Materials Science and Engineering

Materials Science & Engineering (MSEN) is the study of materials, processes, and devices for applications including: mechanical and structural materials, nanoscale materials and devices, microelectronic-photonic materials and devices, energy materials and devices, biological materials and devices, and materials modeling.
Apply NowRequest Information

Program Offerings: Masters and Doctoral Paths

The materials science program offers a Master of Science in Materials Science (MATS), a Master of Science in Materials Engineering (MATE) and a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering (MSEN).

 

Master of Science in Materials Science (MATS) and Master of Science in Materials Engineering (MATE)

Students will work with the Director of the MSEN program to define the master’s path that best supports the students’ career goals. Both MATS and MATE degrees offer the option of three curriculum paths: academic path, professional path and non-thesis path. Master’s students will also choose a concentration area to focus on to further deepen their knowledge in the specialization. Further details can be found in the Materials Science Handbook.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Materials Science and Engineering

The materials science program offers a single curriculum path to obtain a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering. The curriculum is adjusted slightly depending upon the student’s M.S. degree. Further details can be found in the Materials Science Handbook.

 

Explore Our Program

Student Research Ready

Our program is housed in a research facility that allows students to conduct state-of-the-art research in any one of our research areas.

View Program Research

Meet Our Program

Our program is made up of faculty from across the University of Arkansas campus. Incoming students are encouraged to find a faculty mentor within the program to support their research efforts.

Connect with Faculty and Graduate Students

Concentrations

Mechanical & Structural Materials

Mechanical and structural materials are engineered substances designed to withstand forces, provide support, and maintain integrity under stress. They are used in construction, transportation, and machinery for their strength, durability, and stability.

Associated Faculty

Nanoscale Materials & Devices

Nanoscale materials are substances engineered at the nanometer scale, exhibiting unique physical and chemical properties due to their size. Nanoscale devices use these materials to perform functions in fields like electronics, medicine, and energy with high precision and efficiency.

Associated Faculty

Microelectronic-Photonic Materials & Devices

Microelectronic photonics combines electronics and photonics at microscopic scales to control and manipulate light and electrical signals. Devices in this field, such as photodetectors, lasers, and optical modulators, enable high-speed communication, sensing, and data processing.

Associated Faculty

Energy Materials & Devices

Energy materials are substances designed to generate, store, or transfer energy efficiently, such as in batteries, fuel cells, or solar cells. Energy devices use these materials to convert, store, or manage energy for applications like power generation, storage, and transmission.

Associated Faculty

Biological Materials & Devices

Biological materials are natural substances from living organisms used in medicine and biotechnology. Biological devices are engineered tools that interact with or mimic biological systems for diagnosis, treatment, or support.

Associated Faculty

Materials Modeling

Materials modeling involves using computational methods to simulate and predict the behavior, properties, and structure of materials at various scales. It helps researchers design new materials and understand how they perform under different conditions without extensive physical experiments.

Associated Faculty

2D Quantum Materials & Modeling

2D quantum materials are atomically thin substances, like graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides, where quantum effects such as confinement, spin-orbit coupling, and topological states give rise to unique electronic and optical properties. Their behavior is modeled using computational methods like density functional theory, tight-binding, and many-body techniques to predict properties and guide applications in electronics, photonics, and quantum technologies.

Associated Faculty

Marco Fielder in the Multiscale Materials Modeling Lab

Our Program Handbook

Participants in the MS program will be encouraged to complete an interdisciplinary research-thesis based Master of Science degree, although a non-thesis path could be allowed with approval of the program’s graduate affairs committee. Both degree paths require a mixture of physics, engineering, other science, and business management classes, resulting in a degree that will be highly marketable to career opportunities in the development and manufacturing of high tech materials and devices.

MS students will select from one of six concentration areas of study: Mechanical & Structural Materials, Nanoscale Materials & Devices, Microelectronic-Photonic Materials & Devices, Energy Materials & Devices, Biological Materials & Devices. Materials Modeling.

View the Handbook

Funding Opportunities

MSEN Based Funding

Doctoral Academy Fellowship (DAF) and Distinguished Doctoral Fellowship (DDF)

The Materials Science and Engineering program actively participates in the U of A Doctoral Fellowships offered by the Graduate School and International Education at the University of Arkansas.

U of A Doctoral Fellowships

NSF 2D Quantum Materials Fellowship

The traineeship provides unique opportunities for MS and PhD materials science and engineering students to gain strong theoretical, practical and professional proficiency in 2D quantum materials research.

Competitive two-year fellowships are available to cover the cost of tuition and provides $34,000 of stipend per year.

Review Requirements 

Application Checklist

  • Graduate School Application
  • Current Resume
    • All educational institutions attended, expected graduation date, and expected availability to arrive in Fayetteville. Include GPA for all
      degrees.
    • Listing of skills and experiences that could contribute to your success in our program.
    • Date of birth
    • U.S. citizenship status
    • All contact information (addresses, phone numbers, etc...)
    • GRE scores
  • Statement of Purpose
    • Short (less than 500 word) description of your professional and personal goals after your education is completed.
    • It should concentrate on how you perceive the MSEN program will support these goals.
  • Transcripts
    • Entering with BS: All undergraduate institutions attended
    • Entering with MS: All undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
  • Letters of Reference
    • Three letters of reference are required from professors or work supervisors that have direct knowledge of your ability to learn and
      direct knowledge of your work characteristics.

Deadlines

The Graduate School requires a student to send in their application and all required documents before their deadline. The Materials Science & Engineering program does not have a particular deadline date for receiving applications, but in general early applications have an advantage in securing funded positions. Deadlines for each semester are listed on the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions website.

Please Note

MSEN may only accept students into the program through the Graduate Admission process.

Program News