Materials Science & Engineering

WPI at TMS in 2023

Materials Science & Engineering (MTE) is focused on the ways in which materials are made, used, and recycled; on developing and processing new materials and products; and on the innovative use of traditional materials.

WPI’s Materials Science & Engineering interdisciplinary graduate degree programs engage students in cutting-edge research with world-renowned faculty whose work is as broad and varied as the needs of such diverse industries as medicine, energy, transportation, and manufacturing.

Students in the MTE program develop a fundamental understanding of materials at the nano, micro, and macro scales within focus areas that include structure, processing, properties, performance, kinetics, and thermodynamics. Students learn about the synthesizing of new materials and development of improved processes for making them. The focus of much of the research is on metal processing.

Given that materials science and engineering combines chemistry, physics, biology, and math with mechanical, chemical, and electrical engineering principles, graduates find themselves in great demand.

Degree is also offered online.
Area of Study Bachelor Minor Certificate Master PhD
Materials minor
Materials Science & Engineering master phd
This degree is also offered Online.

News

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Lighter Metals, Greener Vehicles

Work by Professor Diana Lados could help keep aircraft in service longer, more safely, and with better on-time performance. Her U.S. Army–supported research has implications for military and commercial aircraft.

Metals Processing Institute (MPI)

The award-winning alliance of WPI and the Metals Processing Institute (MPI) gives students and faculty access to research and projects in metal casting, heat treating, and resource recovery and recycling.

Working together at MPI, industry leaders and university researchers solve business challenges and improve manufacturing processes that save energy, reduce cycle time, increase productivity, and eliminate environmental waste

Career Outlook

As the market demands new materials and improved products, engineers with a materials science and engineering background may work in diverse fields—from agriculture to transportation. 

From WPI's alumni magazine

Faculty Snapshot

Yan Wang

See what the The William Smith Foundation Dean’s Professor of Mechanical Engineering keeps in his office.