Masters of Science (M.S.)

Through formal coursework in small classes and participation in cutting-edge sponsored research, students in the Intercollege Graduate Degree Program (IGDP) in Materials Science and Engineering enjoy a graduate education that prepares them well for their future careers.

As a culminating experience for the M.S. degree, students may choose to complete either a thesis-based M.S. degree or write a scholarly paper for the accelerated M.S. degree program. Students in the accelerated M.S. program earn a degree in one year (including summer). Thesis-based IGDP students require longer to graduate (typically two years) and receive full funding (stipend and tuition) in the form of fellowships or research assistantships.

Degree Requirements

Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the degree requirements section of the Graduate Bulletin.

A minimum of 30 credits is required for the completion of the M.S. degree. At least 18 credits must be at the 500 or 600 level, and the remaining credits may be at the 400 or 800 level. There are 11 credits required in the following core courses: MATSE 501 (3 cr.), MATSE 512 (3 cr.), either MATSE 542 or MATSE 503 (3 cr.), MATSE 582 (1 cr.), and MATSE 590 (1 cr.). Depending on the culminating experience chosen, either 6 credits of thesis research or 6 credits of non-thesis research is required. The remaining elective credits may be chosen from a list of approved electives maintained by the program office.

The Graduate School requires that all candidates for advanced degrees complete training in Scholarship and Research Integrity (SARI). The SARI requirements for the MatSE program include completion of an online Responsible Conduct of Research training program and a 1 credit Professional Development course (MATSE 582). Students should complete the SARI requirements by the end of their first year of study.

Thesis-based M.S. degree requirements:

Students who choose to complete a thesis must take at least 6 credits of thesis research (MATSE 600). A thesis describing independent research performed by the student must be written and defended at an oral examination. Bound copies will be made available for the University Libraries and the thesis adviser. A thesis committee will administer the final oral examination of the thesis. The committee must consist of at least three Graduate Faculty members. The thesis must be accepted by the committee members, the head of the graduate program, and the Graduate School, and the student must pass the thesis defense. At least 18 of the 30 credits for the thesis-based degree option must be formal coursework, not counting credits for research, professional development, or colloquium.

Minimum total credits: 30 credits
Minimum research credits: 6 credits
Minimum formal course credits: 18 credits
Minimum 500-level credits: 12 credits
Core graduate course credits: 9 credits
Seminar: 2 credits/year
Scholarship and research integrity credits: Online training and 1 credit of MatSE 582 (Materials Science and Engineering Professional Development)
Minimum GPA for graduation: 3.00
Thesis requirement: A written thesis and an oral defense administered by a committee of 3 faculty members, with at least 2 from the iMatSE graduate program

Accelerated M.S. degree requirements:

The non-thesis track is designed to be completed in 3 semesters, or one calendar year (fall, spring, and summer). Students in this program will be required to begin in the fall semester and be registered continuously until the culminating research experience is completed at the end of the summer. A research adviser will be assigned to students in their first semester. Students in the non-thesis option must write a satisfactory scholarly paper while enrolled in MATSE 596 Individual Studies. A total of 6 credits of MATSE 596 will be taken, 1 credit each in the fall and spring, and 4 credits in the summer. It is expected that the scholarly paper will be submitted and approved at the end of the summer semester. Students who need more time to complete the final paper will be allowed to complete the paper, and have it reviewed and approved after the third semester has ended. Students are not required to remain in residence while they complete the final paper. However, extensions granted to students in this program must comply with the Graduate Council policy on deferred grades. Finally, at least 21 of the 30 credits for the accelerated degree option must be formal coursework, not counting credits for research, professional development, or colloquium.

Minimum total credits: 30 credits
Minimum research credits: 6 credits
Minimum formal course credits: 21 credits
Minimum 500-level credits: 12 credits
Core graduate course credits: 9 credits
Seminar: 2 credits/year
Scholarship and research integrity credits: Online training and 1 credit of MatSE 582 (Materials Science and Engineering Professional Development)
Minimum GPA for graduation: 3.00
Thesis requirement: A scholarly paper must be completed

Accelerated Masters of Science

Frequently asked questions about the one-year, Accelerated Masters of Science degree program offered by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Penn State, University Park