Our MS is an advanced degree culminating in a research project
Materials science and engineering are about designing a better world—Advance your career with a master's degree with specialized core courses and access to expert graduate seminars.
The degree can be completed in about 18 months to two years. Duke undergraduates can complete this master's with just a fifth year of study.
"I left Duke with a deeper understanding of how to confront materials questions and an appreciation for the current state of technologies—both vital to my career success."
ABIGAIL MRVOS
Materials Scientist
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Program Details
- Degree Requirements
- In the first year, six courses must be selected from eight core courses:
FALL:
CHEM 548: Fundamentals of Solid-State Materials
CHEM 544: Statistical Mechanics - OR - ECE 521: Quantum Mechanics
ME 562: Materials Synthesis and Processing
SPRING:
ME 563: Fundamentals of Soft Matter
ME 511: Computational Materials Science
ECE/NANOSCI 511: Foundations of Nanoscale Science and Technology - OR -ECE 721/ME 711: Nanotechnology Materials Lab/Advanced Materials Lab OR PHYS 670: Experimental Methods in Condensed Matter Physics
- For the first three semesters, the Materials Science & Engineering Graduate Seminar is required.
- In the second year, three elective courses are required. A maximum of one elective course may be replaced with an independent study to receive course credit for the Research Project.
- In addition to this coursework, a Research Project is required, beginning in the first semester of the program. The project exam occurs during the third or fourth semester.
- Required Academic Integrity and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training must be completed in the first semester.
- In the first year, six courses must be selected from eight core courses:
- Sample Study Plan
Fall Semester Spring Semester Year 1 CHEM 548 Solid State/Materials Chemistry
ME 562 Materials Synthesis & Processing
ME 560 Materials Science & Engineering Seminar
Choose One:
- CHEM 544: Statistical Mechanics
- ECE 521 Quantum Mechanics
ME 563 Fundamentals of Soft Matter
ME 511 Computational Materials Sciences
ME 560: Materials Science & Engineering Seminar
Choose One:
- ECE 511/NANO 511 Foundations of Nanoscale Science & Technology
- ME 711/ECE 721 Nanotechnology Materials Lab
- PHYS 670 Experimental Methods in Condensed Matter Physics
Year 2 Elective 1
Elective 2
ME 560 Materials Science & Engineering Seminar
MS Project
Elective 3
MS Project
Project Exam
- Cost
More information about tuition, fees, and other costs of attendance can be found on the Duke Graduate School website »
- For Duke Undergraduates
This degree program is eligible for Duke's 4+1 program, in which Duke undergraduates can earn a bachelor’s degree and master's in just five years. Students can be in any of the program's eight participating academic departments. More about 4+1 »
- Application Deadlines
The priority deadline is January 31, 2025. All applications received by March 13, 2025, are guaranteed review.
- How to Apply
Apply through Duke's Graduate School.
On your application, select:
- Intended Degree: Master's
- Department/degree: Materials Science and Engineering - M.S.