Master's in Materials Science and Engineering overview
The MS in Materials Science and Engineering program equips graduates with advanced engineering, physics, and chemistry concepts, enabling them to advance into leadership roles with lasting impact across fields such as health and biomedicine, energy, high-performance computing, communications, infrastructure, and manufacturing. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Lehigh provides a close-knit and welcoming environment, with access to large-scale research resources and a thriving network of alumni that spans the globe. Our renowned faculty provide the tools necessary for a lifelong pursuit of inventive research and the design of innovative products that shape industries and change lives.
Master's in Materials and Engineering highlights
- Program draws students from diverse technical backgrounds beyond materials science and engineering, including chemical engineers, biologists, bioengineers, chemists, environmental engineers, polymer scientists, and physicists.
- The department has a 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
- 80% of the faculty hold prestigious national awards and fellowships.
- The department receives $4M in sponsored research annually.
Materials Science and Engineering salary and career outlook
The MS in Materials Science and Engineering program has a strong track record for placing its graduates with highly competitive salaries in influential positions in leading companies across the country and around the world. Alumni have been placed at top companies and institutions, including:
- Alcoa
- Case Western University
- DuPont
- ExxonMobil
- Lockheed Martin
- Naval Nuclear Laboratory
- Sandia National Laboratory
- SpaceX
- University of California, Irvine
Materials Science and Engineering program format
The Master of Science (MS) program in Materials Science and Engineering is available for on-campus study. The program offers flexibility to both ensure a smooth transition for those with backgrounds in related STEM disciplines and for students to tailor their course of study and research to their interests and career goals. The department is also strongly affiliated with the MS in Polymer Science and Engineering, which is online only. Additionally, the department offers a certificates in Nanotechnology.
Materials Science and Engineering collaborations
The department has a thriving research environment, and students can work with faculty who are leaders in their fields. Students also have access to large-scale research resources and can collaborate with a well-connected community of alumni.
Materials Science and Engineering external funding
Research in the department is supported by public and private sponsors, including the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, and the U.S. Department of Energy as well as industrial partners like Arkema, Carpenter Technologies, Dow, IBM, and Intel.
Master's in Materials Science and Engineering admissions requirements
To be considered for admission to the master's program, candidates must hold at least a Bachelor of Science (or equivalent) degree in a related field. A complete application must include:
- A candidate's personal statement detailing their motivation for graduate study and research interests.
- The candidate's resume summarizing background relevant to graduate study.
- Complete transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Unofficial copies may be uploaded initially, but official transcripts are required upon accepting an offer of admission.
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from qualified individuals.
- For international students whose first language is not English who have not studied in the US or countries where English is an official and widely spoken language, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or Cambridge English Qualification test scores are required.
- A non-refundable application fee of $50.
- GRE test scores are not required.