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4+1: Bachelor's + Master of Science Degree Program

Duke undergraduates: Earn bachelor's and master’s degrees in just 5 years

Who is eligible

For this 4+1:Bachelors+Master of Science (MS) program, the bachelor’s degree can be from any of the eight participating academic departments in the Duke University Program in Materials Science and Engineering:

How it Works

It requires planning. You work with your advisor and directors of undergraduate and graduate studies to develop a personal academic plan—four years as an undergraduate and one year of graduate study.

Up to four graduate courses are taken during your undergraduate study. The courses are not used to fulfill any undergraduate degree requirements (including a minor or certificate) and are transferred to your graduate transcript.

The transfer of credits requires students to receive a “B” or better. Only credit hours transfer; grades earned will not be used to calculate graduate GPA.

As you prepare to graduate from your bachelor's program, you apply to the University Program in Materials Science and Engineering's Master of Science degree program. During the following year, you complete your graduate studies.

When to Apply

  • Apply for spring admission to our MS program during the fall semester of your senior year
  • The application deadline is October 1

Sample CurriculA

It is essential to follow a recommended curriculum to complete your MS degree within one year of your bachelor’s.

Two options are shown in this chart:

Option 1

Option 2

Senior Year

Fall

Fall

Elective (level 500+)

CHEM 544: Statistical Mechanics
or
ECE 521: Quantum Mechanics

ME 560: MatSci Seminar

ME 560: MatSci Seminar

Spring

Spring

Elective (level 500+)

ME 511: Computational Materials Science

ME 560: MatSci Seminar

ME 560: MatSci Seminar

+1 Year

Summer

Summer

Elective (MSEG 591: Independent Study)

Elective (MSEG 591: Independent Study)

Fall

Fall

CHEM 548: Solid State/Materials Chemistry

CHEM 548: Solid State/Materials Chemistry

ME 562: Materials Synthesis & Processing

ME 562: Materials Synthesis & Processing

CHEM 544: Statistical Mechanics
or
ECE 521: Quantum Mechanics

Elective (level 500+)

ME 560: MatSci Seminar

ME 560: MatSci Seminar

Spring

Spring

ME 563: Fundamentals of Soft Matter

ME 563: Fundamentals of Soft Matter

ECE 511/NANO 511: Found. Nano. Sci. & Tech.
or
ME 711/ECE 721: Nano. Mat. Lab

ECE 511/NANO 511: Found. Nano. Sci. & Tech.
or
ME 711/ECE 721: Nano. Mat. Lab

ME 511: Computational Materials Science

Elective (level 500+)

MS Project Exam

MS Project Exam

Learn more

Please contact the Director of Graduate Studies for the University Program in Materials Science and Engineering:

Adrienne Stiff-RobertsAdrienne Stiff-Roberts

Director of Graduate Studies
Jeffrey N. Vinik Professor
+1 919 660-5560
adrienne.stiffroberts@duke.edu