Materials are everywhere, in all Engineering disciplines. The big engineering challenges of our time demand sustainable, stronger, lighter, and smarter materials. We’re looking for engineers and scientists ready to work on designing the future!

We give MSE students a broad foundation in all classes of materials, including metals, polymers, ceramics, and semiconductors. To develop their skills, MSE students use chemistry and physics to understand how chemical bonding, atomic and molecular arrangements, crystal structures, and microstructures impact properties of materials. Students learn how to control and change these properties. They gain skills, computational tools, and concepts needed to solve real-world engineering problems and continue on the path of life-long learning.

“If you like chemistry, if you like physics, you want to check out this major. There’s a lot of subdisciplines. ” - Tim Chan, MSE ‘16

MSE students benefit from small classes and working closely with our faculty in undergraduate research opportunities. Students can choose electives to fit their particular STEM interests or go further by pursuing a minor or second bachelor’s degree either in Engineering, LS&A, Music, Art & Design, etc. Many of our students participate in study-abroad and co-op programs, and go on to be members and leaders in campus student organizations.

The MSE faculty is committed to its dynamic curriculum that adapts and changes both in content and pedagogy to serve the needs of a diverse student body, accommodate a wide range of student interests and ambitions, and encourage collaboration and innovation.