Overview: Materials Science and Engineering Program
Few fields of science or engineering are not concerned in some way with materials. Indeed, the need for materials is as pervasive in our lives as is the need for energy. It has been estimated that the work of one in three engineers is directly related to materials, while over half of all engineers have at least an indirect concern for the properties of materials.
Materials science deals with fundamental properties and characteristics of materials and combines engineering with physics and chemistry, and uses them to solve real-world problems. The area of specialization in the present world of materials science and engineering are nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, energy, manufacturing, and other major engineering fields. Materials scientists may work with ceramics, electronics, energy, liquids crystals, metals, composites, semiconductors and nanomaterials in order to understand their properties, their applications and develop new materials with enhanced materials properties.
The master's degree program in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) at Catholic University caters to students from all over the world and to working professionals in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. The master's degree program in MSE is intended to meet the needs of engineers and scientists in the region working at:
- National laboratories including (but not restricted to) ARL, NSWC, NRL, NIH, NIST and FDA and their subsidiaries
- National Science Foundation and all other government agencies administering research funds
- Departments of Defense, Energy, Homeland Security; EPA
- US Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent attorney firms
- Start-up and established commercial companies involved with advanced materials, nanotechnology, technical ceramics manufacturing and R&D outfits