgy

Students can typically earn their MS in materials science and engineering from Illinois in one and a half to two years of study. The degree program is designed to prepare graduates to conduct innovative research in academia, industry, and/or national laboratories.

The Materials Science and Engineering department hosts seminars in colloquia in various areas of materials science and engineering. The department’s current research projects include the development of faster-charging lithium-ion batteries through three-dimensionally nanostructured electrodes. Departmental research facilities include the Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory. It boasts world-class equipment and strong research training. 

Students interested in financial aid information can find it  here.

#4.  University of California, Los Angeles

Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering

In its 2020 rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of California, Los Angeles the number-one public university in the United States. The site also ranks the university No. 16 nationally in Best Engineering Schools at the graduate level. For students who opt to pursue their degree online, U.S. News ranks UCLA the top school in the nation for online master’s in Engineering programs. 

UCLA is home to the Samueli Department of Materials Science and Engineering within its School of Engineering and Applied Science. The department primarily serves graduate students. There is a current grad student population of more than 200 students. 

The Samueli Department also houses 14 different research facilities, including specialized centers and laboratories. Centers include:

• Functional Engineered Nano-Architectonics Focus Center
• Broad Stem Cell Research Center
• California NanoSystems Institute

Labs include:

• Archaeomaterials Group
• Electronic Materials Group
• Electronic Thin Film Lab
• Soft Materials Research Lab

Current and recent research endeavors explore areas such as:

• ancient artwork analysis
• hydrogen cars
• car cooling

Faculty research areas include:

• fiber optics
• thin films
• batteries
• optical materials

The degree program admits applicants for the fall quarter only. Applicants should have a Bachelor of Science degree in materials science and engineering or a related field. They should have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The application also requires a written statement of purpose spanning no more than two pages double-spaced. The MS program requires at least three letters of recommendation. These should ideally be from professors who taught the applicant in their junior and senior years of undergraduate study. Official GRE scores are required within five years of taking the test. Applicants must also submit transcripts and a current resume.

Upon admission, students are assigned a faculty adviser. UCLA graduate MSE students may choose from three areas of specialization:

• ceramics and ceramic processing
• electronic and optical materials
• structural materials

They also have the choice between a capstone plan and a thesis plan. The MSE curriculum covers areas including:

• analytical imaging
• diffraction methods
• organic polymers
• thermodynamics
• wall art properties

The program does not include teaching or field experience requirements.

The capstone plan consists of nine courses for a total of 36 units. The curriculum must include six courses—or 24 units—of graduate-level coursework from within the department and three upper-division courses. The capstone plan culminates in a capstone project or written comprehensive exam. The thesis plan also requires 36 units of study with 24 units at the graduate level, and it culminates with two courses of thesis research. The thesis program requires students to conduct original research in an area of interest. The capstone option does not. The entire degree program can typically be completed in five or six years.

Students interested in financial aid information can find it here.

#5.  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering

U.S. News & World report currently ranks the Massachusetts Institute of Technology third in the nation, both overall and in innovation. On top of that, the site ranks the university the number-one Best Engineering School in the United States at the graduate level, and first nationwide in Materials Engineering specifically. Due to the university’s focus on innovative scientific and technical research, MIT students are well-positioned to experiment and explore the materials engineering discipline. The university offers a Master of Science in materials science and engineering. 

Applicants to the MS in materials science and engineering program must submit standard materials including:

• GRE scores
• official transcripts
• three letters of recommendation

Each applicant must also answer the Department of Materials Science and Engineering questions in writing. All applications must be submitted by December 1 of each year. Admitted students enter the program in September for the fall semester. 

The MS in materials science in engineering program requires a minimum of 66 units of study at the graduate level. Students culminate their studies in a materials-related research thesis with an accompanying public presentation. The degree program typically requires one and a half to two years of study, including thesis research.

The Materials Laboratory allows MSE students to explore the connections between material structure, processing, and performance. The Materials Project Laboratory is team-based, with student teams designing and creating prototypes for materials and documenting their progress.

One of the MSE department’s course offerings, Passion Projects: Living in a Material World, is a project-based inquiry seminar that includes proposing a question, analyzing materials, creating a website, and sharing results through a final presentation. Courses such as Atomistic Computer Modeling of Materials involve applying computer simulations toward building an understanding of material properties. Other course examples include:

• Materials in Human Experience
• Materials, Societal Impact, and Social Innovation
• Industrial Ecology of Materials
• Organic and Biomaterials Chemistry

Graduate MSE students may prepare to teach others about the discipline through a Teaching Fellows Seminar and/or a course in Teaching Materials Science and Engineering. The Teaching Fellows Seminar prepares individuals for the process of academic- and industry-based instruction, including:

• preparing lectures
• syllabi
• course materials
• presentations
• assignments

The teaching MSE course allows degree candidates to gain hands-on, supervised teaching experience in classroom or laboratory environments. Students may also gain real-world experience through industry internships.

The MIT Materials Science and Engineering department is also associated with interdisciplinary programs in:

• archaeology and archaeological materials
• polymers and soft matter
• technology and policy

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering also participates in the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society.

MIT materials science and engineering areas of research include:

• high-performance structural materials and alloys
• materials for energy and the environment
• materials economics
• nanotechnology, nanodevices, and nanomaterials

Current and recent research developments apply materials science and engineering to copper production, hydrogels from mussels, and stretchy electronics.

Beyond graduation, individuals may go on to pursue MIT’s Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Science degree in materials science and engineering.

Students interested in financial aid information can find it here.

#6.  North Carolina State University

Master of Materials Science and Engineering

NC State’s Master of Materials Science and Engineering degree program can be completed on the university’s campus in Raleigh, NC, or at a distance through the university’s Engineering Online program. The online program format includes virtual lectures via video streaming and proctor-administered exams in students’ local area. The online and on-campus programs have the same degree requirements. 

Most applicants to the NC State MMSE program hold a Bachelor of Science degree in:

• materials science and engineering
• a different engineering discipline
• a relevant technical discipline such as chemistry or physics

GRE scores are not required for admittance to the program. However, all applicants must demonstrate a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0. This is especially in their last 60 semester hours of undergraduate study. Applicants must also submit:

• three letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional contacts
• undergraduate transcripts
• a statement of purpose

Students may transfer in up to 12 credits from another institution.

Upon enrollment, each student must complete 30 credit hours of coursework, including 18 credit hours of 500- and 700-level courses. The remainder of required credit hours may be completed in materials science and engineering or a different technical discipline. Enrolled students must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. Students must leave the program if they complete 18 credit hours with a GPA below 2.78, more than 18 hours with a GPA below 2.67, or 30 hours with a GPA below 3.0.

The Master of MS&E program follows a non-thesis, coursework-only program plan. Projected MSE courses for the fall semester include:

• Ceramic Processing
• Elements of Crystallography and Diffraction
• Nanoscale Simulations and Modeling

Projected spring courses include:

• Defects in Solids
• Modern Concepts in Materials Science
• Phase Transformations and Kinetics

Four courses are projected for the typical MSE summer session:

• Composite Materials
• Mechanical Behavior of Engineering Materials
• Modern Concepts in Materials Science
• Polymer Technology and Engineering

The NC State materials science and engineering is home to various research centers and labs. Its research facilities include:

• Analytical Instrumentation Facility
• Nanofabrication Facility
• PULSTAR Reactor Facility

The department’s research centers include:

• Center for Additive Manufacturing and Logistics
• Molecular Education, Technology, and Research Innovation Center

Laboratory facilities include:

• Chemical Analysis and Spectroscopy Laboratory
• Textile Engineering, Chemistry, and Science Analytical Services Laboratory

The department’s research areas include:

• computational materials science
• energy materials, soft and biomaterials
• structural materials

North Carolina State University is currently ranked among the top 25 graduate engineering schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The site also ranks the university’s online engineering programs at No. 7 nationally. 

Students interested in financial aid information can find it here.

#7.  University of California Riverside

Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering

UC Riverside’s interdisciplinary Master of Science in materials science and engineering program blends the engineering discipline with chemical and physical sciences. It incorporates collaborations from faculty from various disciplines within the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering and the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. MSE students can make use of resources from:

• Departments of Bioengineering, Chemical & Environmental Engineering
• Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics

The degree program welcomes applicants from both engineering and non-engineering backgrounds. Admission decisions are primarily based on:

• academic record
• letters of recommendation
• prior relevant experience
• statement of purpose
• test scores

Acceptance is only applicable for one quarter, and admitted students may not defer enrollment.

The interdisciplinary MSE program allows students to study and conduct research in departments such as:

• bioengineering
• chemistry
• electrical engineering
• mechanical engineering
• physics

Faculty research areas include:

• crystallography
• microscopy
• spectroscopy
• photophysics
• photochemistry
• targeted drug delivery
• solar energy conversion

UCR MSE research facilities include resources for characterization, high-performance computing, materials synthesis, and processing. Facilities include the Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering and the Central Facility for Advanced Microscopy and Microanalysis. UCR students have access to resources and equipment including:

• optical microscopes
• polisher grinder
• low-speed saw
• probe station

Students may follow a program plan that culminates in a master’s research thesis or a comprehensive exam. Both plans consist of 36 units of graduate coursework, including a maximum of six units in directed studies. The thesis plan includes a maximum of 12 units of graduate research, while the exam plan does not include a research component. The written comprehensive exam is conducted at the same time as the doctoral preliminary exam. It emphasizes fundamentals of materials engineering.

Students plan their programs of study with input from a faculty advisor. They can also offer non-degree guidance in areas such as housing and career development. The MSE graduate advisor and research advisor must approve the course of study each quarter. 

The program curriculum is comprised of five key areas of study:

• crystal structure and bonding
• functional materials: semiconductors, materials characterization techniques, materials synthesis and processing
• thermodynamic foundations of materials

Course examples include:

• Applied Quantum Mechanics
• Imperfections in Solids
• Electron Microscopy and Analysis
• Spintronics and Nanoscale Magnetism
• Structure and Bonding in Inorganic Chemistry

All MSE graduate students must take an overview course in Materials Science and Engineering and enroll in Materials Science and Engineering colloquia each quarter. Students in the MSE program can also expect to gain hands-on experience through a laboratory in nanoscale materials characterization and processing. 

 The degree program can typically be completed in six quarters, or two years. Graduates of the program will be prepared for careers in:

• aerospace industries
• automotive industries
• biomedical industries
• nanotechnology industries
• government agencies
• research laboratories

Students interested in financial aid information can find it here.

#8.  University of California, Berkeley

Master of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering

The University of California, Berkeley houses a Department of Materials Science and Engineering within its College of Engineering. The department offers a Master of Engineering degree program. The M.Eng. is a professional master’s degree offered through a collaboration between various departments within the College of Engineering. 

The M.Eng. in materials science and engineering is offered jointly between Berkeley’s College of Engineering and the university’s Fung Institute for Engineering Leadership. It is designed to prepare individuals for leadership positions in professional engineering. Most program applicants are engineers with industrial experience seeking career advancement. 

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree or equivalent with a major in:

• chemistry
• engineering
• physics
• related field

The degree must be from an accredited college or university. Individuals must demonstrate a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2. Applicants must submit:

• all official college transcripts
• three letters of recommendation
• statement of purpose spanning no more than two pages

Prospective students must also demonstrate a sufficient score on the general GRE, ideally in the 85th percentile or higher. Relevant work experience is also helpful for admittance to the program.

The MSE program focuses on:

• opto-electronic materials
• structural materials
• materials for advanced energy systems at the nano, micro, and macro levels

Degree candidates may specialize in:

• bio
• chemical
• electrochemical
• computational
• electronic
• magnetic
• optic
• structural materials

The graduate MSE program offers technical concentrations in:

• advanced structural materials
• biomaterials
• chemical and electrochemical materials
• computational materials
• electronic, magnetic, and optical materials

Alternatively, students may follow a general track toward the degree. 

The degree program includes 25 semester units total, including eight units in core leadership studies, 12 in technical expertise, and five units of work on the culminating capstone project. Students can expect to explore engineering leadership areas such as accounting and entrepreneurship as they relate to technology-driven projects. The core curriculum includes courses such as:

• Communications for Engineering Leaders
• Entrepreneurship for Engineers

The program includes interactive, intensive pre-semester “boot camp” sessions. Students can expect to analyze case studies and explore areas of engineering leadership such as:

• ethics
• negotiations
• organizational behavior

The program culminates in a nine-month capstone experience. Students work in teams of three to six to apply engineering principles and technologies toward contemporary issues in the materials science and engineering field.

The MSE degree program is delivered in an accelerated format. Prospective students are required to indicate their desired program plan upon application. This will not influence the admissions decision. Students may choose to enroll in the program on a full-time basis in order to earn their degree in one year. Working professionals may opt to complete the program on a part-time basis. 

The Berkeley MSE department also offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree program. Also, a fifth-year dual degree program in which students can pursue a Master of Science degree concurrently with a Bachelor of Science degree. Berkeley does not typically offer a standalone or terminal MS program.

Find financial aid information here.

#9.  Carnegie Mellon University

Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering

“Think of yourself as on the threshold of unparalleled success,” Andrew Carnegie once said. “A whole, clear, glorious life lies before you. Achieve! Achieve!”

In 1900, Carnegie founded Carnegie Mellon University. It evolved from a technical school into the private research university it is today. Located in Philadelphia, PA, the university has been at the forefront of such innovations as artificial intelligence and Wi-fi. 

CMU offers a Master of Science degree program in materials science and engineering. Prospective students should have an undergraduate degree in materials science and engineering or a related discipline.  They should have a B average, for a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Required application materials include:

• three letters of recommendation
• official transcripts
• written answers to essay questions
• a current resume
• official GRE scores

The MSE degree program is coursework-based and designed to be completed on a full-time basis. Students can expect to learn about the processing, properties, and structure of materials and how they can be applied to various areas of engineering. Students will also have opportunities to pursue their own individual research interests. Students typically complete the degree program in two 15-week semesters of full-time study. Individuals with special circumstances who would like to pursue the degree on a different timeline may do so with director approval. 

The curriculum consists of 96 credits of graduate study, comprised of:

• 24 units each of core courses
• elective courses
• approved MSE-related courses
• approved graduate courses

All students must also enroll in a graduate seminar each semester. Students must maintain an overall average grade of B for an average GPA of at least 3.0. 

The core curriculum covers:

• bonding
• defects
• diffusion
• structure of materials
• thermodynamics

Graduate MSE electives include:

• Materials for Nuclear Energy Systems
• Mechanical Behavior in Extreme Environments, Soft Materials, and Tissue Engineering
• Chemistry and Light
• Mechanics of Fracture and Fatigue, Nanoparticles, and Polymer Physics
• Morphology
• Energy Demand and Utilization
• Energy Policy and Economics
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Technology
• Medical Devices

The MSE degree program is housed in the university’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering within its college of engineering, the Carnegie Institute of Technology. The department hosts a materials science and engineering seminar series. In its spring 2020 series, seminar topics included atom-to-solid evolution, magnetism and optical pulses, and phase diagrams of complex materials. The department also hosts four research centers:

• the Center for Iron and Steelmaking Research
• the Data Storage Systems Center
• the NextManufacturing Center
• the Engineering Research Accelerator

The department conducts interdisciplinary research in four core MSE areas:

• computational materials science
• inorganic functional materials
• manufacturing and materials microstructure
• materials for healthcare

Recent research highlights have included a footstep-sensing invention, a smart heating and cooling technology, and an app that bridges the gap between a patient’s physiological signals and the nearest healthcare facility.

Find financial aid information here.

#10.  Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering; Master of Engineering in Materials Science and Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the oldest technological research university in the United States. It focuses on the future through cutting-edge innovation in areas ranging from cybersecurity to renewable energy. Located in Troy, NY, the Rensselaer campus houses one of the world’s most powerful university-based supercomputers. The university’s tagline is, “Why not change the world?”

Rensselaer offers prospective students the option to pursue either a Master of Science or a Master of Engineering degree in materials science and engineering. Both programs are offered through the institute’s School of Engineering. Each MSE degree program requires candidates to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate study. 

MSE degree candidates must take at least three courses from the five-course core MSE graduate curriculum, which consists of engineering courses in:

• Advanced Electronic Properties
• Advanced Kinetics
• Advanced Mechanical Properties
• Advanced Structure and Bonding
• Advanced Thermodynamics

Students must also take at least six credits of MSE electives. An academic adviser must approve each student’s elective course selection. The remainder of the required credits toward the degree may be fulfilled through any 6000-level courses within the School of Engineering and/or School of Science.

The Master of Science degree program requires a written research thesis accompanied by an oral presentation. The final oral thesis presentation is given to the scientific community in a setting such as a professional or scientific conference or workshop, or during a seminar at Rensselaer. The Master of Engineering does not require a thesis. Instead, it culminates in a capstone independent study project. Typically students complete it in an industry or government setting. The project is completed over one semester, for a total of three to four credits.

Rensselaer’s department of Materials Science and Engineering is home to the Materials Science Graduate Society. The student society organizes and hosts a Graduate Student Seminar Series on the third Thursday of each month. Each seminar evening involves two 30-minute presentations given by graduate students, followed by a dinner. 

The Materials Science and Engineering department houses four distinct materials engineering laboratories for students and faculty research:

• Electron Microscopy Laboratory
• Materials Analysis Laboratory
• Mechanical Testing Laboratory
• Metallographic Laboratory

The department is affiliated with a number of research centers, including:

• Center for Materials, Devices, and Integrated Systems
• Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies
• Center for Computation Innovations
• NYS Center for Future Energy Systems

The MSE graduate department focuses on six key areas of research:

• advanced synthesis and processing
• computational materials science
• electronic materials
• glasses and ceramics
• metallurgy and corrosion
• polymers and biomaterials

Find financial aid information here.

OTHER NOTABLE PROGRAMS

#11. University of Tennessee – Knoxville

Location: Knoxville, TN

Degree: Master’s Degree in Materials Science and Engineering

Website

#12. Stony Brook University

Location: Stony Brook, NY

Degree: Master’s Degree in Materials Science and Engineering

Website    

#13. Purdue University

Location: West Lafayette, IN

Degree: Master’s Degree in Materials Engineering

Website     

#14. University of Pennsylvania

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Degree: Master’s Degree in Materials Science and Engineering

Website    

#15. Rutgers University

Location: Piscataway, NJ

Degree: Master’s Degree in Materials Science and Engineering

Website      

#16. University of California – Irvine

Location: Irvine, CA

Degree: Master’s Degree in Materials Science and Engineering

Website       

#17. Michigan State University

Location: East Lansing, MI

Degree: Master’s Degree in Materials Science and Engineering

Website   

#18. University of Wisconsin Madison

Location: Madison, WI

Degree: Master’s Degree in Materials Science and Engineering

Website     

#19. University of California – San Diego

Location: San Diego, CA

Degree: Master’s Degree in Materials Science and Engineering

Website 

#20. Northwestern University

Location: Evanston, IL

Degree: Master’s Degree in Materials Science and Engineering

Website       

IF YOU ENJOYED THAT THEN CHECK OUT OUR ARTICLES ON THE 50 BEST ONLINE MASTERS IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING & THE 50 BEST ONLINE MASTERS OF ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT!