Materials Science and Engineering

Materials Science and Engineering (MS&E) is concerned with the creation of materials with novel properties and their use in a variety of fields ranging from ultra-fast computer chips and high-efficiency solar cells to high-powered jets, and even beauty products. This program prepares graduates for a variety of careers in fields such as nanotechnology, electronics, computing, the biomedical, automotive and aerospace industries, as well as government agencies and research laboratories.

Requirements

Applicants must complete a rigorous college preparatory program that includes the following academic subject requirements:

• History/Social Science: 2 years
• English/Language of School Instruction: 4 years
• Mathematics: 3 years (4 years recommended)
• Laboratory Science: 2 years (3 years recommended)
• Foreign Language (English must be the foreign language studied if it was not the language of instruction.): 2 years (3 years recommended)
• Visual and Performing Arts: 1 year
• College-Preparatory Elective: 1 year

UC Riverside is aware that not all educational systems include academic courses in these areas, which will be taken into consideration during the application review.

• The applicant must earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale, equivalent to an 85 percent on a 100 percent scale. The assessment of a qualifying GPA is based on “a-g” courses completed in 10th and 11th grades.
• If the secondary school offers a different curriculum, the applicant’s academic achievement will be based on that educational system’s grading scale.
• The ACT with Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test must be taken no later than December of the final year of secondary school.

English Language Proficiency

If English is not the applicant’s native language, or the language of instruction at the applicant’s school, then they must demonstrate English proficiency through one of the following options:

• Pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 80 or higher (iBT).
• Pass the International English Testing Language System (IELTS) with a score of 6.5 or higher.
• Achieve a score of 560 or higher on the “Writing” section of the SAT Reasoning Test.
• Achieve a score of 3, 4 or 5 on the AP Exam in English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition.
• Achieve a score of 5, 6 or 7 on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level Examination in English (Language A).
• Complete a transferable college course in English Composition with a C grade or better.

Also

• Academic records
• Test scores
• Estimated household income (optional)
• Citizenship status
• Application payment method

Answer Personal Insight Questions

• The personal insight questions are an opportunity for applicants to tell us about themselves in their own words, and an opportunity for us to get to know them better.
• Freshmen must answer four out of eight questions.
• Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
• Applicants should draft their answers in a word processing program first, then copy and paste them into the UC application. (Applicants are automatically logged out of the UC application after 30 minutes.)
• The personal insight questions are just one part that we consider when making our admission decision. The important thing is that applicants express who they are, what matters to them and what they want to share with UCR!

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Scholarships

• Regents Scholarship
• Chancellor’s Scholarship
• Highlander Excellence Scholarship