This is a non-thesis named option within the Materials Science and Engineering M.S.

Is this program right for you?

As a student in the UW–Madison accelerated master’s in materials engineering, you can choose from three focus areas. Taking the Nanomaterials and Nanoengineering path, you can develop a unique understanding of innovative applications such as nanomaterial synthesis, thin film deposition, polymeric materials, and crystallography. The Engineering Materials and Processes path offers in-depth knowledge of phase transformation, deformation, corrosion and heat treatment, among others. The Semiconductor Materials and Manufacturing for Microelectronics path offers in depth education on the microstructure, fabrication, and properties of electronic, optical, and magnetic materials and semiconductors. It aims to prepare students to make an impact in the semiconductor sector as it develops new materials and fabrication methods needed to create future generations of advanced computation, communications, quantum, and sensing devices. All focus areas include techniques for X-ray scattering, atomistic modeling, molecular dynamics and more.

If you have questions, please contact Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Admissions at msaegradadmission@engr.wisc.eduPlease see admission requirements on the Admissions tab.

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.

Fall Deadline December 15
Spring Deadline The program does not admit in the spring.
Summer Deadline December 15
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Not required.
English Proficiency Test Every applicant whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English must provide an English proficiency test score and meet the Graduate School minimum requirements (https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/requirements/#english-proficiency).
Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) n/a
Letters of Recommendation Required 2

Applicants normally are expected to have a B.S. in the physical sciences or engineering. Undergraduate studies normally would include mathematics through differential equations, at least one year each of general physics and chemistry, a course in physical chemistry or modern physics, and an elementary course in properties of materials. Applicants may be admitted with deficiencies. These must be made up as soon as possible after entering the program.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION

Required Application Materials:

Admission to the University of Wisconsin–Madison Graduate School is a prerequisite for admission to study materials science. A minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 is required. Admission is highly selective. Most admitted students have an undergraduate GPA above 3.5. However, full consideration will be given to all students meeting the UW–Madison graduate school requirements. 

International students must submit satisfactory results on the TOEFL or another acceptable English Language Test. Please use institution code: 1846; no department code is necessary. Information about these exams can be obtained from the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 or Berkeley, California 94704.

Please use the online application to begin your application. If you have questions about the application or admissions process, please do not hesitate to e-mail msaegradadmission@engr.wisc.edu.

The graduate school offers a limited number of application fee grants (waivers of all or part of the application fee) that are available in a few specific circumstances.  Further information is available here.

►Submit only the documents requested.

NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT SEND DOCUMENTS TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL. ALL DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE UPLOADED WITH YOUR APPLICATION.

QUESTIONS?

Contact us at msaegradadmission@engr.wisc.edu

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Information

Students enrolled in this program are not eligible to receive tuition remission from graduate assistantship appointments at this institution.

Financial assistance from the University or the Department is not available for the Master of Science named option program in Materials Engineering.

If you would like to pursue funding on your own, the following sites could be helpful:

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Named Option Requirements

MODE OF INSTRUCTION

Face to Face Evening/Weekend Online Hybrid Accelerated
Yes No No No Yes

Mode of Instruction Definitions

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Credit Requirement 30 credits
Minimum Residence Credit Requirement 16 credits
Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement 15 credits (50% of 30 credits) must be graduate-level coursework. Details can be found in the Graduate School’s policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244
Overall Graduate GPA Requirement 3.00 GPA required.
This program follows the Graduate School's policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203.
Other Grade Requirements n/a
Assessments and Examinations No formal examination is required.
Language Requirements None.

Required COURSES

General Requirements
2 semesters of M S & E 9002
M S & E 350 Introduction to Materials Science3
or M S & E 550 Materials Fundamentals
M S & E 530 Thermodynamics of Solids3
Courses within focus area (see below)22
Total Credits30

Students choose one of the following focus areas.

Nanomaterials and Nanoengineering1

Required course:
M S & E 553 Nanomaterials & Nanotechnology3
Electives:
M S & E 401 Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering (Energy Storage Materials)3
M S & E 401 Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering (Inorganic Organic Hybrid Materials)3
M S & E/​CHEM  421 Polymeric Materials3
M S & E 434 Introduction to Thin-Film Deposition Processes3
M S & E 448 Crystallography and X-Ray Diffraction3
M S & E 456 Electronic, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of Materials3
M S & E 460 Introduction to Computational Materials Science and Engineering3
M S & E 521 Advanced Polymeric Materials3
M S & E 551 Structure of Materials3
M S & E 570 Properties of Solid Surfaces3
M S & E 648 Advanced X-ray Scattering Methods in Materials Science and Engineering3
M S & E 660 Mesoscale Modeling of Materials3
M S & E 748 Structural Analysis of Materials3
M S & E 752 Advanced Materials Science: Phase Transformations3
M S & E 760 Molecular Modeling of Materials3
M S & E 699 Independent Study 21-4
M S & E 803 Special Topics in Materials Science (with advisor approval)1-3

Engineering Materials and Processes1

Required Course:
M S & E 752 Advanced Materials Science: Phase Transformations3
Electives:
M S & E/​N E  433 Principles of Corrosion3
M S & E 441 Deformation of Solids3
M S & E 461 Advanced Metal Casting3
M S & E/​M E  462 Welding Metallurgy3
M S & E 463 Materials for Elevated Temperature Service3
M S & E 465 Fundamentals of Heat Treatment3
M S & E 551 Structure of Materials3
M S & E 560 Fundamentals of Atomistic Modeling3
M S & E 648 Advanced X-ray Scattering Methods in Materials Science and Engineering3
M S & E 660 Mesoscale Modeling of Materials3
M S & E 699 Independent Study 21-4
M S & E 748 Structural Analysis of Materials3
M S & E 760 Molecular Modeling of Materials3
E P D 701 Writing for Professionals1
E P D 702 Professional Presentations1
E P D 704 Organizational Communication and Problem Solving1
E P D 706 Change Management1
E P D 708 Creating Breakthrough Innovations1
E P D 712 Ethics for Professionals1
E P D/​GEN BUS/​MARKETNG  782 Marketing for Non-Marketing Professionals1
E P D/​GEN BUS/​M H R  783 Leading Teams1
E P D/​GEN BUS/​OTM  784 Project Management Essentials1

 Semiconductor Materials and Manufacturing for Microelectronics1

Required courses:
M S & E 434 Introduction to Thin-Film Deposition Processes3
M S & E 570 Properties of Solid Surfaces3
At least one course from the following three: 3
Electronic, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of Materials
Structure and Properties of Advanced Electronic Materials
Molecular Modeling of Materials
Electives:
M S & E 401 Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering (Quantum Materials)3
M S & E 448 Crystallography and X-Ray Diffraction3
M S & E 456 Electronic, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of Materials 33
M S & E 551 Structure of Materials3
M S & E 648 Advanced X-ray Scattering Methods in Materials Science and Engineering3
M S & E 660 Mesoscale Modeling of Materials3
M S & E 748 Structural Analysis of Materials3
M S & E 756 Structure and Properties of Advanced Electronic Materials 33
M S & E 760 Molecular Modeling of Materials 33
M S & E 699 Independent Study 21-4
E C E 549 Integrated Circuit Fabrication Laboratory3

Footnotes 

1

These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.

2

Students in this program may apply a maximum of 4 credits of M S & E 699 Independent Study to the degree, with advisor approval.

3

The same course may not satisfy more than one requirement. For example, if M S & E 456 Electronic, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of Materials is taken as a required course, it cannot also be used as an elective course.

Students in this program may not take courses outside the prescribed curriculum without faculty advisor and program director approval. Students in this program cannot enroll concurrently in other undergraduate or graduate degree programs.

Graduate School Policies

The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.

Named Option-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

Graduate Work from Other Institutions

Typically, no graduate work from other institutions may count toward graduate program requirements. 

UW–Madison Undergraduate

Typically, no credits from undergraduate coursework may be counted toward graduate program requirements.  However, with program approval, students who received a Materials Science and Engineering B.S. at UW-Madison are allowed to count up to 7 credits from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering numbered 300 or above toward the minimum graduate degree credit requirement. If that coursework is numbered 700 or above it may be used to satisfy the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement.  No credits can be counted toward the minimum graduate residence credit requirement.

UW–Madison University Special

Typically, no UW-Madison University Special student credits may be counted toward graduate program requirements.  However, with program approval, students are allowed to count up to 15 credits of coursework numbered 300 or above taken as a UW–Madison Special student toward the minimum graduate residence credit requirement, and the minimum graduate degree credit requirement. If that coursework is numbered 700 or above it may satisfy the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement.  

ProbatioN

This program follows the Graduate School's Probation policy.

ADVISOR / COMMITTEE

This program follows the Graduate School's Advisor policy and Committees policy.

CREDITS PER TERM ALLOWED

15 credits; Suggested course credit allocation:

  • Summer session: 4 credits
  • Fall semester: 13 credits
  • Spring semester: 13 credits

Time LIMITS

The Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering: Materials Engineering, which is a named option program within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, can be completed within 12 months and must be completed within 16 months.

Master’s degree students who have been absent for five or more consecutive years lose all credits that they have earned before their absence. Individual programs may count the coursework students completed prior to their absence for meeting program requirements; that coursework may not count toward Graduate School credit requirements.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

MS&E Grievance Procedures

Students who feel they have been unfairly treated or otherwise have a grievance related to the policies and procedures for graduate study in the Materials Science and Engineering Department may choose to submit a formal grievance to the department. Before taking this step, however, students are encouraged to discuss their grievance directly with the person or persons involved. Respectful, professional, direct communication can often reach a more satisfactory resolution to an issue more quickly than a formal grievance procedure.

To pursue a formal grievance, the student should submit a letter describing the issue in detail to the department Associate Chair of Graduate Studies within 60 days of the precipitating incident. (Should the grievance involve the Director of Graduate Studies, the letter should be submitted to the department Chair.) The Director (or Chair) will convene a committee of not fewer than three department faculty. The committee will obtain a written response from the person or persons who are the subject of the complaint. The committee will then decide a course of action in response to the grievance. The response from the subject of the complaint and the committee course of action will be communicated in writing to the student within 15 working days of submission of the grievance. The course of action will be implemented no later than 10 working days of the communication.

If the departmental procedure does not resolve the grievance, the student may appeal to the College of Engineering or the Graduate School. The College grievance procedures are currently available at https://engineering.wisc.edu/report-an-incident/academic-grievances-and-complaints/, and the Graduate School procedures are available at http://grad.wisc.edu/acadpolicy/.

The Assistant Dean for Graduate Affairs (engr-dean-graduateaffairs@engr.wisc.edu) provides overall leadership for graduate education in the College of Engineering (CoE), and is a point of contact for graduate students who have concerns about education, mentoring, research, or other difficulties.

Other

Students are strongly discouraged to pursue positions as Project Assistants, Teaching Assistants or Research Assistants during their time in this program, as the rigor and accelerated nature of this program may not accommodate those work time commitments. Students in this program will not receive the tuition remission that is typically part of the compensation package for a graduate assistantship.

Graduate School Resources

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

Program Resources

Find information about professional development from the College of Engineering at the following webpage: https://interpro.wisc.edu.

Professors:

Michael Arnold, Sue Babcock, Chang-Beom Eom, Paul Evans, Padma Gopalan, Sindo Kou, Rod Lakes, Dane Morgan, John Perepezko, Kumar Sridharan, Donald Stone, Izabela Szlufarska, Dan Thoma, Paul Voyles, and Xudong Wang

Associate Professors:

Jason Kawasaki

Assistant Professors:

Dawei Feng, Jiamian Hu, Fang Liu, Hyunseok Oh, Daniel Rhodes, and Jun Xiao

Assistant Teaching Professors:

Franklin Hobbs