Future Students

Tomorrow needs engineers and scientists who understand materials, in order to make them stronger, lighter, safer, greener, and more cost-effective. This is exactly what we do—and you can learn to do it, too with the education and experience we have to offer.

Scanning electron microscope image of a bioabsorbable metal heart stent. Photo courtesy of MSE Professor Jarek Drelich and Biomedical Engineering Professor Jeremy Goldman.

Materials are central to quality-of-life improvements. As our society becomes more complex, new materials are key components. Innovative materials will play an important role in providing more food, water, and energy for a rapidly growing population.

Microstructure of demagnetized neodymium iron boron (Nd₂Fe₁₄B) alloy showing magnetic domain contrast with individual grains. Optical micrograph by MSE graduate student Matt Tianen.

Materials are everywhere and part of everything. The MSE field is immensely broad and provides opportunities in a wide range of industries, world locations, and a variety of functions. Michigan Tech MSE graduates enjoy high starting salaries and high employment rates.

Universities the world needs: Michigan Tech Materials Science and Engineering

Our classes are taught by faculty (not teaching assistants). Our relatively small size as a department enables a rich, personalized learning environment that is also a lot of fun.

What it means to be a Michigan Technological University MSE student

Our close partnerships with industry give you an inside look at potential jobs, potential employers, and future colleagues. Gain access to industry projects as you participate in internships and co-ops, Michigan Tech’s award-winning Enterprise Program, and MSE capstone senior design.

Nearly all technological breakthroughs involve a new material or material functionality. As an MSE at Michigan Tech, you’ll process a wide range of materials in our exceptional labs, view and analyze their resulting structure, and evaluate their properties and performance.

Cubic (Bi,Lu,Gd)₃(FeGa)₅O₁₂ magneto-optic material used for one-way optical filters. Atomic resolution scanning transmission electron micrograph by former MSE staff member Pinaki Mukherjee and Professor Miguel Levy.

At Michigan Tech, you’ll hit the ground running, using highly advanced devices such as electron scanning microscopes—even as an undergrad. Michigan Tech is one of only a handful of universities nationwide that have retained an in-house metal foundry.

Everything has to be made out of something. The question is, out of what – and how do we make it?

Using our outstanding materials processing facilities, including our metal foundry and deformation lab, you will have the opportunity to independently propose, design, and make objects to display or sell—a fusion of art, engineering, and entrepreneurship!

Casting, extrusion, powder-forming, and 3D printing are among the many capabilities that students can access to make a variety of objects and products.

Your close relationship with your classmates creates a strong learning community, which will become your first professional network after you graduate—a strong foundation for a great career.

Join the materials science and engineering revolution in Industry 4.0