Materials Science and Engineering Bachelor's Degree

Materials science and engineering focuses on material behavior to understand, improve, and even create new materials. At Michigan Tech, discover how materials engineering is the key to nearly all engineered products.

A bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering prepares you to design materials that are central to quality-of-life improvements. Create and innovate everyday products like automobiles, mountain bikes, computers, and cell phones. Work at the forefront of technology to compose new, high-quality products for a cleaner environment and more efficient technology.

At Michigan Tech, work closely with industry-experienced faculty members in state-of-the-art facilities, such as our own metal-casting foundry and microfabrication facility. Develop your own projects in a personalized learning environment. Collaborate with your fellow materials scientists in the Materials Science and Engineering Learning Center or as a member of a professional organization, such as Materials United or the Smithing Guild. Explore internship, co-op, and career opportunities that best suit your interests with the help of our dedicated advisors.

  • 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)

What Will I Study?

As a materials science and engineering major at Michigan Tech, you'll build on a foundation of physics, mathematics, and engineering principles. Develop hands-on expertise working on product design and manufacturing projects.

Before you graduate, put your materials science and engineering skills to the test in either an industry-sponsored Senior Design capstone project or collaborative Enterprise team. Expand your expertise with advanced coursework in the following areas:

  • Principles of Metal Casting
  • Composite Materials
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-ray Microanalysis
  • Materials Forensics
  • Light and Photonic Materials
  • Hydrometallurgy/Pyrometallurgy

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. 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.

All Enterprise teams are open to all majors. A team with a particular focus on materials science projects is Advanced Metalworks. 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, or foundry industry. 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.

Katie Amar-Fox on the MTU 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 the unique opportunity to design their own cast-iron molds, see live metal casting demonstrations, and connect with professional engineers, metallurgists, and skilled craftsman to learn more about careers in metalworking and engineering.

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

Waupaca Foundry at MTU

“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, materials science and engineering

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Materials Science and Engineering at Michigan Tech applies physics, chemistry, and engineering to develop new materials and processes that improve products and quality of life. Get involved in research, from nanotechnologies and biomaterials to sustainable energy solutions and high-performance composites. Work closely with faculty who are shaping the future through cutting-edge research and hands-on learning. Gain the skills and experience needed to solve tomorrow’s toughest challenges in a dynamic community with state-of-the-art facilities and global opportunities.

  • Receive unique training in electron microscopy, metal casting, mechanical testing, microfabrication, and more.
  • Engage in a rich, personalized learning environment with academic support in our dedicated learning center.
  • Participate in undergraduate research with world-renowned faculty.
  • Develop real solutions working on an industry-sponsored Senior Design capstone project.
  • Join an Enterprise team such as Advanced Metalworks or Green Campus.
  • Specialize with a minor in electronic materials, structural materials, or nanoscale science and engineering.

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 other noteworthy organizations around the globe. 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