Graduate School
Materials Science and Engineering
Program Description
The focus of current advanced materials research at Cornell includes ceramics, complex fluids, metals, polymers, and semiconductors in the form of thin films and in the bulk. Electrical, magnetic, mechanical, optical, and structural properties are investigated. Some special topics of interest are composites, inorganic-organic hybrids, nanocomposites, organic optoelectronics, and, in relation to the structure of materials, the investigation of grain boundaries, surfaces, and structural defects. Also studied are materials synthesis and processing and solid state reactions in model systems. Many faculty are involved in electronic packaging. Numerous interactions exist with other fields at Cornell.
A strong catalyst for materials research activities at Cornell has been provided by the Cornell Center for Materials Research (formerly: Materials Science Center), which provides substantial financial assistance to graduate students and maintains central research facility.
The M.S. program results in a “terminal” master’s degree; it is not related to the Ph.D. program and is not a pathway into the Ph.D. program in Cornell MSE.
Concentrations
- materials engineering
- materials science
Program Information
- Program Mode of Delivery: In Person
- Program Location: Ithaca, NY
Program Requirements
- Minimum Semesters for Degree: 4
Graduate School Milestones
- Responsible Conduct of Research Training: Required
- Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID): Required
- Student Progress Reviews (SPR) begin: Second Year
- Masters Exam (M Exam): Spring of second year
- Thesis: Spring of second year
Field Specific Milestones
- Field progress review conducted in the spring of the first year
Course Requirements
Additional course requirements may be set by the student’s Special Committee. Program specific requirements that apply to all students are included below.
Required in every term
- MSE 8000 Research in Materials Science
- MSE 8010 Materials Science and Engineering Colloquium
- MSE 8020 Materials Science Research Group Seminars
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.
Admissions
Application Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadlines
Fall, February 1
Requirements Summary
Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in engineering or physical science. Additional information about course programs and research areas is available on request from the graduate field office.
- All Graduate School requirements, including the English language proficiency requirement for all applicants
- A minimum iBT TOEFL scores of reading (4 or higher), writing (4 or higher), listening (3.5 or higher), and speaking (4 or higher). Materials science and engineering does not accept the “My Best” iBT TOEFL score.
- The IELTS Academic exam requires a minimum overall band score of 7.0 or higher.
- The GRE General Test is recommended.
- Three letters of recommendation
For questions, please refer to the MSE Admissions Details & Requirements website or email mse-admissions@cornell.edu.
Admissions Contact Information
Email: mse-admissions@cornell.edu
Phone: 607-254-5554
Campus Address: 210 Bard Hall
Website: https://www.mse.cornell.edu/mse/programs/graduate-programs/master-science-ms
