Division of Materials Science & Engineering

Materials science & engineering (MSE) involves students in an amazing breadth and depth of research, ranging from studies of the mechanical properties of human bone to nanomechanical devices working at the quantum limits to deep UV sources to provide enough clean drinking water for the world’s thirsty inhabitants. MSE is pushing the frontiers of science and engineering, and in doing so, creating technologies that are positively impacting the lives of people around the world.

The MSE program engages faculty from all engineering disciplines at BU, as well as from the departments of Physics and Chemistry and the Division of Restorative Science/Biomaterials in the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. Students focus on biomaterials, nanomaterials, materials for energy and environment, or electronic and photonic materials.

For undergraduates, the program offers an MSE minor, which can be used to supplement studies in another major field and provide students with a foundation in the discipline. Coursework covers a range of topics from the basics of materials science and processing to thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and quantum physics.

At the graduate level, MSE offers the Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Science, and Master of Engineering with curricula designed to provide students with interdisciplinary training that combines fundamental materials science—covering quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, kinetics, and materials properties—with engineering applications in rapidly growing areas of biotechnology, nanotechnology, microelectronics, photonics, and energy. Students in the program have access to state-of-the-art computational and experimental facilities for use during classes and on research projects ranging from biomaterials, electronic and photonic materials, energy and the environment, and nanomaterials.