Program Overview

Materials Science and Engineering Master of Science Degree

Overview

The materials science and engineering MS combines science, engineering, and sustainability to solve challenges of diverse industries ranging from medicine to energy.

Why Pursue a Master's Degree in Materials Science and Engineering at RIT?

• STEM-OPT Visa Eligible: The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows full-time, on-campus international students on an F-1 student visa to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation.
• Top Employer Recruitment: Recent graduates are employed at Dow Chemical, Toyota, 3M, Samsung Austin Semiconductor, NASA Glenn Research Center, Xerox, and The Gleason Works.
• Multidisciplinary Program: Combines collaborative experiences from the Kate Gleason College of Engineering, Golisano Institute of Sustainability, and housed within the College of Science.
• Diverse Faculty: From the physical, chemical, and biological sciences, as well as leaders in engineering.
• In-demand Skills: Develop engineering skills that are essential in many industries, including transportation, electronics, machinery, medical, consulting, utilities, education, government, and retail.

Why Study Materials Science and Materials Engineering?

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.

RIT’s MS in Materials Science and Engineering

The objectives of RIT's master's in materials science and engineering are threefold:

• Offers a profound interdisciplinary learning experience in materials studies, crossing over the traditional boundaries of such classical disciplines like chemistry, physics, and electrical, mechanical, and microelectronic engineering.
• Provides extensive experimental courses in diverse areas of materials-related studies.
• Explores avenues for introducing greater harmony between industrial expansion and academic training.

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.

• Take part in extensive experimental courses in diverse areas of materials-related studies.
• Explore avenues for introducing greater harmony between industrial expansion and academic training.
• Gain the independent thinking and project management skills to grow professionally and prepare yourself for a wide range of careers.

Materials Science and Engineering MS Courses

The materials science and engineering MS 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 materials science and engineering MS 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 and engineering MS 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 typically 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.

Careers and Experiential Learning

Typical Job Titles

• Application Engineer
• Process Engineer
• Chemical Engineer
• Automation Engineer
• Product Development Specialist
• Material Scientist
• Optimized Operations Engineer
• Research Associate
• Validation Engineer

Cooperative Education and Internships

• 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.

National Labs Career Events and Recruiting

• 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.

Curriculum

Materials Science and Engineering (thesis option), MS degree, typical course sequence

• First Year
  • MTSE-601 | Materials Science | 3
  • MTSE-704 | Theoretical Methods in Materials Science and Engineering | 3
  • MTSE-705 | Experimental Techniques | 3
  • MTSE-790 | Research & Thesis | 6
  • Graduate Electives | 12
• Second Year
  • MTSE-790 | Research & Thesis | 3
  • Total Semester Credit Hours | 30

Materials Science and Engineering (project option), MS degree, typical course sequence

• First Year
  • MTSE-601 | Materials Science | 3
  • MTSE-704 | Theoretical Methods in Materials Science and Engineering | 3
  • MTSE-705 | Experimental Techniques | 3
  • MTSE-777 | Graduate Project | 3
  • Graduate Electives | 15
• Second Year
  • Graduate Elective | 3
  • Total Semester Credit Hours | 30

Electives

• MTSE-602 | Polymer Science
• MTSE-617 | Material Degradation
• MTSE-632 | Solid State Science
• MTSE-704 | Theoretical Methods in Materials Science and Engineering
• MTSE-780 | Theory of Microsensors and Actuators
• MTSE-799 | Independent Study

Admissions and Financial Aid

Application Details

• Complete an online graduate application.
• Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
• Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college in chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 (or equivalent) is recommended.
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
• Submit two letters of recommendation.
• Entrance exam requirements: None
• Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required.

English Language Test Scores

• International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.
• TOEFL | IELTS | PTE Academic
  • 79 | 6.5 | 56

Faculty

• Christopher Collison
• Scott Williams
• Matt Miri
• Parsian Katal Mohseni

Research

• The College of Science consistently receives research grant awards from organizations that include the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and NASA, which provide you with unique opportunities to conduct cutting-edge research with faculty.
• Faculty in the School of Chemistry and Materials Science conducts research on a broad variety of topics including:
  • additive manufacturing
  • biomedical applications of biochemistry
  • chemistry education
  • materials science and engineering
  • organic photovoltaics.