M.S. in Material Science & Engineering

Program Overview

The M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering is a 30-credit degree program, typically completed within 1.5 to 2 years. The curriculum is structured to ensure students gain an advanced understanding of the foundations of materials science and engineering, including multi-scale structure, mass transport, thermodynamics, and mathematical basics within the processing-structure-properties-performance paradigm. Students are required to complete more than three out of four core courses, a specific seminar course (MT 650), and five to six elective courses, which can include up to six credits of research. The program also offers concentrations in Materials Science and Engineering, Materials Technology for Energy and Sustainability, and an interdisciplinary Nanotechnology option, allowing for specialized learning paths. Stevens also offers both on-campus and online study modes for flexibility.

STEM-designated: Yes, the Stevens Institute of Technology M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering program is STEM-designated. This is a significant advantage, particularly for international students. The STEM designation makes them eligible for a 24-month extension of their Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the United States, allowing for a total of up to three years of valuable post-graduation work experience. This designation clearly reflects the program's rigorous scientific, engineering, and quantitative focus, which is highly valued by employers in advanced manufacturing, research, and development.

Curriculum: The 30-credit curriculum builds a deep understanding of materials science. Core courses typically cover topics such as Thermodynamics of Materials, Structure and Diffraction, Principles of Inorganic Materials, Soft Matter Physics, and Mechanical Behavior of Solids. The specific MT 650 course focuses on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Materials Science and Engineering, providing valuable business context. Elective courses allow for specialization in areas relevant to the chosen concentration. For instance, the Materials Technology for Energy and Sustainability concentration would involve courses focusing on sustainable energy applications. The curriculum emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to predicting, designing, fabricating, and characterizing materials using fundamental scientific and engineering principles and modern experimental and analytical tools.

Research Focus: The M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering program at Stevens has a strong research focus, with faculty members actively engaged in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research. The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science fosters a technology-centric research environment, addressing significant problems related to sustainability and healthcare. Research areas include, but are not limited to, inorganic material synthesis and crystal engineering for sustainable energy, multi-scale modeling and simulation, nanophotonics and fiber optics, polymer synthesis, characterization, and processing, reaction engineering, and tissue and cancer engineering, as well as materials for sustainable energy applications. Students have ample opportunities to engage in hands-on research in state-of-the-art laboratories and centers, often contributing to projects funded by prominent agencies.

Industry Engagement: Stevens Institute of Technology places a very high priority on industry engagement for its Materials Science and Engineering program. Its location, just 15 minutes from downtown Manhattan, provides students with exceptional networking and professional opportunities within academia and industry, including nearby Fortune 500 companies. The curriculum is designed to equip graduates with in-demand knowledge and skills, ensuring they can adapt to rapidly evolving technologies like generative AI. Faculty members are often recognized experts with industry experience, and the department actively collaborates with organizations through research partnerships and offers opportunities for hands-on learning through projects and internships. The program boasts a 100% employment rate within three months of graduation for its Class of 2023, with a mean compensation of $80,000, underscoring its strong industry relevance.

Global Perspective: Stevens Institute of Technology fosters a global perspective within its M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering program through its diverse student population and the international nature of materials science research and application. The university attracts students from around the world, creating a multicultural learning environment that enriches classroom discussions with varied insights and approaches to global materials challenges. The skills gained, such as designing materials for desired functionality and performance characteristics or predicting material behavior, are universally applicable across international markets and industries, from advanced manufacturing to sustainable energy solutions. This global outlook, coupled with the program's robust technical foundation, prepares graduates to contribute to materials innovation and problem-solving on an international scale.