M.S. in Aerospace Engineering
The M.S. in Aerospace Engineering at UCF is a 30-credit hour program, typically complet...
M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering
Orlando, Florida
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering (MSMSE) at UCF is structured to delve deep into the relationship between material structure, processing, properties, and performance. The program is suitable for students holding a bachelor's degree in materials science and engineering or a closely related discipline, such as physics, chemistry, or other engineering fields. It requires a minimum of 30 graduate-level credit hours and offers both thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis option typically involves 24 credit hours of coursework and 6 credit hours of thesis research, culminating in a thesis defense. The non-thesis option focuses solely on coursework, often including a culminating project. The program emphasizes an "education through research" approach, providing students with scientific competency and polished professionalism.
Curriculum: The MSMSE curriculum at UCF is designed to provide a strong core understanding of materials while allowing for specialization. Required core courses typically include "Metallurgical Thermodynamics," "Materials Kinetics," "Physical Metallurgy," and "Mechanical Behavior of Materials." Students can also choose from specialized areas like "Polymer Science and Engineering" or "Colloids and Interface Engineering," among others. The curriculum offers a wide variety of courses that cover topics such as advanced characterization techniques (e.g., X-Ray Diffraction, Transmission Electron Microscopy), nanomaterials, biomaterials, materials stability and degradation, high-temperature materials and coatings, and electronic, optical, and magnetic materials. Students are encouraged to take courses from related disciplines like physics, chemistry, or mechanical engineering to complement their research interests.
Research Focus: Research is a cornerstone of the MSMSE program at UCF, with faculty members actively engaged in a wide range of sponsored research projects funded by local and national industry partners, as well as government agencies. The program is closely associated with the Advanced Materials Processing and Analysis Center (AMPAC), a state-of-the-art facility supporting groundbreaking materials research. Key research areas include: crystal growth, high-temperature materials and coatings, multicomponent interdiffusion, material stability and degradation, shape memory alloys, mechanical behavior, magnetic and optical and electronic materials, thin films, solar cells, sensors, ceramics, powder metallurgy, non-equilibrium processing of materials, and nano synthesis and consolidation. This extensive research focus allows students to contribute to the discovery and development of advanced materials for various applications.
Industry Engagement: UCF's Materials Science and Engineering program maintains robust connections with industry, which is crucial for preparing graduates for direct entry into the workforce. The department actively works with faculty members who are involved in sponsored research funded by both local and national industry partners. This close contact with key personnel from local industries, including major players like NASA, Siemens, and General Electric, provides graduates with solid avenues for future employment opportunities. Many alumni find positions at leading organizations such as Kismet Technologies, the NASA Glenn Research Center, Orthomerica Products, and Soarce. The emphasis on hands-on research using state-of-the-art facilities also ensures that students gain practical skills highly valued by employers in sectors like automotive, aerospace, microelectronics, and energy.
Global Perspective: A global perspective is an intrinsic element of UCF's M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, reflecting the international nature of scientific discovery and technological advancement. The development and application of new materials often involve international collaborations and address global challenges in areas like sustainable energy, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical technologies. UCF, as a large university with a diverse student body and faculty from around the world, fosters a multicultural learning environment that exposes students to global viewpoints and methodologies. The program's research on topics such as new energy materials, quantum dynamics, and functional nanomaterials has implications that extend beyond national borders, preparing graduates to contribute to and lead in a globally interconnected materials science community.
Location
Orlando, Florida
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 21603
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $31
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 80 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 120.
The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals. These scholarships aim to ease the financial burden and recognize the outstanding achievements and potential of students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UCF provides merit-based scholarships for international students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, leadership qualities, and extracurricular involvement. These scholarships are highly competitive and can significantly reduce tuition costs. Some notable merit scholarships include the Global Knight Scholarship, which is awarded to high-achieving international freshmen based on GPA and standardized test scores.
Need-Based Financial Aid: While need-based financial aid is more limited for international students at UCF compared to domestic students, some resources may be available through external scholarship programs or private organizations. UCF encourages international students to explore scholarships offered by their home countries or international foundations.
College-Specific Scholarships: Several colleges within UCF offer scholarships tailored to students pursuing specific fields of study. For example, the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Business Administration have dedicated scholarships that international students can apply for based on merit, research potential, or career interests.
Graduate Scholarships and Assistantships: International graduate students at UCF have access to various funding options, including research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and graduate fellowships. These positions often provide tuition waivers and stipends, allowing students to gain valuable professional experience while funding their education.
A Master of Science (M.S.) in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Central Florida (UCF) provides graduates with a deep understanding of how materials are made, how they behave, and how they can be manipulated to create new and improved technologies. This interdisciplinary field is crucial for innovation across virtually all engineering sectors, making UCF graduates highly adaptable and sought after in various industries.
Materials Engineer: This is a broad and fundamental role where graduates work on designing, testing, and selecting materials for specific applications. They investigate the properties of various materials (metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, semiconductors) and ensure they meet design and performance criteria for products in industries like aerospace, automotive, electronics, and medical devices.
Research Scientist (Materials): Often found in corporate R&D departments, government laboratories (like NASA, national labs), or academic institutions, these scientists conduct fundamental and applied research to discover new materials, understand their behavior at the atomic level, and develop innovative processing techniques.
Process Engineer (Materials Manufacturing): Focused on optimizing the manufacturing processes for various materials. They work to improve efficiency, reduce costs, enhance quality, and ensure the consistent production of materials for specific applications, often in industries like plastics, metals, or semiconductors.
Failure Analysis Engineer: These specialists investigate why materials, products, or components fail. They use advanced characterization techniques to pinpoint the root cause of failure (e.g., fatigue, corrosion, fracture) and provide recommendations to prevent future incidents, crucial for product reliability and safety.
Corrosion Engineer: Specializing in the prevention and control of corrosion in materials and structures. They design protective coatings, select corrosion-resistant alloys, and implement strategies to extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure and components in industries like oil and gas, infrastructure, and chemical processing.
Product Development Engineer: Collaborating with design teams, these engineers select appropriate materials for new products, develop prototypes, conduct extensive testing, and ensure that the chosen materials meet required specifications for performance, cost, and manufacturability.
Quality Assurance/Control Engineer (Materials): Ensuring that materials and manufactured components meet strict quality standards. They develop and implement testing protocols, analyze material properties, and establish quality control measures throughout the production lifecycle.
Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Specialist: With expertise in materials, graduates can excel in the rapidly growing field of additive manufacturing. They work on developing new materials suitable for 3D printing, optimizing printing processes, and designing components to leverage the unique capabilities of additive manufacturing.
Biomaterials Engineer: Specializing in the development and application of materials for medical devices, implants, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering. This interdisciplinary role combines materials science with biology and medicine to create biocompatible and functional materials.
Computational Materials Scientist: These professionals use advanced computational tools and simulations to model and predict the behavior and properties of materials at various scales. They design new materials virtually, accelerate materials discovery, and optimize material performance before physical experimentation.
