Materials Science and Engineering (MSMSE)

The Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering program is primarily for students with bachelor's degrees in Materials Science and Engineering or a closely related discipline.

Fields of emphasis and research for materials science and engineering include crystal growth, high temperature materials and coatings, multicomponent interdiffusion, material stability and degradation, shape memory alloys, mechanical behavior, magnetic and optical and electronic materials, thin films, solar cells, sensors, ceramics, powder metallurgy, non-equilibrium processing of materials, nano synthesis and consolidation, nanomaterials including quantum dots nanowires and nanocomposites, biomaterials, and electrochemically active materials.

The Materials Science and Engineering MSMSE program offers both thesis and nonthesis options with each requiring a minimum of 30 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. In general, the program includes 12-15 credit hours of required courses with the remaining courses being electives except for at least six credit hours of thesis work for students in the thesis option.

Total Credit Hours Required: 30 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree

Please note: Materials Science and Engineering (MSMSE) may be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.

International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit UCF Global. If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at (407) 823-2337.

UCF is not authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in some states. Refer to State Restrictions for current information.

Program Prerequisites

A bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering or a closely related discipline.

Prerequisites (or equivalent)

• Mathematics through Differential Equations (MAP 2302 )
• Structure and Properties of Materials (EGN 3365 )
• Mechanics of Materials (EGN 3331) or Thermodynamics (EGN 3343 )
• Experimental Techniques in Mechanics and Materials (EMA 3012C)

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines

Financial Information

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Fellowship Information

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.

The thesis option is primarily for those students who can devote a full-time effort to completing an independent research project that leads to a thesis. A student pursuing the thesis option may not register for thesis credit hours until an advisory committee has been appointed and the committee has reviewed the program of study and the proposed thesis topic.

The nonthesis option is primarily designed for part-time and online students and requires 30 credit hours of coursework. In addition, students pursuing the nonthesis option are required to take EMA 6096 - Research Methods in Materials Science and Engineering or EMA 6918 Directed Research as part of their 30-credit-hour course requirement to demonstrate their ability to perform independently in research conditions. See the MSE program director for specific details.

All students are expected to identify an adviser and file an official degree program of study prior to the completion of 9 credit hours of study. All programs of study must consist of at least 24 credit hours of required and elective courses, exclusive of thesis and research. At least half of the credit hours in a program of study must be at the 6000 level. The appropriate program of study form can be found at the program website listed above and students should consult with the MSE program director for assistance in filling out the program of study form and approval. Substitutions to the program of study must meet with the approval of the adviser and the MSE program director.

A student with an undergraduate degree outside of the materials science and engineering discipline is required to satisfy an articulation program and may have to take additional prerequisite courses.

Students in the Materials Science and Engineering MSMSE program pay $17 per semester for equipment each semester that they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $8.50 per semester.

The Independent Learning Requirement is met by successful completion of a master's thesis or EMA 6096 - Research Methods in Materials Science and Engineering or EMA 6918 Directed Research for nonthesis students.