Materials Science and Engineering, MS

Program Description

Materials Science and Engineering combines engineering with chemistry and physics and prepares graduates to apply science and engineering principles to problems related to the understanding, characterization, and development of new technology for the processing and manufacturing of advanced materials and related products. The MS in MSE program prepares graduates for entry into materials related industrial institutions in a research or other technically oriented capacity.

Students with a baccalaureate degree in any branch of engineering, as well as chemistry, physics and biology majors with strong mathematical backgrounds, may be admitted to the program.

Coursework leading to the MS is planned to produce engineers and scientists with specialization coupled with a broad foundation in all materials. Both a thesis and a non-thesis option are available, and the program is offered either in person or via hybrid delivery.

Additional information is available at https://www.clemson.edu/cecas/departments/mse/.

Summary of Degree Requirements

This degree requires a minimum of 30 credits.

Thesis Option

The MS thesis option requires a minimum of 24 credit hours of non-research coursework and a minimum of six hours of thesis research.

Non-Thesis Option

The MS non-thesis option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of non-research coursework.

Coursework

Thesis Option

Core Courses

Six of the eight courses must be selected from MSE graduate-level courses by the student in consultation with their adviser and advisory committee members. Of the six MSE courses, three are required courses outlined below.

Required Coursework:

• MSE 8100 - Fundamentals of Materials Science 3 Credits  

• One course selected from the following:

  • MSE 8190 - Inorganic Materials Characterization Techniques 4 Credits 
  • MSE 8260 - Phase Equilibria in Materials Systems 3 Credits  
  • MSE 8270 - Kinetics of Phase Transformation 3 Credits  
  • MSE 8400 - Analytical Methods for Organic Materials 4 Credits  
• One additional 8000-level MSE course

Non-Thesis Option

All MS non-thesis students take the following:

• MSE 8100 - Fundamentals of Materials Science 3 Credits  
• Nine additional courses of their choosing with a majority of the total courses at the 8000 level and a majority of the total courses in the MSE department.