Master of Social Work - Traditional
The traditional Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University at Buffalo is des...
M.S. in Materials Design and Innovation
Buffalo, New York
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.S. in Materials Design and Innovation at UB is a 30-credit hour program, typically completed within 1.5 to 2 years for full-time students. It aims to equip individuals with disciplinary knowledge and expertise in both materials science and data science. Students are trained to have interdisciplinary perspectives and acquire the necessary skills and tools to understand and apply computational methods for modeling, simulation, and informatics, alongside experimental-driven science. The program prepares graduates to contribute significantly to and accelerate the development of new materials and advanced manufacturing.
STEM Designated: Yes, the M.S. in Materials Design and Innovation program at the University at Buffalo is STEM-designated. This is a crucial advantage for international students, as it allows for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension of 24 months beyond the initial 12 months, totaling up to 36 months of work authorization in the U.S. after graduation. This designation underscores the program's rigorous scientific, technical, and analytical curriculum, which is vital for innovation in materials science.
Curriculum: The 30-credit curriculum for the M.S. in Materials Design and Innovation provides a unique blend of traditional materials science foundations and modern data science techniques. Compulsory courses in the first fall semester typically include "Introduction to Materials Design and Informatics," "Quant Structure-Property Relationship in Materials," "Thermodynamics and Molecular Structure of Materials," and "Multivariate Statistics and Materials Informatics." Spring compulsory courses often cover "Computational Materials Chemistry and Physics," "Kinetics, Microstructure, and Defects," "Quantitative Methods in Materials Characterization," and "Experimental Design for Materials Development." This structure ensures students acquire operational skills in statistics and data mining methods as applied to materials science, along with computational methods for analyzing experimental and simulation data.
Research Focus: The M.S. in Materials Design and Innovation at UB emphasizes a data-driven perspective of materials discovery and design, establishing a new paradigm for materials science research by harnessing information and data science tools. The department focuses on cutting-edge research to accelerate solutions addressing a broad range of societal issues, including advanced manufacturing and biosciences/technology. Research areas include materials informatics, advanced computing methods, machine learning for materials engineering, and integrated "atoms to device" experimental development. Faculty engage in interdisciplinary research, from predicting band gaps with neural networks to developing autonomous research robots for materials.
Industry Engagement: The M.S. in Materials Design and Innovation program at UB is designed to produce graduates prepared for a wide range of technologies, including microelectronics, aerospace, biotechnology, energy, data analytics, and software sectors. The interdisciplinary training prepares students for various professional opportunities. UB's NYS Center of Excellence in Materials Informatics (CMI) actively leverages the university's expertise to drive innovation and R&D activities directly impacting private sector growth. CMI addresses industry's materials science challenges through research and innovation, fostering entrepreneurship and facilitating industry-focused workforce development programs, ensuring that graduates are well-connected to current industry needs and opportunities.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Materials Design and Innovation at UB inherently fosters a global perspective by addressing the universal need for new materials and processes that impact a broad range of technological applications worldwide. The program's emphasis on data-driven discovery and design, and its interdisciplinary nature, prepare students to contribute to global scientific and technological advancements. As a major public research university, UB attracts a diverse international student body and faculty, enriching the learning environment with varied cultural viewpoints and different approaches to solving complex materials challenges from around the world. This exposure prepares graduates to work effectively in multinational teams and contribute to global innovation in materials science and engineering.
Location
Buffalo, New York
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 28210
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 90 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 61 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 120.
The University at Buffalo (UB) offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically aimed at supporting international students who wish to pursue their studies in the United States. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, helping to make education more affordable for talented students worldwide.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UB provides competitive merit scholarships to outstanding international undergraduate and graduate students. Awards such as the International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship recognize high-achieving students based on their academic records, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement.
Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships: Graduate international students can apply for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships which offer tuition remission and stipends. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable teaching and research experience while offsetting the cost of their education.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UB offer scholarships tailored to students in specific programs or fields of study. These awards may consider academic merit, research interests, or financial need.
External Scholarships: UB encourages international students to explore external scholarship options from private organizations, governments, and international foundations that support study in the U.S. The university’s International Student Services office provides guidance on identifying and applying for such funding sources.
Graduates with an M.S. in Materials Design and Innovation from UB are highly competitive for cutting-edge roles that blend materials science with data science and advanced engineering across diverse industries.
Computational Materials Scientist: Use computer simulations and modeling techniques, often leveraging materials informatics, to predict and understand the behavior and properties of new and existing materials.
Materials Data Scientist/Analyst: Apply data science techniques to analyze large datasets generated in materials research and development, extracting insights and making data-driven decisions for materials design and optimization.
Materials Engineer: Evaluate and develop materials for use in products across industries like aerospace, automotive, electronics, and medical devices, focusing on meeting specialized design and performance criteria.
Product Development Engineer (Materials): Design and optimize materials for specific products or applications, working with design teams to select materials, develop prototypes, and ensure specifications are met.
Research Scientist (Materials Science): Conduct fundamental and applied research in academic institutions, national laboratories, or corporate R&D divisions to discover new materials, properties, and processing techniques.
Process Engineer (Advanced Materials): Develop, optimize, and control manufacturing processes for advanced and novel materials, focusing on efficiency, quality, and scalability.
Quality Assurance Specialist (Materials): Implement and manage quality control systems for materials production, ensuring that materials meet specified standards and performance requirements.
Additive Manufacturing Engineer (3D Printing): Specialize in the design, development, and processing of materials for additive manufacturing, optimizing material properties for 3D printed components.
Failure Analysis Engineer (Materials): Investigate material failures in products or components to determine root causes, often using advanced characterization techniques, to improve material reliability.
Technical Sales Engineer (Materials): Provide technical expertise and solutions for materials-related products and services to clients, bridging the gap between technical capabilities and customer needs.
