Course requirements for our graduate programs. All three share a common materials core; the grid below shows where they differ.
MSE core courses
✓ = required core course. Courses marked as an option are not required core courses, but they count toward the additional MSE prefix credits in your program. Ph.D. and M.S. students must earn a 3.3 GPA in their core courses
| Course | Credits | Ph.D. | M.S. Plan A | M.M.E. |
| MSE 500* Foundations of Materials Science | 3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MSE 501 Materials Technology Transfer | 1 | ✓ | ✓ | Option for additional MSE credits |
| MSE 502A MSE Methods: Materials Structure and Scattering | 1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MSE 502B MSE Methods: Computational Materials Methods | 1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MSE 502C MSE Methods: Microscopy | 1 | Optional elective | Optional elective | ✓ |
| MSE 503 Mechanical Behaviors of Materials | 3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MSE 504 Thermodynamics of Materials | 3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MSE 505 Kinetics of Materials | 3 | ✓ | Choose one: 505 or 523 | ✓ |
| MSE 523 Electronic Properties of Materials | 3 | ✓ | Choose one: 505 or 523 | ✓ |
| Core Credits | 18 | 15 | 18 |
*If you have a degree in materials science and engineering or a related field, you are exempt from MSE 500. Instead, take 3 additional credits of MSE prefix regular coursework. If you choose to take MSE 500, it counts toward your minimum credits.
Beyond the core
Ph.D., Materials Science & Engineering
Doctoral · 72 credits minimum
| Requirement | Credits |
| MSE core courses | 18 |
| MSE prefix regular coursework | 3 |
| Selected prefix regular coursework: BIOM, CBE, CHEM, CIVE, ECE, MATH, MECH, MSE, PH, STAT (500-level+) | 3 |
| MSE 799 Dissertation | min. 6 |
| Additional courses | 42 |
| Total | 72 |
Also required:
- 3.0 overall GPA; 3.3 GPA in core courses
- Only one 3-credit 400-level course counts toward the minimum; all other credits must be 500-level or above
- Responsible Conduct of Research training
- Annual Ph.D. evaluation (mandatory every year)
- Dissertation and final defense
M.S. Plan A (thesis), Materials Science & Engineering
Master’s · 30 credits minimum
| Requirement | Credits |
| MSE core courses | 15 |
| MSE prefix regular coursework | 3 |
| MSE 699 Thesis | 3 |
| Additional courses | 9 |
| Total | 30 |
Also required:
- 3.0 overall GPA; 3.3 GPA in core courses
- Only one 3-credit 400-level course counts toward the minimum; all other credits must be 500-level or above
- Responsible Conduct of Research training
- Thesis and final defense
Master of Materials Engineering (M.M.E.)
Master’s · 30 credits · on campus or online
| Requirement | Credits |
| MSE core courses | 18 |
| Additional MSE regular courses: choose from MSE 431 Metals and Alloys (3), MSE 501 Materials Technology Transfer (1), MSE 502D Spectroscopy (1), MSE 502E Bulk Properties & Performance (1) | min. 6 |
| Elective regular courses | min. 6 |
| Total | 30 |
Also required:
- 3.0 overall GPA
- All 30 credits in regular coursework; at least 24 must be MSE subject code
- Only one 3-credit 400-level course counts toward the minimum; all other credits must be 500-level or above
- Coursework only: no thesis or research project
Studying online? See the online M.M.E. through CSU Online
Current students: a fillable coursework checklist for your program is available in the SMSE Teams channel.