Master of Materials Engineering (MME)

Program Summary

Our Master of Materials Engineering (MME) program offers a coursework-only, non-thesis degree (online or on-campus) tailored for professionals looking to enhance their knowledge in materials science and engineering.

The program provides a comprehensive understanding of the core MSE triad: processing, structure, and property relations.

Most full-time students (9+ credits per semester) complete the program within one to two years. Part-time students (3-6 credits per semester) typically finish within four to five years.

Below are curriculum and requirements for the on-campus MME.

Visit CSU online to learn about our MME online program.

 

MME Curriculum (30 credits)

  • Minimum 30 credits
  • At least 24 credits must be MSE subject coursework
  • Only one 3 credit 400-level course counts toward the total minimum requirements
  • 3.0 Cumulative GPA

Course descriptions can be found on the MSE course catalog page.

  • MSE 501- Tech Transfer (1cr)
    The pathways toward commercialization of materials from research. Case studies, technology readiness levels, proposal writing, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property practices.
  • MSE 502A- Materials Structure and Scattering (1 cr)
    Introduction to the atomic level arrangements of materials, defects related to these structures, and X-ray Diffraction, X-ray scattering, and electron diffraction methods.
  • MSE 502B- MSE Methods: Computational Materials Methods (1 cr)
    Introduction to mathematical and computational methods that are used to model materials: Simulation/Modeling, Monte-Carlo, Monte-Carlo Potts, Density Functional Theory, and other approaches.
  • MSE 502C- MSE Methods: Microscopy (1 cr)
    Introduction to modern microscopy techniques for materials research using optical microscopy. Interferometry and confocal techniques, scanning electron, microscopy transmission electron microscopy, and scanning probe microscopy.
  • MSE 503- Mechanical Behaviors of Materials (3 cr)
    The mechanical behavior of metals, polymeric, ceramic, and composite materials in mechanical designs considering multiple factors such as structure, processing, and physical properties. Practical and specific performance analyses of structural materials are examined.
  • MSE 504- Thermodynamics of Materials (3 cr)
    The determination of whether and the means by which a given reaction can occur. Macroscopic and microscopic solid-state thermodynamics with experimental methodologies for characterizing them, with a focus on thermodynamic and statistical mechanical aspects of material structure-property relationships.
  • MSE 505- Kinetics of Materials (3 cr)
    The determination of whether and the means by which a given reaction can occur. Macroscopic and microscopic solid-state kinetics with experimental methodologies for characterizing them, with a focus on the kinetic aspects of material structure-property relationships.
  • MSE 523- Electronic Properties of Materials (3 cr)
    Introduction to the electronic properties of materials, including band structures, quantum mechanics and optical characteristics.
  • Professional Development Seminar (pick 2 below)
  • MSE 793A- Professional Development Seminar: MSE and DEI (1 cr)
    Professional and personal skill development regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion as it pertains to opportunities in materials science and engineering.
  • MSE 793B- Professional Development Seminar: Materials and Society (1 cr)
    The connections between materials and society, fusing basic concepts in materials science and engineering with perspectives and methods from anthropology, history, and sociology.
  • MSE 793C- Professional Development Seminar: MSE Careers (1 cr)
    Professional and personal skill development pertaining to careers in materials science and engineering (MSE) and presentations from speakers in various MSE careers roles.
  • MSE 436- Green Engineering–Materials and Environment (3 cr)
    Principles of green engineering in the context of materials, human dependence on materials, and the environmental consequences of materials selection. Perspective, background, methods, and data for evaluating and designing with materials to minimize the environmental impact.
  • MSE 465- Sustainable Strategies for E-Waste Management (3 cr)
    Trans-disciplinary overview of the electronics industry, with an emphasis on sources and impacts of e-waste on human & natural systems. Systems approaches to mitigating environmental and social impacts of electronics–from product design, materials and manufacture to use, re-use, recycle and disposal. Apply learnings in trans-disciplinary project teams to evaluate opportunities for improving the sustainability of the industry and its products.
  • MSE 502D- Spectroscopy (1 cr)
    The investigation and measurement of spectra produced when matter interacts with or emits electromagnetic radiation, including an introduction to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, Raman and infrared, and energy dispersive spectroscopy for materials research.
  • MSE 502E- Bulk Properties and Performance (1 cr)
    Physical properties of materials and how they relate to the functionalization of materials, including their use in electronic, magnetic, optical, and other functional devices.
  • MSE 502F- Experimental Methods for Materials Research (1 cr)
    Modern experimental design methods and techniques for materials research. Topics include vacuum systems, cryogenic experimentation, temperature characterization, data acquisition and digitization, device and circuitry design in the context of materials research.
  • MSE 631- Crystal Defects (1 cr)
    Mechanics, thermodynamics and kinetics of defects in crystalline solids including point defects, dislocations, and grain boundaries.
  • MSE 651- Special Topics (1 cr)
    New or emerging topics in materials science and engineering.

Select from the materials related courses list.

Application Information

For Application information and admission requirements, visit our admissions information page.