Online Education for Working Professionals
Apply the Processing-Structure-Properties-Performance paradigm of the MSE discipline.

Fundamentals of Materials Engineering—Graduate Certificate

Fundamentals of Materials Engineering

Analyze and design new and emerging materials.

The program of study provides a basic understanding behind the development and optimization of materials. Apply thermodynamic and kinetic principles to design the material's chemistry. Learn the manufacturing processes required to develop specific material microstructures and functionalities. Become an asset in material and product development, manufacturing, and design through the fundamentals of materials science and engineering.

3 + 1 courses in 3 semesters.

Department Materials Science and Engineering
Admissions requirement BS degree in MSE or closely related discipline.
Contact Doug Swenson
Length 3 + 1 courses in 2-3 semesters
Effort 3 hours per credit per week
Each course 3 credits, 1 credit
Total credits 9 + 1
Course type Online or on-campus
Modality Watch class recordings on demand
Cost Based on credits and course type
Already enrolled? Speak with your advisor.

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Progress quickly with a compact curriculum.

Work with the program advisor to select courses that fit your interests and prerequisite skills.

Check your preparation.

Students with degrees in the physical sciences (engineering, physics, chemistry) are encouraged to apply.

Take a 1 credit required course.

Take 9 credits of elective courses.

The minimum completion time is two semesters.

Here is a typical schedule.

Fall Spring
MSE 5110
and/or MSE 5140
MSE 5970
MSE 5120
and/or MSE 5130

Interested in taking a single, online course? Enroll as a non-degree seeking student.

Upon completion of the certificate, students will be able to:

  1. Propose and/or design new materials based on structure-property correlations
  2. Propose and/or design processing based on processing-structure correlations
  3. Predict material structure based on fundamental principles of material thermodynamics and kinetics

Michigan Tech was founded in 1885.

The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and widely respected by fast-paced industries, including automotive development, infrastructure, manufacturing, and aerospace. Michigan Tech graduates deliver on rapid innovation and front-line research, leaning into any challenge with confidence.

The College of Engineering fosters excellence in education and research.

We set out as the Michigan Mining School in 1885 to train mining engineers to better operate copper mines. Today, more than 60 percent of Michigan Tech students are enrolled in our 17 undergraduate and 29 graduate engineering programs across nine departments. Our students and curriculum embrace the spirit of hard work and fortitude our founders once had. Our online graduate courses are the same, robust classes taken by our doctorate and masters candidates, taught directly by highly regarded faculty, with outstanding support from staff. We invite working professionals to join these courses, bring their own experience and challenges as part of the discussion. Leverage the national reputation of Michigan Tech to advance your career in tech leadership.

Meet the online certified instructors.

Students have the flexibility to review class recordings later.

Stephen Hackney

Stephen Hackney

Professor Emeritus, Materials Science and Engineering

Teaching Statement

Dr. Hackney teaches on topics of corrosion, environmental effects, and vehicle battery cells and systems.

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Yongmei Jin

Yongmei Jin

Professor, Materials Science and Engineering

Teaching Statement

Dr. Jin teaches courses in materials processing, mechanical behavior of materials, and transmission electron microscopy.

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Edward Laitila

Edward Laitila

Senior Research Engineer/Scientist II

Teaching Statement

Mr. Laitila teaches courses in crystallography, diffraction, and materials forensics.

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Douglas Swenson

Douglas Swenson

Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering

Teaching Statement

Dr. Swenson teaches about thermodynamics, kinetics, design of microstructure, advanced physical metallurgy, and introductory materials science and engineering.

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Yu Wang

Yu Wang

Professor, Materials Science and Engineering

Teaching Statement

Dr. Wang teaches courses in materials science and engineering, advanced computational materials science, thermodynamics and kinetics, and crystallography and diffraction.

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"Whether its the materials from which they are made, to their design, processing, properties, applications, integrations, and even their repurposing, Tech has a program."Michigan Tech Global Campus