The Master of Science (M.S.) program in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) at UC Santa Cruz equips students with advanced laboratory, computational, and analytical theory skills. These skills are highly valuable across various industries, including semiconductor materials and device processing, computer simulation, cryogenics, electronic and magnetic measurements, and bioelectronics. Each M.S. student works closely with a faculty advisor to create a personalized coursework plan aligned with their specific interests. The MSE program is inherently interdisciplinary, with faculty members formally affiliated with departments in both the Physical & Biological Sciences (PBSci) Division and the Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE). Students and faculty engage with several cutting-edge research facilities on and near campus. These include labs within the BSOE, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Westside Research Park. Additional research opportunities are available through proximity to the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, the Stanford Nanofabrication Facility, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Collaborative research programs also extend to national laboratories such as Los Alamos, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The program also fosters collaborations with industrial partners like IBM and Advanced Materials.
The MSE M.S. program offers two plans: Plan I (Thesis) and Plan II (Comprehensive Exam). Both plans require students to complete 45 credits of graduate or upper-division undergraduate coursework, with at least 30 credits at the graduate level.
The skills developed in the Materials Science and Engineering M.S. program are highly transferable and valuable in a wide range of fields.
Residency status for tuition purposes is determined through the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR). International students are classified as non-residents for tuition purposes. Deadlines apply for submitting the SLR and supporting documents to ensure timely fee assessment.
The program faculty are members of academic departments within the Physical & Biological Sciences (PBSci) Division and the Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE).
The Materials Science and Engineering M.S. program requires students to complete 45 credits of graduate or upper-division undergraduate coursework. The program structure is outlined over two years.
International students are classified as non-residents for tuition purposes. Please refer to the UC Santa Cruz Registrar's website for current tuition and fee information, paying close attention to non-resident tuition rates.
Graduates develop highly transferable skills applicable to roles in semiconductor materials and device processing, computer simulation, cryogenics, bioelectronics, and research and development across various industries.
You can obtain application materials from the MSE program website or by contacting the Division of Graduate Studies. Ensure you complete the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) if required and submit all application documents by the specified deadlines.
Specific admission requirements and application materials are detailed on the MSE program website or can be obtained by contacting the Division of Graduate Studies.