What Is a Materials Science & Engineering Degree?

A new article by U.S. News & World Report examines the basics of a materials science degree – and who should pursue one. Materials science and engineering research combines chemistry and physics to create substances with useful properties. MSE research at the University of Arizona includes work with additive manufacturing, optical materials, integrated computational science and engineering, materials for energy conversion and heat control, materials synthesis, processing and fabrication, and heritage conservation.

The article features an interview with Brandon Sweeney, head of research and development for materials at the technology company Essentium, who says a materials engineer can "maximize performance, while minimizing cost and failures."

"Materials engineers are typically solving grand challenges for enabling tomorrow's technologies," Sweeney said. "From developing next generation battery materials for energy storage, novel membranes for producing clean water, sustainable plastics to eliminate pollution, semiconductors for electronics and information technology infrastructure, and all sorts of biomedical devices to improve health and quality of life, materials engineers are having a major impact on our world for generations to come."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary among materials engineers in 2019 was $93,360.