COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) requires the completion of at least 30 graduate-level credits, combining core courses, electives, and a research-focused dissertation to ensure both technical depth and scholarly rigor. Students must complete at least three of the five 4-credit MSE core graduate courses, which include Advanced Thermodynamics, Advanced Mechanical Properties, Advanced Structure and Bonding, Advanced Electronic Properties, and Advanced Kinetics, providing a strong foundation in key areas of materials science. In addition, at least six elective credits must be selected from 6000-level MSE department courses, while any remaining credits may be fulfilled through 6000-level courses offered by the School of Engineering or the School of Science, allowing for interdisciplinary exploration. The M.S. degree also requires a minimum of six and a maximum of nine dissertation credits, reflecting independent, original research conducted under faculty supervision. All elective course selections must be approved in advance by the student’s academic adviser and the graduate curriculum coordinator to ensure alignment with program goals. Prior to graduation, students must complete a written thesis documenting their research findings and present an oral presentation to the scientific community, which may take the form of a seminar at RPI, a workshop talk, or a conference presentation. This combination of coursework, research, and scholarly communication prepares graduates for advanced professional practice or further doctoral study in materials science and engineering.