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The Tulane University Master of Science Degree in Materials Science and Engineering is an interdisciplinary degree that focuses on the fundamentals of material structure, material properties, material processing, and material modeling that are required to solve complex technological problems found in basic and applied sciences. The program covers both “hard” and “soft” materials along with related devices. The MSE degree program provides preparation for professional practice in modern materials science for those engineers 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. Graduates are expected to fill the growing global demand for trained materials scientists and engineers in the twenty-first century. The program is flexible and can be tailored to upward mobility in individual careers. Graduates typically find work in a number of fields including health care, defense, information technologies, manufacturing, aerospace, energy, semiconductors, and photonics.
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, if completed, 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.
The required coursework for the Tulane MSE Master’s degree consists of four courses:
The remaining coursework (six courses for non-thesis students or four courses for students pursuing the thesis option) consists of graduate electives in science and engineering as approved by the program’s Advisory Committee.
Students interested in technology entrepreneurship and commercialization may take one of the following courses to fulfill one of their electives:
Other SSE courses, including ones designated as BMEN, CENG, CHEM, COSC, MATH, and PHYS, may be suitable electives for MSE Master’s students, with approval from the Advisory Committee.
MSE Masters students will pay the tuition rate listed under Graduate and Professional Programs of the School of Science & Engineering at the below link
A GPA of 3.0 is required for the degree to be conferred. Courses receiving less than B- will contribute no credit toward the Master’s degree requirements.
Please use the Online Application System to apply for the program. The application deadlines are May 15th for Fall admission and October 15th for Spring admission.
Please contact Prof. Doug Chrisey, or any member of the MSE Master’s Program Advisory Committee, if you have questions about the program.
In addition to the above requirements: