University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – The Grainger College of Engineering

Master of Science in Materials Science & Engineering

Degree Requirements

By default, applications to the M.S. degree program in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering will be considered for the non-thesis option. Admission to the M.S. degree program with a thesis option is only considered upon request of a faculty member on behalf of the applicant.

M.S. Non-Thesis

• 36 credit hours (approximately 8-10 courses + department colloquium and seminar courses).
• Opportunity to complete the degree in as few as 3 semesters.

M.S. with Thesis

• 32 credit hours.
• Successful completion of a thesis.

Tailor Your Courses

You'll have an exceptional and flexible curriculum with the ability to tailor your courses to your goals. Examples of curriculum concentrations include:

• Materials characterization
• Data-driven materials science
• Manufacturing/nanofabrication/synthesis
• Energy and sustainability

Independent Study Opportunities

Work beside world-class faculty research groups and enjoy access to our state-of-the-art facilities equipped with more than 60,000 square feet of laboratory space.

#6 Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Program

#7 Overall Engineering Graduate Program

(U.S. News & World Report, 2025)

Gain knowledge and experiences that will help pave the way to positions in renowned companies, national laboratories, or top Ph.D. programs. Our graduates receive an average of 2 or more job offers following graduation.

Sample employer destinations:

• Intel
• Alcon
• Amazon Web Services
• BASF Corporation
• Corning
• IBM
• Lockheed Martin
• Los Alamos National Laboratory
• Micron Technology

Sample Ph.D. destinations:

• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• University of California
• University of Michigan