Materials Science Engineering

Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary program dedicated to exploring the fundamental properties, structure, and processing of materials, as well as their practical applications in technology and industry. The curriculum integrates principles from physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering to prepare students for innovative research and development in fields such as nanotechnology, biomaterials, metallurgy, polymers, ceramics, and electronic materials. Students gain hands-on laboratory experience and engage in cutting-edge research projects alongside leading faculty members, fostering a deep understanding of the relationship between material structure at the atomic and molecular levels and their macroscopic properties. The program emphasizes the importance of sustainability, advanced manufacturing techniques, and the design of new materials to solve real-world problems. Graduates are equipped with the technical expertise and problem-solving skills necessary for careers in academia, industry, and research institutions, where they can contribute to advances in technology, healthcare, energy, and environmental solutions. The program also offers opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, entrepreneurship, and participation in state-of-the-art laboratories and innovation hubs on campus, ensuring students are well-prepared to meet the challenges of modern materials science. With its rigorous coursework, research opportunities, and a vibrant academic community, Stanford’s Materials Science and Engineering program aims to develop leaders who will shape the future of materials technology and contribute significantly to societal progress.

Degree requirements are as follows:

1. A minimum of 30 units of Materials Science and Engineering (MATSCI) course work, including core and lab courses specified below, all taken for a letter grade. Research units, one-unit seminars, MATSCI 299 Practical Training and courses in other departments (i.e., where students cannot enroll in a class with a MATSCI subject code) cannot be counted for this requirement.
2. Of these 30 units Materials Science requirements, students must include a or b.
   1. three classes from MATSCI 201-210 core courses and three MATSCI 171, 172, 173, 174, 175 laboratory courses. One laboratory requirement may be fulfilled by taking a lab course from another engineering department.

      Course List

      		Units
      Select three of the following core courses:
      MATSCI 202	Materials Chemistry	3
      MATSCI 203	Atomic Arrangements in Solids	3
      MATSCI 204	Thermodynamics and Phase Equilibria	3
      MATSCI 205	Waves and Diffraction in Solids	3
      MATSCI 206	Defects in Crystalline Solids	3
      MATSCI 207	Rate Processes in Materials	3
      MATSCI 208	Mechanical Properties of Materials	3
      MATSCI 209	Electronic and Optical Properties of Solids	3
      MATSCI 210	Organic and Biological Materials	3
      Total core course units		9
      Select three of the following lab courses:
      MATSCI 171	Energy Materials Laboratory	3
      MATSCI 172	X-Ray Diffraction Laboratory	3
      MATSCI 173	Mechanical Behavior Laboratory	3
      MATSCI 174	Electronic and Photonic Materials and Devices Laboratory	3
      MATSCI 175	Nanoscale Materials Physics Computation Laboratory	3
      One laboratory requirment may be fulfilled by taking lab courses from another engineering dept.
      Total lab course units		9
      TOTAL		18

   2. four classes from MATSCI 201-210 core courses and two MATSCI 171, 172, 173, 174, 175 laboratory courses. One laboratory requirement may be fulfilled by taking a lab course from another engineering department.

      Course List

      		Units
      Select four of the following core courses:
      MATSCI 202	Materials Chemistry	3
      MATSCI 203	Atomic Arrangements in Solids	3
      MATSCI 204	Thermodynamics and Phase Equilibria	3
      MATSCI 205	Waves and Diffraction in Solids	3
      MATSCI 206	Defects in Crystalline Solids	3
      MATSCI 207	Rate Processes in Materials	3
      MATSCI 208	Mechanical Properties of Materials	3
      MATSCI 209	Electronic and Optical Properties of Solids	3
      MATSCI 210	Organic and Biological Materials	3
      Total core course units		12
      Select two of the following lab courses:
      MATSCI 171	Energy Materials Laboratory	3
      MATSCI 172	X-Ray Diffraction Laboratory	3
      MATSCI 173	Mechanical Behavior Laboratory	3
      MATSCI 174	Electronic and Photonic Materials and Devices Laboratory	3
      MATSCI 175	Nanoscale Materials Physics Computation Laboratory	3
      One laboratory requirment may be fulfilled by taking lab courses from another engineering dept.
      Total lab course units		6
      TOTAL		18

3. 15 units of approved course electives to result in a technically cohesive program. Of the 15 units of elective courses:
   1. 12 units must be taken for a letter grade (except for those submitting a M.S. thesis report).
   2. a maximum of three units may be seminars.
   3. if writing a master’s thesis report, a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 15 units of MATSCI 200 Master's Research may be counted. Master's research units may be counted only if writing a M.S. thesis report. The final version of the thesis report must be signed off by two faculty and submitted to student services manager by last day of classes of the graduation quarter. See student services manager for details and approval.
   4. a maximum of three units may be undergraduate units, but not courses below the 100 level offering.
   5. a maximum of five units may be used for a foreign language course (not including any remedial English or courses in the student’s native language if other than English). Students must plan to enroll in an upper level designation of a foreign language course offering.
   6. the combination of seminar, undergraduate, and language units may not exceed six units total.
   7. the combination of research, seminar, undergraduate, and language units may not exceed 15 units total.
   8. activity units may not be counted toward M.S. degree.
4. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 for degree course work.

All proposed degree programs are subject to approval by student's academic adviser, and department’s student services manager, who has responsibility for assuring that each proposal is a technically cohesive program. The M.S. degree is expected to be completed within two years during the University’s candidacy period for completion of a master’s degree.

Master's Thesis Report

Students wishing to take this option must consult with a MATSCI faculty member initially. Out of the 45 units M.S. degree requirements, 6-15 units may be taken in Materials Science Master's research by enrolling in MATSCI 200.  Students using 15 units of research toward the degree must participate in a more complex and demanding research project than those using lesser units.

The M.S. thesis report must be approved and signed off by two faculty members. In general, one is student’s research adviser, if adviser is a non MATSCI faculty member, a second MATSCI faculty is required to sign off on the thesis report. Consult with student services manager about faculty criteria, and requirements. Three copies of M.S. thesis report in final format should be submitted to two faculty advisers, and the department. The report is not an official University thesis but is intended to demonstrate to the department and faculty student's ability to conduct and report a directed research. 

As a general guide line, a 6-9 units of master's research is a normal load for most students. The report should reflect the number of units taken. For instance, 3-4 laboratory reports are required for a 3-unit laboratory course. Accordingly, the level expected for 9 units of research would be at least equivalent to three such courses.

Students are advised to submit their thesis draft to faculty adviser readers by the end of fifth week of the quarter in which the units are to be assigned to allow time for faculty comments and revisions. A collated final version of the thesis report should be submitted to faculty and student services manager by last day of classes of student's graduation quarter. The appropriate grade for satisfactory progress in the research project prior to submission of the final report is 'N' (continuing); the 'S' (Satisfactory) final grade is given only when the report is fully approved and signed off by both faculty members.

In cases where students decide to pursue research after the initial program submission deadline, they should submit a revised M.S. Program Proposal at least two quarters before the degree is granted. The total combined units of Materials Science research units, seminars, language courses, and undergraduate courses cannot exceed 15. If a master’s thesis report is not submitted, units in MATSCI 200 Master's Research cannot be applied to the department’s requirement of 45 units for the conferral of the master’s degree.

Requirements

Apply through the Graduate Admissions Office. The fee for online graduate applications is $125.

The university application is on the Graduate Admissions website. Please read all the information provided prior to applying (any general graduate admission information given on the Materials Science and Engineering website is subject to revision by the Graduate Admissions Office). GRE and TOEFL tests must be taken early enough for us to receive the test scores by the application deadline. No late test scores, recommendation letters, transcripts or other applicable supporting materials will be accepted.

The application consists of the following required materials, all of which must be received by the appropriate deadline for the application to be considered complete:

• Online application, statement of purpose and unofficial transcript(s).
• A minimum of three (3), maximum of six (6) recommendation letters submitted online directly by the recommenders.*
• Official test scores reported by ETS. Stanford's institution code is 4704; no department code is needed.
• Mail one (1) official transcript from all post-secondary instituions you have attended for at least one year in a degree program to the Student Services Office. You'll be asked to provide a second official transcript if you are admitted to the program.

Scholarships

Master's students do not receive fellowships and are rarely appointed to research assistantships. 

• Global Education

Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University is a comprehensive interdisciplinary program focused on understanding, designing, and developing materials with novel properties and functions. The program combines fundamental scientific principles with engineering applications, preparing students for careers in research, industry, and academia. Students gain a broad education in areas such as condensed matter physics, chemistry, materials characterization, processing techniques, and computational modeling. The curriculum includes coursework on metallic, ceramic, polymer, and composite materials, along with advanced topics like nanomaterials, biomaterials, electronic materials, and materials for energy applications.

Research is a core component of the program, with students encouraged to engage in cutting-edge projects in laboratories specializing in areas such as nanotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and materials characterization techniques like electron microscopy and spectroscopy. The program facilitates collaboration across disciplines, integrating knowledge from physics, chemistry, and engineering to solve complex materials challenges. It offers specialized tracks and elective courses to tailor the education according to students’ interests, whether they aim to pursue careers in industrial materials development, startups, or academic research.

Facilities at Stanford support a vibrant research environment, including state-of-the-art laboratories and access to experimental and computational tools. The faculty comprises leading experts in materials science, nanotechnology, metallurgy, and related fields, providing mentorship and fostering innovation. The program also emphasizes the importance of learning about the societal impacts of materials, sustainability issues, and ethical considerations in scientific research and engineering practice. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to contribute to technological advancements, develop new materials solutions, and lead initiatives in sectors such as electronics, aerospace, biomedical devices, and renewable energy. The program prepares students for further academic pursuits, including PhD studies, or for entering careers in industry such as materials R&D, quality assurance, and materials engineering management.