Materials Science and Engineering

Materials Science and Engineering Bachelor's Degree

Fuse your creativity and interest in materials to mold a rewarding career.

Prostheses, automobiles, and mountain bikes allow us to go where we want and do what we want. Computers and cell phones are products that touch our everyday lives. Learn to create and innovate these products. Get a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering.

Materials scientists work at the forefront of technology. They apply physics, chemistry, and biology to compose new products. Using methods in materials science and engineering, they improve our quality of life.

These professionals have contributed to major scientific breakthroughs, including:

  • New materials that allow energy conversion for a cleaner environment
  • Artificial skin for burn victims
  • Nanotechnologies that make computers smaller, faster, and more economical
  • Tough new composites that enable mountain bikers to climb higher and faster
  • Microscopic silicon chips that rewire themselves to conform to users’ needs
  • Medical diagnostic equipment such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging
  • No. 13
    Best Public College for Engineering in America (Niche)
  • No. 2
    Best Public School for Internships (The Princeton Review)
  • No. 3
    Best Public College in the US for High Salaries (The Wall Street Journal)
  • No. 9
    for Career Placement (The Princeton Review)

Tomorrow Needs Science and Engineering on Many Scales

At Michigan Tech, you can explore a wide variety of materials. Imagine studying objects ranging in scale from the nano- to the macro-scale. Find out what controls their properties and behaviors.

Examine the performance of metals, plastics, ceramics, biomaterials, electronic materials, and more. Take an active role in their development and production.

Engineering Enterprise Concentration

You can pursue an Enterprise concentration by taking part in Michigan Tech's award-winning Enterprise program. It's a great way to enhance your undergraduate degree. Enterprise is when students work in teams on real projects, with real clients, in an environment that's more like a business than a classroom. Choose from among 25 Enterprise teams on campus to invent products, provide services, and pioneer solutions. Tackle real-world design projects for industry sponsors or take part in a national competition (or both). This concentration can add courses in business and entrepreneurship.

Be Career-Ready

Explore career opportunities for materials science and engineering majors.

Graduate with a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering. Prepare to transition directly to entry-level jobs in industry. Gain a position in process engineering, quality control, and materials design. Go into the electronics, auto, and foundry industries. An advanced degree is desirable for research positions.

  • Reliability engineer
  • Composites engineer
  • Research engineer
  • Semiconductor processing engineer
  • Failure analysis engineer
  • Materials engineer
  • Quality assurance engineer

$76,175 mean entry-level salary
Figures from payscale.com, accessed April 2025.

Engineering Salaries

Katie Amar-Fox on the Career Fair

I was able to speak with Nucor when I was a second year here at Tech. Then, I did a few different internships with them down in Alabama and over in Illinois, then landed a full-time spot down in Arkansas.

Katie Amar-Fox
Katie Amar-Fox ’19
materials science and engineering

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying materials science and engineering at Michigan's flagship technological university.

 

Bringing Industry to Students

During Foundry Fest at Michigan Tech, Materials Science and Engineering students had to the unique opportunity to design their own cast iron molds, see live metal casting demonstrations, and connect with engineers, metallurgists, and skilled craftsman to learn more about careers in metal-working and engineering.

Watch Waupaca Foundry at MTU video
Preview image for Waupaca Foundry at MTU video

Waupaca Foundry at MTU

Watch My Michigan Tech: Madi Kehoe video
Preview image for My Michigan Tech: Madi Kehoe video
“My favorite thing about materials science is how many paths you can take in a career. You can specialize in polymers or metals or ceramics.”Madi Kehoe, undergraduate materials science and engineering student

The MSE Department

At the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Michigan Technological University, innovation meets real-world impact. From nanotechnologies and biomaterials to sustainable energy solutions and high-performance composites, our students and faculty are shaping the future through cutting-edge research and hands-on learning. With small class sizes, state-of-the-art facilities, and global opportunities, you'll gain the skills and experience needed to solve tomorrow’s toughest challenges. Join a dynamic community where your curiosity drives discovery—and your future starts now.

  • Our facilities include a full suite of labs for characterizing and making new materials.
  • Faculty mentor students in many research areas, such as nanomaterials, energy, battery technology, biomaterials, the environment, and failure analysis.
  • Get unique training in electron microscopy.
  • Funding is available through the Charles and Carroll McArthur Undergraduate Research Endowment.
  • Our department specialty is working in metals.
  • We give you the personal attention and support necessary for academic success and a positive overall undergraduate experience.

MTU engineering

Real Engineering. Meaningful Work.

Michigan Tech’s College of Engineering is committed to inspiring students, advancing knowledge, and innovating technological solutions to create a sustainable, just, and prosperous world. With an entering engineering class of about 1,000 students, 18 degrees to choose from, and 160+ engineering faculty alone, our students take part in a world-class education with the trusted reputation of Michigan Tech.

Collaborate and innovate as part of Michigan Tech’s discovery-based learning environment. Explore the endless possibilities of your engineering education in Engineering Fundamentals. Work closely with world-renowned faculty as a research assistant or develop real solutions with industry partners on an Enterprise team or Senior Design capstone project. 

Join the pack and find the support you need. Map your academic career with the help of an academic advisor. Transition to University life with the support of the Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success or receive academic support in any of the Learning Centers across campus. 

Study abroad, with engineering opportunities ranging from a few weeks to a full year. Focus on problems facing disadvantaged communities in countries around the world. Michigan Tech’s Global and Community Engagement program offers a range of options.

A degree in engineering from Michigan Tech can take you anywhere. After graduating, 95 percent of our alumni find successful employment within six months. Tech engineers work at NASA, Whirlpool, General Motors, Dow, Lockheed Martin, and beyond. With multiple annual Career Fairs and one-on-one advising from Career Services, you can find an internship, co-op, or full-time job where your engineering expertise can make a difference.

Tomorrow Needs Every Engineer

Michigan Tech engineers are at the forefront of change. Using creative ideas and technologies to solve problems in healthcare, energy, transportation, space exploration, climate change, and beyond, Tech engineers are prepared to help people and their communities adapt toward an equitable future. Become an engineer who is ready for what tomorrow needs.

College News

“I was inspired to become an MSE because this type of engineering is really fundamental. We connect to chemistry. We connect to physics. We connect to mechanical engineering.”Mieka Clark '23, BS in Materials Science and Engineering with a minor in physics