Studies & Degrees in Materials Science
Materials Science Study Programs
Materials science studies what things are made of and why materials behave as they do. It links the internal structure of a material, the way it is processed and the properties that result, and uses that knowledge to choose or design the right material for a product. Stanford University describes the core of its programme as the structure, processing, properties and performance of all classes of materials used in engineering systems. The main classes are metals, ceramics, polymers, composites and semiconductors.
The field sits between physics, chemistry and engineering, and many departments call it materials science and engineering. A degree includes mathematics, chemistry and physics, followed by courses on the structure of materials, their mechanical, electrical and thermal behaviour, processing methods and laboratory testing. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that bachelor's programmes usually combine classroom and laboratory courses, such as calculus, chemistry, and the structure, processing and properties of materials.
Qualifications and levels
- Bachelor's degrees. In the United States the usual first degree is a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering, offered for example by Stanford University, The Pennsylvania State University and Northwestern University. Northwestern states that its bachelor's degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET and that a minor in materials science is also available. In Austria, the Montanuniversität Leoben lists Materials Science and Technology among its 13 bachelor's programmes. In Spain an official bachelor's degree (grado) has 240 ECTS credits.
- Master's degrees. Many students enter the field at master's level after a degree in physics, chemistry or engineering. The Advanced Materials MSc at Cranfield University in England takes one year full-time or up to three years part-time and has 180 credits: 80 in taught modules, 40 in a group project and 60 in an individual project. In Spain, official master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits; the Máster Universitario en Nanociencia y Tecnología de Materiales of the Universidad de Cádiz has 60 credits in one academic year, is taught in Spanish and offers 15 places.
- Doctorate. Research posts usually need more than a first degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some jobs for materials engineers, such as those in research and development, require a master's degree or Ph.D.
Where to study
SpainExchange lists 71 active schools for materials science. Almost half, 34, are in the United States, followed by the United Kingdom with 8, Spain with 5 and China with 4; New Zealand, Vietnam, Austria and Russia have 2 each. Examples in the United States are Stanford University, Northwestern University, the University of Michigan, The Ohio State University and The University of Texas at Austin. Elsewhere the list includes Cranfield University in the United Kingdom, the Montanuniversität Leoben in Austria, Fudan University and Central South University in China, the University of Wollongong in Australia and the Universidad de Cádiz in Spain.
Programmes in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia are taught in English. In other countries the language varies by level: the Montanuniversität Leoben offers master's programmes in German and in English, and the Cádiz master's is taught in Spanish. Check the language of each programme, and for engineering careers ask whether the degree is accredited in the country where you plan to work.
Careers
Materials graduates work wherever products depend on the performance of what they are made of. Penn State lists energy, medicine, sustainability, electronics, communications, transportation, aerospace, defence and infrastructure as fields its graduates enter. The Universidad de Cádiz names the aeronautical, shipbuilding and steel industries for its master's graduates, who are trained to work with metals, polymers, ceramics and biological materials.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes two related occupations. Materials engineers develop, process and test materials, and among other duties determine the causes of material failure; they typically need a bachelor's degree in materials science and engineering or a related field, and their employment is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035. Materials scientists, who usually specialise in one class of material such as ceramics, metals, polymers or semiconductors, are counted together with chemists, with projected growth of 7 percent over the same period.
Frequently asked questions
Is materials science a science degree or an engineering degree?
Both. It is built on physics and chemistry, but most programmes are taught in engineering schools as materials science and engineering, and some, such as Northwestern University's bachelor's degree, hold engineering accreditation.
Can I study materials science after a degree in physics or chemistry?
Yes. Many master's programmes are designed for graduates of related science and engineering degrees. Entry requirements differ, so check them with each university.
How long does a master's in materials science take?
One to two years. The Advanced Materials MSc at Cranfield University takes one year full-time, and the Cádiz master's has 60 ECTS credits in one academic year; official master's degrees in Spain can have up to 120 ECTS credits.
Do I need a PhD to work with materials?
No. A bachelor's degree is the typical entry requirement for materials engineers in the United States, but research and development jobs may require a master's degree or a Ph.D.