The world is experiencing a materials revolution, and materials scientists and engineers have the unique opportunity to play a vital role in it.

Materials science engineers explore materials' scientific fundamentals, design, and processing for real-world applications. They apply the basic principles of chemistry and physics to understand the structure and properties of materials. They design processes to manipulate materials to meet the needs of modern technology.

Materials make up everything around us! As such, the problems we try to solve are far-reaching. We work with a diverse set of materials ranging from metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites. We apply them in various industries, including energy, transportation, tissue engineering, drug delivery, construction, nanotechnology, and more. We use a range of processes to make the materials from organic and polymer synthesis, additive manufacturing, coating, evaporation, machine learning, and beyond.

Materials scientists and engineers are at the center of developing the next generation of materials and material systems that will power modern innovations. Materials scientists and engineers are developing devices to detect cancer in its early stages, inventing better batteries for electric vehicles, creating plant-based materials, contributing to quantum computing and much more.

How do we develop advanced materials to make structures such as aircraft and automobiles stronger, cheaper, and more fuel-efficient?

How can we create novel energy storage nanostructures to improve fuel cells, batteries, super-capacitors and power grids?

Can we develop computational tools to predict and control complex materials synthesis and structures?

How can we use 3D printing to meet growing manufacturing demands?

How can we close the carbon cycle with biomass?

Can we engineer better materials for medical devices and disease detection? 

Materials scientists and engineers find employment in a wide range of industries. An average starting salary for recent graduates was $75k. Typical starting titles include Materials Engineer, Process Engineer, and Manufacturing Engineer.

Aerospace Materials testing, manufacturing, processes, physics, coatings and finishes
Notable employers: Aerojet Rocketdyne, Boeing, Blue Origin, Crane Aerospace, Honeywell, LMI Aerospace, Janicki Industries, NASA, Space X, U.S. Air Force.

Computing, data and digital technologies Data science, data analytics, materials simulation modeling, software development
Notable employers: Apple, AT&T, HCL Technologies, Infosys, Intel, Micron, Microsoft, Shin-Etsu America, The Spur Group.

Environment, sustainability and energy Clean energy development, waste management.
Notable employers: Cupertino Electric, Microsoft, nLIGHT, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Sedron Technologies, Washington Clean Energy Testbeds.

Health and medicine Medical devices, tissue engineering, health research and development
Notable employers: Cardiac Dimensions, EKOS Corporation, NanoString Technologies, Neoleukin Therapeutics, nLIGHT, Rocket Science Health, UW School of Medicine.

Infrastructure, transportation and society Airplanes, submarines, sporting goods and fabrics
Notable employers: Crane Currency, PNNL, Promethean, Samsung Electronics, Uphill Designs, W.L. Gore.

Robotics and manufacturing Product development, materials manufacturing and processes, failure analysis, 3D printing.
Notable employers: Boeing, Fluke Corporation, Honeywell, General Dynamics, Intel.

 
Small class sizes and hands-on learning

UW MSE students enjoy the highest undergraduate to faculty member ratio among peer departments nationwide.

 
Ground-breaking, innovative research

MSE researchers have reported 98 inventions, have had 36 patents issued, and have launched 7 startup companies.

 
Curriculum built for industry readiness

Students can choose to study within our concentration areas: biomedical materials, data science, electronic/optical materials, energy/environment materials, manufacturing and industry, and structural materials.