MS in Materials Science and Engineering

Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering

Students working in lab

The graduate program in materials science and engineering from Drexel Engineering provides deepened skillsets and knowledge to enhance your academic qualifications and skills to advance your career in an in-demand engineering specialization. The MS program in materials science and engineering provides a thorough grounding in the fundamental behavior of materials, and development of technical skills through the application of the principles in selection, design, processing, testing and use of engineering materials. The program offers classes and research at the forefront of materials for energy, nanotechnology, biomaterials, electronic materials, soft materials, computational materials science and advanced materials design and processing. Deepened learning that complements your interests is offered through courses in emerging subjects and abundant opportunities to participate in research.

Learn about the advances in industry, gain a global viewpoint, build entrepreneurial and teambuilding skills needed to advance your career or graduate prepared for entry into a PhD program.

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Delivery

  • On-campus
  • Full-time or part-time
  • The MS in Materials Science and Engineering program will take 1.5 years to complete on a full-time basis or can be completed on a part time basis in approximately 3-4 years.

Areas of Specialization

The MS in Materials Science and Engineering allows for a flexible plan of study. Pursue broad knowledge of the discipline or for focus in an area of interest and enhanced research participation. These include:

  • nanostructured materials
  • biomaterials
  • composite materials
  • functional materials
  • materials processing and synthesis
  • electronic materials
  • materials for energy applications
  • polymers
  • structural materials.

Curriculum and Requirements

  • The materials science and engineering master’s degree requires a total of 45 credits; 6 credits of required core courses (Thermodynamics of Solids and Introduction to Solid State Materials).
    • Research thesis option — Students carry out a cutting-edge research thesis with world-class faculty in topics on a wide range of available subjects. This option is especially well-suited for students interested in pursuing a PhD degree.
    • Non-thesis option — rather than pursuing a thesis you may pursue an additional 9 credits of coursework specific to your area of interest.
  • Graduate Certificate in Engineering Management — earn an additional credential without adding credits to your plan of study. Using electives, you will gain skills to lead projects and teams. Learn more

    Graduate advisors are available to guide your course selection and scheduling of core and elective courses. Visit the Drexel Catalog for more information and sample study plans for areas of specialization or learn more about our admissions requirements.

    Graduate Co-op

    This program is eligible for Graduate Co-op — a unique, optional three or six-month work full-time professional experience that alternates with study, available for domestic and international full-time master’s students.

    About Drexel Engineering

    Student working in lab

    In the 2023-24 US News Best Graduate Schools ranking for Materials Science, Drexel University is ranked #37 globally, which is 9th highest in the US. In the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology subject area, Drexel is ranked #39 in the world, and #7 in the US. Drexel is the the home of the renowned Drexel Nanomaterials Institute and the discovery of the MXene, a new material that is being explored worldwide for its potential applications.

    Students have access to Drexel’s state-of-the-art instrumentation facilities for materials characterization including scanning and transmission electron microscopes, battery testing, advanced polymer testing suite and synthetic facilities including nanomaterial reactors, atomic layer deposition and molecular beam epitaxy.

    At Drexel and in the Materials Science and Engineering Department (MSE), students are encouraged to be innovative and imaginative in identifying the problem, analyzing and then embarking on the quest for a solution. The focus of our programs is to equip you with the tools for finding sustainable and achievable outcomes to address society’s biggest challenges while making them relevant to your career goals.

    Faculty

    Drexel places a high value on industry connections and experience at every level. Teaching faculty are experts with industry experience or are leaders in research and teaching.  

    MSE faculty have garnered many awards and have numerous notable achievements. These include:

    • 16 Professional Society Fellows
    • 10 Early Career Awards
    • Over 21,000 citations in 2019 to journal publications authored by MSE faculty
    • 34 patents filed in 2019



    Philadelphia

    The city of Philadelphia is our campus – a diverse urban environment with a variety of social, cultural and learning opportunities that will enrich your educational experience. Philadelphia is also a draw for talented instructors and researchers, meaning you will engage with some of the best minds in engineering and other disciplines. Learn more.

    Research

    All students in the Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering program are welcome to engage in research as part of their degree or as extra-curricular participation. Full-time master’s degree candidates are encouraged to base their master’s thesis on some aspect of faculty research.

    Current research in materials science and engineering covers areas such as:

    • Ceramics
    • Composites
    • Computation and theory
    • Electronic materials
    • Energy
    • Health and medicine
    • Materials processing
    • Metals
    • Nanomaterials
    • Polymers
    • Structured materials
    • Sustainability

    The MSE department has world-class research facilities, research groups and institutes that pursue novel research and knowledge. These are sponsored by grants from many organizations ranging from the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institute of Health (NIH), American Chemical Society (ACS), Pfizer, Inc., to a host of other institutions.

    Visit research areas for an overview and activity taking place at the College of Engineering.

    Career Opportunities in Materials Science and Engineering

    Graduate programs in materials science and engineering prepare you for a career path that could include continuing your education in a PhD program or pursuing advanced technical positions or management in industries such as government, aerospace, telecommunications, manufacturing, biomedical, textiles and many others in research or management roles.

    Overall, employees with graduate degrees can earn up to 28 percent more than bachelor’s degree holders over the course of their career. The outlook for materials engineering jobs is good, with demand for employment expected to grow 3% through 2028, at average with the overall employment projections for all occupations and are on par with median annual wage for engineers according the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is further reported that materials engineers with master’s degrees achieve a large boost to salary from achieving a postgraduate degree, with median salaries of 18 percent higher than employment with only a bachelor’s degree.

    Apply Now Graduate Admissions Department Page