Rutgers logo
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Rutgers logo
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Rutgers logo
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Rutgers logo
Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Message from the Graduate Program Director

Headshot of woman with light red hair wearing black sweater.
Graduate Director and Professor Deirdre O'Carroll 

Welcome to the Graduate Program of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) at Rutgers University. Since our department’s founding in 1902, Rutgers MSE has been at the forefront of driving innovation and solving critical real-world challenges through advanced materials research. Our Graduate Program provides comprehensive training to Masters and PhD students that is grounded both in the physical sciences and in advanced engineering applications. As the most interdisciplinary science and engineering discipline, we have six research focus areas, where students have the scope to expand their education and research to align with their unique career goals and passions. 

At Rutgers MSE, you will work alongside world-class faculty on groundbreaking, interdisciplinary research. Our core research areas span key disciplines that are shaping the future, including: 

  • Glass, Ceramics, and Hard Materials

  •  Batteries, Energy Storage, and Solar Energy Devices 

  • Sustainable Materials 

  • Biomaterials 

  • Materials for Photonics and Electronics 

  • Multiscale Theory and Modeling. 

These research areas are key to the development of real-world technologies and advanced solutions in aerospace, energy generation and energy storage, consumer electronics, information processing and data communications, healthcare and medicine, defense and security, quantum technologies, and intelligent systems and hardware. 

With advanced materials synthesis, modelling, characterization, processing and implementation facilities, our graduate students gain hands-on experience in research that yields real-world impact and high-value innovation. Whether you are preparing to advance into industry, academia, national laboratories, or even to create your own startup company, our community is committed to supporting your intellectual growth and professional success as we strive to bring the future of technology into the present.

I encourage you to reach out to our faculty and staff. and learn more about how you can contribute to our vibrant research community. 

Prof. Deirdre O’Carroll 
Graduate Program Director
Department of Materials Science and Engineering