Typical Job Titles
Application Engineer | Process Engineer |
Chemical Engineer | Automation Engineer |
Product Development Specialist | Material Scientist |
Optimized Operations Engineer | Process Engineer |
Research Associate | Validation Engineer |
The materials science and engineering MS combines science, engineering, and sustainability to solve challenges of diverse industries ranging from medicine to energy.
With the advent of new classes of materials and instruments, the traditional practice of empiricism in the search for and selection of materials is rapidly becoming obsolete. Due to this evolution, this is the ideal time to learn the skills to develop new materials with enhanced properties, enabling the creation of cutting-edge technologies.
The objectives of RIT's master's in materials science and engineering are threefold:
Our materials science and engineering MS spans three colleges: Science, Engineering, and Sustainability. This gives you broad access to courses, faculty, and facilities not found in other programs. In addition, the applied nature of the research and our co-op connections are unrivaled.
The materials science and engineering MS includes three required core courses, graduate electives, and either a thesis or project.
In the materials science master’s degree you’ll receive a serious interdisciplinary learning experience in materials studies, crossing over the traditional boundaries of such classical disciplines like chemistry, physics, and engineering.
The objectives of the materials science degree are threefold:
Our materials science master’s degree spans across three colleges: Science, Engineering and Sustainability. This gives you broad access that is not found in other programs that might be in a single college. In addition, the applied nature of the research and our co-op connections are unrivaled.
The materials science degree includes three required core courses, graduate electives, and either a thesis or project.
Courses: The core courses are specially designed to establish a common base of materials-oriented knowledge for students with baccalaureate degrees in chemistry, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, and related disciplines.
There also is an emphasis on experimental techniques, with one required experimental course as part of the curriculum. This aspect of the masters in materials science will enhance your confidence when dealing with materials-related problems.
Electives: Elective courses may be selected from advanced courses offered by the School of Chemistry and Materials Science or, upon approval, from courses offered by other RIT graduate programs. Elective courses are scheduled on a periodic basis. Transfer credit may be awarded based on academic background beyond the bachelor’s degree or by examination, based on experience.
Thesis/Project: Choose to complete a thesis or a project as the conclusion to your program. If you pursue the thesis option, you will take four graduate electives, complete nine credit hours of research, and produce a thesis paper. Alternatively, the project option includes six graduate electives and a 3 credit hour project.
Part-Time Study: The materials science degree offers courses in the late afternoon and evenings to encourage practicing scientists and engineers to pursue the program without interrupting their employment. (This may not apply to courses offered off campus at selected industrial sites.) Students employed full time are normally limited to a maximum of two courses, or 6 credit hours, each semester. If you wish to register for more than 6 credit hours, then you must obtain the permission of your advisor.
Students are also interested in: Chemistry MS, Materials Science and Engineering Adv. Cert.
Application Engineer | Process Engineer |
Chemical Engineer | Automation Engineer |
Product Development Specialist | Material Scientist |
Optimized Operations Engineer | Process Engineer |
Research Associate | Validation Engineer |
What makes an RIT science and math education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete science and math co-ops and gain real-world experience that sets you apart. Co-ops in the College of Science include cooperative education and internship experiences in industry and health care settings, as well as research in an academic, industry, or national lab. These are not only possible at RIT, but are passionately encouraged.
What makes an RIT education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete relevant, hands-on career experience. At the graduate level, and paired with an advanced degree, cooperative education and internships give you the unparalleled credentials that truly set you apart. Learn more about graduate co-op and how it provides you with the career experience employers look for in their next top hires.
Co-ops and internships are encouraged for graduate students in the materials science degree.
The Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education offers National Labs and federally-funded Research Centers from all research areas and sponsoring agencies a variety of options to connect with and recruit students. Students connect with employer partners to gather information on their laboratories and explore co-op, internship, research, and full-time opportunities. These national labs focus on scientific discovery, clean energy development, national security, technology advancements, and more. Recruiting events include our university-wide Fall Career Fair, on-campus and virtual interviews, information sessions, 1:1 networking with lab representatives, and a National Labs Resume Book available to all labs.
Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
---|---|---|
First Year | ||
MTSE-601 | Materials Science |
3 |
This course provides an understanding of the relationship between structure and properties necessary for the development of new materials. Topics include atomic and crystal structure, crystalline defects, diffusion, theories, strengthening mechanisms, ferrous alloys, cast irons, structure of ceramics and polymeric materials and corrosion principles. Term paper on materials topic. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lecture 3 (Fall). | ||
MTSE-704 | Theoretical Methods in Materials Science and Engineering |
3 |
This course includes the treatment of vector analysis, special functions, waves, and fields; Maxwell Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac distributions, and their applications. Selected topics of interest in electrodynamics, fluid mechanics, and statistical mechanics will also be discussed. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lecture 3 (Fall). | ||
MTSE-705 | Experimental Techniques |
3 |
The course will introduce the students to laboratory equipment for hardness testing, impact testing, tensile testing, X-ray diffraction, SEM, and thermal treatment of metallic materials. Experiments illustrating the characterization of high molecular weight organic polymers will be performed. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lab 3 (Spring). | ||
MTSE-790 | Research & Thesis |
6 |
Dissertation research by the candidate for an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor. (Enrollment in this course requires permission from the department offering the course.) Thesis (Fall, Spring, Summer). | ||
Graduate Electives |
12 | |
Second Year | ||
MTSE-790 | Research & Thesis |
3 |
Dissertation research by the candidate for an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor. (Enrollment in this course requires permission from the department offering the course.) Thesis (Fall, Spring, Summer). | ||
Total Semester Credit Hours | 30 |
Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
---|---|---|
First Year | ||
MTSE-601 | Materials Science |
3 |
This course provides an understanding of the relationship between structure and properties necessary for the development of new materials. Topics include atomic and crystal structure, crystalline defects, diffusion, theories, strengthening mechanisms, ferrous alloys, cast irons, structure of ceramics and polymeric materials and corrosion principles. Term paper on materials topic. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lecture 3 (Fall). | ||
MTSE-704 | Theoretical Methods in Materials Science and Engineering |
3 |
This course includes the treatment of vector analysis, special functions, waves, and fields; Maxwell Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac distributions, and their applications. Selected topics of interest in electrodynamics, fluid mechanics, and statistical mechanics will also be discussed. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lecture 3 (Fall). | ||
MTSE-705 | Experimental Techniques |
3 |
The course will introduce the students to laboratory equipment for hardness testing, impact testing, tensile testing, X-ray diffraction, SEM, and thermal treatment of metallic materials. Experiments illustrating the characterization of high molecular weight organic polymers will be performed. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lab 3 (Spring). | ||
MTSE-777 | Graduate Project |
3 |
This course is a capstone project using research facilities available inside or outside of RIT. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Project . | ||
Graduate Electives |
15 | |
Second Year | ||
Graduate Elective |
3 | |
Total Semester Credit Hours | 30 |
Course | ||
---|---|---|
MTSE-602 | Polymer Science |
|
Polymers are ubiquitous. They are used in everyday applications as well as for specialty and cutting-edge technologies. This course is an introduction to the chemistry and physics of synthetic polymers, which include plastics, elastomers and fibers. The synthesis of polymers, their fundamental properties, and the relations between their syntheses, structure, and properties will be studied. Among the topics discussed are the morphology, thermal behavior, solubility, viscoelasticity and characterization of polymers. Copolymerization, tacticity and sustainability of polymers will also be covered. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lecture 3 (Spring). | ||
MTSE-617 | Material Degradation |
|
This course introduces the basic electrochemical nature of corrosion and considers the various factors that influence the rate of corrosion in a variety of environments. Various means of controlling corrosion are considered with demonstrations. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lecture 3 (Fall). | ||
MTSE-632 | Solid State Science |
|
This course is an introduction to the physics of the solid state including crystal structure, x-ray diffraction by crystals, crystal binding, elastic waves and lattice vibrations, thermal properties, the free electron model of solids, and band theory and its applications. (This course is restricted to MSENG-MS Major students.) Lecture 3 (Fall). | ||
MTSE-704 | Theoretical Methods in Materials Science and Engineering |
|
This course includes the treatment of vector analysis, special functions, waves, and fields; Maxwell Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac distributions, and their applications. Selected topics of interest in electrodynamics, fluid mechanics, and statistical mechanics will also be discussed. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lecture 3 (Fall). | ||
MTSE-780 | Theory of Microsensors and Actuators |
|
This course introduces the theory and development of sensors at the molecular and ionic levels. Mechanism details for operation of the sensors and actuators will be discussed. Fundamental aspects related to chemical, biochemical, piezoresistive, magnetic, thermal, and luminescent sensors will be discussed with an emphasis on the development of innovative products. Control systems based on ion selectivity for biomedical applications will be covered in detail. Neurotransmitters, neural network, and directional selectivity using conducting polymers will also be covered. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lecture 3 (Spring). | ||
MTSE-799 | Independent Study |
|
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for a masters-level student. (Enrollment in this course requires permission from the department offering the course.) Ind Study (Fall, Spring, Summer). |
* Additional approved electives comprise graduate courses offered by programs in the College of Science, Kate Gleason College of Engineering, College of Engineering Technology, Golisano Institute for Sustainability, School of Individualized Studies, and the Saunders College of Business. Prerequisites for all approved electives include Graduate Standing and may require permission of instructor.