The Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering: M.S. and Ph.D.

A graduate student works at the Laboratory for Plasma Processing of Materials. The lab's research is aimed at producing nano-structures using plasma processing and establishing the scientific understanding required for the efficient production of nano-structures using this approach. The lab also uses low temperature plasmas to tailor the surface properties of materials.

If you are interested in a career in Materials Science and Engineering or want to learn more about this exciting field at the graduate level, you have come to the right place! Our Doctoral and Masters degree programs in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE, MatSci) encompasses advanced education in the entire spectrum of the field of materials: organics, semiconductors, ceramics, metals and composites. Materials are everywhere! The technology revolution of the 21st century is based on products made from new materials. There are three basic elements of the field that come to play on the development of the graduate MSE student:

1. Processing and synthesis: This is the key to the question that must be answered. How can I produce this product?
2. Structure and Properties: This is the key to the question of characterizing the materials, and from which to understand the state or condition of the material. Characterizing a material involves the understanding of the ways a materials is configured from atomic to macroscale. These arrangements are correlated with processing and coupled strongly with material properties
3. Performance: The composite of structure, properties and processing is integrated into how the product performs.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Maryland offers more than 40 graduate courses in order to assist in the intellectual development of the graduate MSE student. We are continuously improving our course materials in order to keep it relevant and in order to allow the student to make a significant career impact upon graduation.

The Department offers three types of degrees in MSE: the Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering, the Master of Engineering in Materials, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science and Engineering.

Students may apply directly to the Ph.D. program without first obtaining a Masters degree. The details of the M.S. Degree may be found at Masters of Engineering in Materials.

For more information on how to apply, see the graduate admissions page.