Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering
Rochester, USA
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 41,424 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* $41,424 - $54,974 | based on credits taken
Key Summary
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The material science masters explore a fascinating area of study that contributes solutions to challenges facing fields as diverse as energy, medicine, clothing, and sporting equipment. The program is designed to satisfy individual and industry needs in the rapidly growing field of materials. The materials science degree offers a serious interdisciplinary learning experience in materials studies, crossing over the traditional boundaries of such classical disciplines as chemistry, physics, and engineering.
The MS degree in materials science and engineering offered jointly by the College of Science and the Kate Gleason College of Engineering, is designed with a variety of options to satisfy individual and industry needs in the rapidly growing field of materials.
The objectives of the program are threefold:
- With the advent of new classes of materials and instruments, the traditional practice of empiricism in the search for and selection of materials is rapidly becoming obsolete. Therefore, the program offers a serious interdisciplinary learning experience in materials studies, crossing over the traditional boundaries of such classical disciplines like chemistry, physics, and electrical, mechanical, and microelectronic engineering.
- The program provides extensive experimental courses in diverse areas of materials-related studies.
- The program explores avenues for introducing greater harmony between industrial expansion and academic training.
RIT awards more than $37 million in merit scholarships and assistantships to graduate students each year. Scholarship awards range from 5% of tuition all the way up to full tuition. Awards are based on an applicant's academic excellence. Many things are considered when awarding scholarships - undergraduate grades, graduate placement test scores, and your research and work experience all factor in.
Graduate assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate Assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. Many graduate assistants also receive tuition remission (i.e., tuition support) in addition to receiving wages for assistantship duties.
Graduate students can be awarded both scholarships and assistantships. These funding opportunities are the same for both US and international applicants.
RIT awards more than $30 million in merit scholarships and assistantships to graduate students each year. Scholarship awards range from 10% - 40% of tuition. Our median scholarship amount is around 30% of tuition or $13,000. Awards are based on an applicant's academic excellence. Many things are considered when awarding scholarships - undergraduate grades, graduate placement test scores, and your research and work experience all factor in.
Graduate assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate Assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. Many graduate assistants also receive tuition remission (i.e., tuition support) in addition to receiving wages for assistantship duties.
Graduate students can be awarded both scholarships and assistantships. These funding opportunities are the same for both US and international applicants.
Optional Co-Op
Cooperative education is paid work assignments with corporations and organizations around the U.S. and abroad. Co-op allows students to spend one or more semesters employed in a full-time, paid position related to their academic program before they graduate. Many students use co-op earnings to help finance their education.
Work-Study
Graduate students studying full-time may apply to work part-time on campus. RIT has more than 9,000 jobs available yearly, and students typically work 10 – 20 hours per week. International students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa may work up to 20 hours per week on campus and 40 hours during break periods.
A minimum of 30 credit hours is required to complete the program. This includes three required core courses, graduate electives, and either a thesis or project. The core courses are specially designed to establish a common base of materials-oriented knowledge for students with baccalaureate degrees in chemistry, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, and related disciplines, providing a new intellectual identity to those involved in the study of materials.
The program has an emphasis on experimental techniques, with one required experimental course as part of the core. Additional experimental courses are available for students who wish to pursue course work in this area. These courses are organized into appropriate units covering many aspects of the analysis of materials. This aspect of the program enhances a student’s confidence when dealing with materials-related problems.
Materials Science and Engineering (thesis option), MS degree, typical course sequence
First Year
- MTSE-601 Materials Science
- MTSE-704 Theoretical Methods in Materials Science and Engineering
- MTSE-705 Experimental Techniques
- MTSE-790 Research & Thesis
- Graduate Electives
Second Year
- MTSE-790 Research & Thesis
Materials Science and Engineering (project option), MS degree, typical course sequence
First Year
- MTSE-601 Materials Science
- MTSE-704 Theoretical Methods in Materials Science and Engineering
- MTSE-705 Experimental Techniques
- MTSE-777 Graduate Project
- Graduate Electives
Second Year
- MTSE-777 Graduate Project
- Graduate Electives
Electives
Elective courses may be selected from advanced courses offered by the School of Chemistry and Materials Science or, upon approval, from courses offered by other RIT graduate programs. Elective courses are scheduled on a periodic basis. Transfer credit may be awarded based on academic background beyond the bachelor’s degree or by examination, based on experience.
Thesis/Project
Students may choose to complete a thesis or a project as a conclusion to their program. Students who pursue the thesis option take four graduate electives, complete nine credit hours of research, and produce a thesis paper. The project option includes six graduate electives and a 3 credit hour project.
Industries
- Scientific and Technical Consulting
- Manufacturing