COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science (MS) in Materials Engineering at Wichita State University is a flexible, course-based graduate program designed to allow students to tailor their studies toward specialized career goals in advanced materials, manufacturing, and engineering design. The curriculum requires a minimum of 33 credit hours, structured so that students complete at least 9 credit hours (three courses) from a defined set of core materials-focused engineering courses, along with 24 additional credit hours selected from a combination of core and technical elective offerings. The core course options span a wide range of interdisciplinary topics such as composite materials, biomaterials, nanotechnology, additive manufacturing, polymer engineering, and materials selection for design, allowing students to build foundational expertise in modern materials science applications. Technical electives further expand depth in areas like fracture mechanics, corrosion science, electronic materials, molecular simulations, tissue engineering, and advanced mechanics, enabling students to specialize according to their professional interests in aerospace, biomedical, energy, or manufacturing industries. The program does not require a comprehensive exit examination, making it a fully course-based master’s degree that emphasizes applied knowledge and flexibility in academic planning. A distinctive feature of the program is its applied learning requirement, which ensures that students gain hands-on experience through practical coursework, research activities, internships, or professional engagement opportunities. Students may satisfy this requirement by completing designated applied learning courses such as advanced composites, nanomaterials, or rapid prototyping, or through cooperative education experiences, internships, or directed projects approved by faculty advisors. Additionally, students may present their work at academic or professional venues such as research symposia, engineering open houses, or professional society meetings, or earn relevant industry certifications to fulfill applied learning expectations. This structure ensures that graduates not only understand theoretical materials engineering concepts but also develop practical, industry-relevant skills that prepare them for roles in research and development, product design, advanced manufacturing, and materials analysis across sectors. The program’s flexibility and strong emphasis on experiential learning make it especially suitable for engineers seeking to advance into specialized technical roles or transition into innovative materials-focused industries.The Master of Science (MS) in Materials Engineering at Wichita State University is a flexible, course-based graduate program designed to allow students to tailor their studies toward specialized career goals in advanced materials, manufacturing, and engineering design. The curriculum requires a minimum of 33 credit hours, structured so that students complete at least 9 credit hours (three courses) from a defined set of core materials-focused engineering courses, along with 24 additional credit hours selected from a combination of core and technical elective offerings. The core course options span a wide range of interdisciplinary topics such as composite materials, biomaterials, nanotechnology, additive manufacturing, polymer engineering, and materials selection for design, allowing students to build foundational expertise in modern materials science applications. Technical electives further expand depth in areas like fracture mechanics, corrosion science, electronic materials, molecular simulations, tissue engineering, and advanced mechanics, enabling students to specialize according to their professional interests in aerospace, biomedical, energy, or manufacturing industries. The program does not require a comprehensive exit examination, making it a fully course-based master’s degree that emphasizes applied knowledge and flexibility in academic planning. A distinctive feature of the program is its applied learning requirement, which ensures that students gain hands-on experience through practical coursework, research activities, internships, or professional engagement opportunities. Students may satisfy this requirement by completing designated applied learning courses such as advanced composites, nanomaterials, or rapid prototyping, or through cooperative education experiences, internships, or directed projects approved by faculty advisors. Additionally, students may present their work at academic or professional venues such as research symposia, engineering open houses, or professional society meetings, or earn relevant industry certifications to fulfill applied learning expectations. This structure ensures that graduates not only understand theoretical materials engineering concepts but also develop practical, industry-relevant skills that prepare them for roles in research and development, product design, advanced manufacturing, and materials analysis across sectors. The program’s flexibility and strong emphasis on experiential learning make it especially suitable for engineers seeking to advance into specialized technical roles or transition into innovative materials-focused industries.