Master's Degree in Materials Science and Engineering
The Tulane University Master of Science Degree in Materials Science and Engineering is an interdisciplinary degree that focuses on developing the deep understanding of materials modeling, processing, structure, properties, and performance required to solve complex technological problems. The program covers both “hard” and “soft” materials along with related devices. The MSE masters program provides preparation for professional practice in modern materials science for those technologists who wish to continue their education. Participating faculty are drawn from multiple materials-oriented departments in the School of Science and Engineering, including Chemistry, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Physics and Engineering Physics. This rigorous program trains graduate students to become leaders in industrial, government, and university settings. The program is flexible, allowing both full-time and part-time students, along with thesis (research component) and non-thesis (coursework only) tracks. Graduates are expected to fill the growing global demand for trained materials scientists and engineers in the twenty-first century. Graduates typically find work in a number of fields, including biotechnology and health care, defense, information technologies, manufacturing, aerospace, chemical processing, and energy.
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4+1 Accelerated Master's Program
Current Tulane undergraduate students can earn this M.S. degree with just one additional year of study. This accelerated program allows you to count graduate-level courses toward both your B.S. and M.S. degrees, providing a fast track to an advanced credential.
What You'll Learn
In this interdisciplinary program, you'll develop comprehensive expertise in the fundamentals of material structure, material properties, material processing, and material modeling. Through rigorous coursework and hands-on investigation, you'll gain a deep understanding of both "hard" materials like metals and ceramics and "soft" materials like polymers and biomaterials, along with their applications in advanced devices. You'll learn to approach materials science from multiple perspectives, drawing on expertise from chemistry, chemical and biomolecular engineering, biomedical engineering, and physics. Whether pursuing the coursework or thesis track, you'll develop the analytical, experimental, and modeling skills needed to design and optimize materials for real-world applications, preparing you for leadership roles in industrial, government, and university settings.
Research
Research is central to the Materials Science and Engineering MS program, with opportunities to investigate cutting-edge problems in material structure, properties, processing, and modeling. Students pursuing the thesis track conduct original research under the supervision of MSE faculty, contributing new knowledge to the field while developing advanced experimental and analytical skills. Research spans diverse materials systems and applications, from semiconductors and photonic materials to biomedical materials and sustainable energy materials. Faculty research encompasses material synthesis and characterization, computational materials modeling, device fabrication and testing, and applications in healthcare, defense, information technology, aerospace, and energy. Through thesis research or coursework-based projects, you'll gain hands-on experience with advanced characterization techniques and computational tools, preparing you for technical leadership in materials science and engineering.
Meet Our Faculty
Our materials science and engineering faculty bring together expertise from multiple disciplines, including chemistry, chemical and biomolecular engineering, biomedical engineering, and physics and engineering physics. Faculty members are accomplished researchers actively investigating fundamental and applied problems in materials science, from novel material synthesis and characterization to computational modeling and device applications. They are committed to mentoring graduate students through rigorous coursework and research, providing guidance that bridges fundamental science and practical engineering applications. Whether through coursework, independent study, or thesis research, our faculty create an environment where you'll develop both deep theoretical understanding and hands-on expertise in materials characterization, processing, and design.
Curriculum Requirements
Applicants may choose one of two paths: 30 credits of coursework OR 24 credits of coursework and a 6-credit written research thesis supervised by MSE faculty at Tulane. The program typically takes 3-4 semesters to complete. A full-time course load for graduate students is 9-12 credits per semester. Part-time students may take fewer credits per semester.
The thesis must be based on original research and must be approved by a committee consisting of at least three members, including the research supervisor and at least one other full-time member of the SSE faculty. One member may be from another Tulane school or other appropriate institution. In order for a student to pursue the 6-credit research thesis pathway, they must first seek approval of their research topic and thesis committee from the program Graduate Advisor, and must receive consent from each of the committee members, prior to embarking on the research thesis.
Career Benefits and Pathways
Graduates with a master's in materials science and engineering are positioned for leadership roles across diverse industries addressing critical technological challenges. Specific career opportunities include materials scientist, process engineer, research scientist, quality engineer, product development engineer, and technical consultant in fields including healthcare devices, defense systems, information technologies, semiconductor manufacturing, photonics, aerospace, energy systems, and advanced manufacturing. The program's interdisciplinary approach and focus on both fundamental science and practical applications prepare graduates for positions at major technology companies, aerospace firms, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, semiconductor companies, national laboratories, and research institutions. With growing global demand for trained materials scientists and engineers, graduates find competitive opportunities in emerging areas like sustainable materials, quantum devices, biomedical implants, and advanced energy storage systems.
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"My experience at Tulane strengthened my ability to approach complex engineering problems, communicate technical ideas clearly, and apply fundamental engineering and materials science concepts to real-world challenges, preparing me well for both industry and further educational opportunities."
FAQs
Materials science and engineering is the discipline that studies the relationships between material structure, properties, processing, and performance to design and develop new materials and optimize existing ones for specific applications. It combines fundamental science with engineering principles to create materials that enable technological advances across industries ranging from healthcare and energy to aerospace and electronics.
- Applicants from all undergraduate science and engineering majors are eligible to apply.
- Applicants must have completed at least 24 credit hours in science and engineering (3.0 GPA or higher)
- Adequate background coursework in mathematics, physics, and chemistry is essential. Applicants need to have taken an undergraduate Materials Science and Engineering course at the level of Callister, equivalent to CENG/ENGP 3120 (Materials Science and Engineering) at Tulane with a minimum grade of B.
- Applicants must submit a transcript, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and TOEFL or IELTS scores (if required)
We accept students from many foreign countries, including China and India.
The GRE General Exam is required for all applicants. The GRE Physics subject exam is strongly recommended, but not required, for applicants to the Physics Ph.D. Program. The TOEFL exam is required for all applicants who are non-native English speakers.
We have no minimum required GRE scores. We do have a minimum TOEFL score of 80. The test scores are used, along with other indicators such as GPA and recommendation letters, to make relative comparisons of applicants. We look for a complete picture in the application to find the students who we think will fit in best in our department. Test scores are just one part of that picture.
Every applicant is automatically considered for a TA, RA, or fellowship. Most admitted students are offered a TA position. Fellowships are available for exceptional applicants in the Physics program. RA positions may also be available in some research groups.
We usually receive over 100 qualified applications. Approximately 20% are offered admission.
Our staff is not able to provide individual advice or review your qualifications, other than through the admissions process. We encourage you to submit an application and assure you that every application will receive full consideration in due time.
We can accept unofficial TOEFL and GRE scores, such as photocopies of ETS score reports, at the time of your application. We will use the unofficial scores to make the admission decisions. However, if you are admitted and decide to enroll at Tulane, you will need to submit the official ETS scores.
All graduate students are required to carry health insurance, either through the Tulane plan or privately. In the Tulane plan, the student is responsible for paying a 50% portion of their health insurance, which is about $669 per semester. The School of Science and Engineering subsidizes the other 50% of the health insurance premium.
Please see the Research section of our website for a description of the research groups in our department.
Graduate students in the department receive financial assistance through teaching assistantships, research assistantships, tuition scholarships, University loans, and Louisiana Board of Regents Fellowships.
Research assistantships are provided by a student's faculty research advisor and are available at the advisor's discretion. Stipend amounts and durations are decided by the advisor, although the research assistantship is normally accompanied by a tuition waiver.
A small number of summer teaching assistantships are normally available, and are usually reserved for students with special circumstances.
Contact Us
Ilianna H. Kwaske, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for MS Programs & Professional Education
ikwaske@tulane.edu
Sarah Berry
Director of MS and Certificate Programs
smccarty@tulane.edu
Rosie Chavez
Director of Graduate Programs
rchavez@tulane.edu
Dr. Michael Naguib, Graduate Admissions Director (Materials Physics and Engineering), naguib@tulane.edu
Dr. Douglas Chrisey, Graduate Advisor (Materials Physics and Engineering), dchrisey@tulane.edu