Program Overview

Materials Engineering Master of Science (MatE MS) Program

The Materials Engineering Master of Science (MatE MS) program has a strong emphasis on research to foster knowledge, skills, and activities that prepare students for real-world problems under the guidance of faculty working in areas including batteries, quantum materials, simulations, composites, semiconductors, multiferroics, nanomaterials, and polymers. Our curriculum is customizable with a wide range of technical electives to choose from to tailor student's career goals. The program offers both full-time and part-time study options leading to the MatE MS degree.

Why Study MatE MS at SJSU?

• Gain hands-on experience: Work with faculty members on project or thesis.
• Multi-disciplinary research: Work collaboratively with faculty from different disciplines, scientists in national labs such as LBL and NASA, and industry.
• Core classes in the evenings and late afternoon: Core classes start late afternoon or in the evenings to fit a working professional schedule.
• Work With Faculty on Research Projects:
  • Batteries
  • Semiconductors
  • Computation
  • Biomaterials
  • Biomedical Devices
  • Nanocomposites
  • Polymers

MatE MS Graduates at Work

With a MatE MS degree, students have the ability to work across various careers and disciplines.

• Snapshot of Career Pathways:
  • Research and Development
  • Semiconductor Processing Engineer
  • Metallurgical Engineer
  • Plastic Engineer
  • Battery Manufacturing
  • Composite Engineer
• Where are MatE MS Graduates Getting Jobs?
  • Apple
  • Meta
  • IBM
  • Lockheed
  • Tesla
  • Intel
  • Stryker
  • Lam Research

Admission Requirements

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Materials Engineering admits students for the Fall and Spring. This program is STEM-eligible.

• Deadlines:
  • The Fall application closes March 15 for International Students and May 1 for Domestic Students.
• Application Process:
  • SJSU follows a two-step graduate admissions process:
    1. Apply through Cal State Apply.
    2. (Step 2 details not provided)
• Eligibility Requirements:
  • Step 1: University Graduate Admission Eligibility Requirements
    • a. U.S. bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, or the completion of a 4-year bachelor's degree from a recognized, accredited, and approved institution from a country outside of the U.S.
    • b. A 2.5 institutional or college cumulative GPA in the last degree completed, or a 2.5 GPA in the last two years of full-time study.
    • c. Good academic standing at the latest institution attended.
    • d. English Language Proficiency Exam, if necessary.
  • Step 2: MatE MS Admission Eligibility Requirements
    1. GPA 2.7 or better with a B.S. in Materials Engineering or closely related science or engineering degrees.
    2. For international students: an acceptable English Language Proficiency exam score.
    3. GRE is NOT required.
    4. Statement of Purpose (350 to 700 words) describing why you are interested in pursuing a MatE MS degree at SJSU, your career goals, and your research interest(s).
    5. Resume (1-2 pages) detailing professional, academic, and research experiences and relevant extracurricular activities.
    6. Optional letters of recommendations for consideration if GPA in science and engineering classes is below 2.7.
    7. Transition classes may be required for students without a B.S. in Materials Engineering or those who have not taken Organic Chemistry.

Funding Resources

There are many ways you can fund your graduate education:

• Scholarship opportunities from the College of Engineering and SJSU
• Limited Teaching Assistant and Grader positions available for qualified students
• Joining a faculty-led research project with funding for student researchers
• Internships at local companies and national labs

Program Courses

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Materials Engineering is a 30 unit program. To complete the program, students must take 5 core courses and choose 3 technical electives (9 units) from various areas tailored to your career goals. In addition, there are 6 units required for Culminating Experience. Descriptions of all of the courses are available on the SJSU Catalog. Program courses are subject to change.

Program Learning Outcomes

The MatE MS Program is designed to produce graduates who:

• Are able to solve complex engineering problems and tasks, and use engineering, science, and statistics principles to justify recommendations.
• Are able to evaluate the impact of their work on society, including ethical, economic, global, and environmental aspects.
• Can deliver effective presentations of engineering results in written and oral formats.
• Have life-long learning skills and are able to apply their engineering knowledge to critically evaluate relevant literature and new technologies or systems.
• Are effective leaders, capable of working in diverse environments.
• Are able to apply their engineering education to a variety of career paths.

Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Zhang's research group uses multiscale modeling to investigate and optimize the physical properties of inorganic materials for novel electronics and renewable energy applications. Her current research focuses on understanding the behavior of point defects and dopants in transition metal oxides using density-functional theory.

Student Spotlight

Christina is working on mitigating the global plastic waste crisis through her research on polymer degradation through catalytic pyrolysis, investigating how zeolite catalysts can influence the thermal breakdown of polymers.

About the Program

1. The MatE MS program is taught by faculty with extensive research or industrial experience.
2. Our program has a strong emphasis on research to foster knowledge skills and activities that prepare students for real-world problems under the guidance of faculty working in areas including batteries, solid electrolytes, additive manufacturing, quantum materials, molecular dynamic simulations, multiferroics, and nanomaterials.
3. Our curriculum is customizable with a wide range of technical electives to choose from to tailor student's career goals.
4. Most of our core and elective courses are offered in the evenings to make it accessible for working students.
5. Our graduates get hired by industry leaders like Apple, Meta, Western Digital, Agilent, PacBio, Genentech, Six Sigma, by government agencies like NASA and LLNL, and by startups. Many of our students find jobs in industry even before they graduate. Many of our students work on industry-sponsored projects at their work or internship.