Materials Science

You may access the OSU Graduate School application directly through the Graduate School. The online application process is self-guided.

On your application, you will be asked to identify potential mentors to be your research advisor. For M.S. or Ph.D. applicants, this is very important as the person(s) you identify will likely review your application. Make sure you choose faculty who are aligned with your research interests.

All applicants will be reviewed on their academic preparation, graduate school skills and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. M.S. or Ph.D. applicants with also be rated on their research readiness. There are specific questions in the application that address these items. It is very important that you complete these questions in order to be considered for admission.

Priority Deadline for Applications

If you are seeking a graduate assistantship, and wish to be included in the priority consideration pool, you must complete and submit the University application by December 31

What is the difference between M.Eng., M.S. and Ph.D. program options you offer?

We offer four different graduate degree options in the Materials Science Program. The M.S. and Ph.D. program require a research advisor, for the M.Eng. program a major professor will be assigned to you.

M.Eng. degree requires 45 credits of coursework. Student will write a portfolio document that will serve as their final assessment. This is a great option for self-funded students who would like an advanced degree.

M.S. Thesis combines 45 credits of course work and research credits. Student will write a thesis document that will be published by the university.

M.S. Project combines 45 credits of coursework and research credits. Student will write a project document that will not be published by the University. This option is used in cases where project sponsors restrict publication of data or when a student is working towards a Ph.D... and would like to obtain an M.S. along the way.

Ph.D. combines 108 credits of coursework and research credits. Students are required to produce original research that expands the boundaries of knowledge in their field and will write a dissertation that will be published by the University.

Can I switch from M.Eng. to M.S. or Ph.D. after I join OSU?

M.Eng. students are admitted under the expectation that they are pursuing a coursework only degree (no research). If during your time at OSU, you find a research advisor and project you would like to work with, it is possible to change to a M.S. or Ph.D. Note that, you must complete at least one year of coursework before changing degree types.

Are there any funded positions available for incoming students?

All students, regardless of domestic/international status, are eligible to be awarded a graduate research assistantship (GRA) and/or graduate teaching assistantships (GTA) position, however it is very competitive. These positions cover your tuition, benefits and salary. These funds are allocated by individual faculty members so it important to identify prospective advisors prior to applying. M.Eng. students are typically self-funded and not considered for funded positions. Scholarships and tuition waivers are rare and only used in special circumstances (i.e., in combinations with external fellowships).

Are GRE test scores required?

GRE scores are not required for any applicant. However, if you have taken the GRE, you may submit your scores in your application.

Do you accept applications for the winter/spring term or only for fall admissions?

It is recommended that you apply during the fall admission cycle because this is when most faculty are recruiting and considering students. If you need to start later than fall you can ask for a deferment to a later term after you are admitted. Apply by December 31 for full consideration. No applications will be accepted after April 30 for the upcoming academic year.

Is it possible to waive the application fee?

In cases of extreme need, an individual faculty member can request a waiver of the application fee for a prospective student they intend to recruit. Students may not make this request directly. Your future advisor will make this request to the program director and you will be provided a code to waive the application fee, if approved.

Do international students have a disadvantage when it comes to applying directly to the Ph.D. program or funding?

We do not discriminate between domestic and international students in terms of admission or funding. However, it is a highly competitive process. No M.S. or Ph.D. student will be admitted without a research advisor willing to mentor them (regardless of funding). It is important to research the Material Science faculty and identify potential advisors aligned with your skills and interest in your application. M.Eng. students are self-funded and do not need to identify a research advisor. Admission into this program is less competitive. Applicants must still meet all of the graduate school requirements for admission.

How do I apply for a graduate assistantship?

There is no separate application process for graduate assistantships, you will automatically be given full consideration for graduate assistantships. For almost all graduate assistantships, including both teaching and research assistantships, the selection process is determined by individual faculty members. Therefore, the best approach is to directly contact faculty members with research activities that aligns with your interests and research skills. It is important to correctly identify faculty members in your area of interest on your application. This will route your application to them for review.

As a Master of Science Materials Science student at Oregon State, you will pursue one of the following program options:

Thesis option

The M.S. MatSci thesis option involves original materials science research or the novel application of existing materials science knowledge to a practical problem. Your research topic must be approved by your graduate committee and your work will be supervised and graded by your major professor. In addition, your research title must be registered with the Graduate School and your thesis must be reviewed and approved by the Graduate School.

Project option 

With the M.S. MatSci project option, you will fulfill the Graduate School’s research-in-lieu-of-thesis requirement by completing a project in which you apply materials science knowledge and methods to a practical problem. The project must be approved by your graduate committee and will be supervised and graded by your major professor. As with the thesis option, you will document your project with a final report, but project reports are not reviewed and approved by the Graduate School.

The Master of Engineering degree in Materials Science offers students the opportunity to pursue advanced study in the field of materials science without also having to complete a research thesis or project. This coursework-only degree is concerned with the practical application of specialized, graduate-level engineering knowledge.

The Ph.D. in Materials Science at Oregon State University requires coursework and research. Students must complete original research, culminating in a dissertation. The program offers flexibility in course selection to support diverse research interests. Admission requires a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree.

A graduate minor degree in Materials Science is available to students that complete ME 570 plus additional core coursework totaling 15 credits (M.S. minor) or 18 credits (Ph.D. minor). A member of the Materials Science Graduate Faculty (not from the student's home department) must serve as the Minor Professor on the committee.

A graduate minor is an academic area that clearly supports the major. On a master's or doctoral program, a minor may be:

1. an academic area available only as a minor,
2. a different major,
3. the same major with a different area of concentration,
4. an approved major at another institution in the Oregon University System, or
5. an integrated minor.

An integrated minor consists of a series of cognate courses from two or more areas. These courses must be outside the major area of concentration, with most of the courses being outside the major department. The graduate faculty member representing the integrated minor must be from outside the major department. Graduate minors are listed on the student's transcript.

An individual course cannot be double-counted as satisfying both a major requirement and a minor requirement.

Elective courses (approved by the student's committee and the Program Director) will be selected by the student under guidance from the advisor. These courses can be used by the student to receive further training in fundamentals and to explore new areas in support of their research.