COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science program in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (MTE) is primarily structured around Plan I, the thesis option, which serves as the standard degree pathway for graduate students. Plan I emphasizes both advanced coursework and independent research, allowing students to develop deep expertise in metallurgical and materials engineering while contributing original work to the field. In exceptional circumstances, a non-thesis option (Plan II) may be approved; however, this requires prior endorsement from the student’s supervisory committee and a formal written request submitted to the department head no later than midterm of the first semester of residence, clearly explaining the justification for deviating from the thesis track. Under the standard Plan I structure, students are required to complete a total of 30 credit hours. This includes 18 credit hours of graduate-level coursework within metallurgical and materials engineering, which may cover advanced topics in materials science, thermodynamics, physical metallurgy, materials characterization, processing techniques, and mechanical behavior of materials. In addition, students complete 6 credit hours in related fields or within the major, providing flexibility to incorporate interdisciplinary study in areas such as mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, physics, or other supporting disciplines approved by the department. The remaining 6 credit hours are dedicated to MTE 599 Thesis Research, which involves conducting supervised original research under the guidance of a faculty advisor. This research component is central to the degree and requires students to identify a research problem, perform experimental or computational investigation, analyze results, and formally document findings in a thesis. The program is designed to build strong analytical, technical, and research capabilities, preparing graduates for careers in materials engineering, industrial research and development, manufacturing industries, or further doctoral study. Overall, the MTE MS Plan I ensures a balanced integration of coursework and research, equipping students with both theoretical knowledge and practical investigative experience in the field of materials engineering.