Master’s program · Rossin College of Engineering
Master of Science in Polymer Science and Engineering
Lehigh University’s graduate program in Polymer Science and Engineering offers a Master of Science and a Master of Engineering for students who want advanced, in-depth knowledge of polymers.
- Credits30
- Typical length1.5–2 years
- DeliveryFully online
- Degree awardedMaster of Science or Master of Engineering
- GRENeither accepted nor reviewed
On this page
Overview
What the Master of Science in Polymer Science and Engineering is
The program grounds you in the theory of polymers and then puts it to work on practical applications, with a commitment to academic rigor throughout. The goal is to equip you to take on real challenges in the field and to grow into a leader in polymer science.
Electives reach from composites, sustainability and biopolymers to adhesives, coatings and polymers in medicine, and you can also take advisor-approved courses outside polymer science. That range lets you aim the degree at a product area or a research interest, and the same core and electives serve both degrees.
A 30-credit degree, typically 1.5–2 years of full-time study, delivered fully online.
Disciplines
An interdisciplinary program
This degree is not owned by a single department. It draws faculty and coursework from 4 departments across the Rossin College.
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics
- Department of Bioengineering
Curriculum
What you study
Both degrees require 30 graduate credits: 9 credits of required polymer core courses and 21 credits of electives. The two degrees share the same course table and differ only in how the credit-level rules are written.
- Required core, 9 credits. Introduction to Polymer Science (PSE 492), Physical Polymer Science (PSE 493) and Polymer Thermodynamics (PSE 494). Polymer Thermodynamics is the recommended core thermodynamics course, and an equivalent 400-level thermodynamics course may be substituted with approval.
- Electives, 21 credits. Choose from Composite Materials, Polymer Sustainability, Biomimetic and Bio-enabled Materials, Soft Matter Physics, Mechanical Behaviors of Polymers, Emulsion Polymers, Biopolymers, Polymer Blends, Polymer Nanocomposite, Adhesion and Adhesives Technology, Polymer Characterization, Polymer Product Manufacturing (ME 485), Polymer Coatings (MAT 489) and Polymers in Medicine (CHE 472), or from departments outside polymer science with advisor approval. Up to 12 credits of advisor-approved electives at the 300 level, from within or outside polymer science, can count toward the 21.
- Master of Science. The 30 credits must include no less than 24 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework, of which 18 must be at the 400 level. Research or thesis registration may count as part of the 400-level requirement.
- Master of Engineering. The requirements describe all 30 credits as 300-level and 400-level coursework, of which 18 must be at the 400 level. They do not mention research or thesis registration.
- Major field, both degrees. No less than 18 credits are required in the major field, and 15 of them must be at the 400 level.
- Grades, both degrees. You need a B- or better in at least eighteen credits of your program and in all 300 courses in the major field. No course graded below C- counts toward the degree.
- Courses that do not count. Courses with an ESLP or EAPC subject code, undergraduate-only 300-level courses (MAT 300), and doctoral-only 400-level courses cannot be applied to either degree.
| Code | Course | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| PSE 492 | Introduction to Polymer Science | Introduction to polymer science. |
| PSE 493 | Physical Polymer Science | Physical polymer science. |
| PSE 494 | Polymer Thermodynamics | Thermodynamics of polymer systems. |
The Lehigh University Course Catalog is the official source for degree requirements, and requirements can change from year to year. Confirm your own plan against the catalog and with your academic advisor, since the core and elective courses above are listed by title.
Careers
Where graduates work
Polymer science and engineering alumni work where advanced materials are developed, made and put to use.
Most of our alumni work in manufacturing, especially chemicals, coatings, plastics and consumer products, and others work in life sciences, aerospace and defense, information technology and education. Typical roles include research scientist, principal scientist, process engineer, formulation specialist and technical specialist. Many alumni move into product development management, research and development leadership, marketing and executive positions, including chief scientist and chief technology officer.
Employers where our alumni most often work include:
- Evonik
- BASF
- 3M
- DuPont
- Dow
- Colgate-Palmolive
- Covestro
- Boeing
Alumni also work at Ceca S.A., Medtronic, Lam Research, Merck, Lockheed Martin, Carlisle Construction Materials and SGB Solutions.
Based on current employers of Lehigh polymer science and engineering alumni who graduated between 1996 and 2025. Class of 2025 master’s graduates across the Rossin College averaged $100,000 in starting salary.
Tuition and funding
What it costs, and what help is available
Base tuition for this 30-credit degree is $52,050.
- Qualified applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships as high as 20% of tuition, with no separate application required.
- International students are considered on the same basis as domestic applicants.
- Partial merit-based and alumni tuition scholarships are available. Employees of EdAssist-affiliated companies are eligible for a 20% tuition discount on this program.
How to apply
What a complete application needs
- Academic record
At least a bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent from a foreign institution, by the time you enroll. A GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale is preferred, and international GPAs are evaluated against that standard. A trend of strengthening grades in your final semesters is taken into account. You will also submit official transcripts, a personal statement, a resume, and letters of recommendation.
- Holistic review
The graduate program director reviews each application as a whole, in consultation with program faculty. The same requirements apply to the Master of Science and the Master of Engineering.
- GRE
GRE scores are neither accepted nor reviewed.
- English proficiency
International applicants submit a TOEFL iBT, IELTS, Duolingo, Cambridge English or Pearson Test of English score that meets the minimums in the table below.
- Application fee
$50, non-refundable.
- Deadlines
December 15 for a spring start, May 15 for a summer start, and July 15 for a fall start.
| Test | Overall | Speaking | Writing | Reading | Listening |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 81 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 16 |
| IELTS | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| Duolingo | 125 | 125 | 120 | 125 | 110 |
| Cambridge English | 176 | 176 | 169 | 176 | 169 |
| Pearson Test of English | 68 | 53 or above on each band | |||
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the graduate program in Polymer Science and Engineering at Lehigh?
It is an interdisciplinary program that offers a Master of Science and a Master of Engineering. Both give you in-depth knowledge of polymers, from theoretical foundations to practical applications, and prepare you to address challenges and lead in the field.
What is the difference between the MS and the M.Eng. in Polymer Science and Engineering?
They share the same core, the same electives and the same admission requirements. The MS requirements call for no less than 24 credits of 300- and 400-level coursework, 18 of them at the 400 level, and allow research or thesis registration to count toward the 400-level requirement. The M.Eng. requirements describe all 30 credits as 300- and 400-level coursework, 18 of them at the 400 level.
How many credits are the degrees?
30 credits for each degree: 9 credits of required core courses and 21 credits of electives.
How long does the program take to complete?
The program typically takes 1.5 to 2 years. Part-time students taking one or two courses per semester might take around 3 to 5 years.
Do I have to write a thesis or take a comprehensive exam?
No. Neither degree requires a thesis or a comprehensive exam. For the MS, research or thesis registration can count toward the 400-level requirement.
What courses are required?
Introduction to Polymer Science, Physical Polymer Science and Polymer Thermodynamics make up the 9-credit core. Polymer Thermodynamics is the recommended core thermodynamics course, and an equivalent 400-level thermodynamics course may be substituted with approval.
What electives can I take?
You choose 21 credits from polymer courses such as Composite Materials, Polymer Sustainability, Biopolymers, Polymer Blends, Polymer Nanocomposite, Polymer Characterization, Polymer Coatings and Polymers in Medicine, or from departments outside polymer science with advisor approval. Up to 12 credits of advisor-approved 300-level electives can count toward the 21.
What are the admission requirements?
At least a bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent from a foreign institution, by the time you enroll. A GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale is preferred, with consideration for a trend of strengthening grades in your final semesters. Applications are reviewed as a whole by the graduate program director in consultation with program faculty.
Is the GRE required for the Master of Science in Polymer Science and Engineering?
GRE scores are neither accepted nor reviewed for any Rossin College graduate program.
What English proficiency scores do international applicants need?
Minimum overall scores are 81 on the TOEFL iBT, 6.5 on the IELTS, 125 on Duolingo, 176 on Cambridge English, and 68 on the Pearson Test of English. Each test also has minimum speaking, writing, reading and listening scores, listed in the application requirements section above.
When are applications due?
December 15 for a spring start, May 15 for a summer start, and July 15 for a fall start.
How is the program delivered?
Fully online. Consult the program contact for the current term-by-term format.
What does it cost, and is funding available?
Base tuition is $52,050 for the 30-credit degree. Qualified applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships as high as 20% of tuition, with no separate application required. International students are considered on the same basis as domestic applicants.
What scholarships apply to this program specifically?
Partial merit-based and alumni tuition scholarships are available. Employees of EdAssist-affiliated companies are eligible for a 20% tuition discount on this program.
Which department offers this program?
It is interdisciplinary, drawing on 4 departments across the Rossin College rather than sitting in one: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, and Bioengineering.
What do graduates earn?
Class of 2025 master’s graduates across the Rossin College averaged $100,000 in starting salary.
How do I apply?
Apply through Lehigh’s graduate application, choosing the Master of Science or the Master of Engineering. A complete application includes transcripts, a personal statement, a resume, letters of recommendation, English proficiency scores where applicable, and a $50 application fee. Deadlines are December 15 for a spring start, May 15 for a summer start, and July 15 for a fall start.
Contact
Talk to the program
P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science
The Polymer Science and Engineering program site »
General inquiries go to engineering@lehigh.edu.