From Atoms to Life-Changing Materials Materials Science and Engineering
Materials are essential to our everyday lives. Can you think of a moment whereby you live without materials?
Self-healing concrete wall
Scan QR code for more details.
Memory alloy braces
Eco-friendly bio-based wall paint
Wearable health tracking sensor
Nitrogeninfused PEBA sport shoes
Transparent conducting oxide display
Scratch-resistant smart watch screen
What is Materials Science and Engineering?
Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is an interdisciplinary field focused on understanding, designing, and developing materials that make up the physical world. It combines principles from physics, chemistry, engineering, and other disciplines to study the relationships between the structure, characteristics, and performance of materials.
Nanocrystalline smart windows
Solar reflective paint
Why MSE Matters?
MSE is crucial because materials are the foundation of virtually every technology and product in modern society. By understanding, designing, and optimising materials, MSE enables advancements across countless industries, from healthcare to energy, transportation, and electronics.
From developing high-temperature alloys for jet engines to flexible materials for wearable electronics or shape-memory polymers for minimally invasive surgeries, MSE bridges the gap between science and engineering, enabling innovation in technologies by tailoring material properties for specific needs.
MSE in Daily Applications and High-Level Research
MSE is deeply embedded in our daily lives and advances our understanding of materials at the atomic and molecular levels, addressing some of the worldās most complex challenges in:
Microelectronics and Quantum Materials
Nanotechnology
Sustainable Energy Materials
Eco-friendly lithiumion battery powered eBike
Robotics
Biomaterials and regenerative medicine
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Materials
What Makes Us Different
Learn from a Nobel Laureate and Other World-Renowned Experts
Our faculty includes world-renowned experts like Professor Sir Konstantin āKostyaā Sergeevich Novoselov, a Nobel Prize winner in Physics (2010) for his groundbreaking work on graphene. Professor Novoselov is the first Nobel Laureate to join a Singaporean university. Professor Benjamin Teeās electronic āskinā simulates the human sensory system, exemplifying the innovative spirit of MSE and bringing hope to patients requiring prosthetic limbs.
Personalised Learning
Learning and Discovering AI in Materials
At MSE, students harness AI as a new scientific paradigm for materials discovery and design. By uniting data-driven intelligence with first-principles understanding, our curriculum enables students to navigate complex materials spaces, uncover hidden structureāproperty relationships, and innovate at unprecedented speed. AI is not an add-onāit is a multiplier for scientific and technological impact.
Personalised Mentorship
Our personalised mentorship meets individual studentsā unique needs, goals, and aspirations. Mentors provide customised advice on academic choices, career planning, and personal development through one-on-one interactions. This targeted support empowers students to excel academically and professionally, fostering confidence and self-growth.
Support from Department
MSE fosters a closely knit community. With a large pool of academic staff, it provides one-onone mentoring, helping to maintain a balanced female-to-male ratio. MSE undergraduates are free to tailor their studies to their own goals and interests, whether in research, industry or technopreneurship. They are encouraged to broaden their horizons through exchange programmes at our overseas colleges or partner universities.
Our department offers extensive support to undergraduate students through mentorship, mental health resources, and peer support networks, fostering academic and personal growth. We collaborate with leading overseas universities to organise workshops, seminars, and networking events, building professional skills and connections. We also provide access to research opportunities, internships, and industry projects, preparing students for future success. Additionally, we offer the MSE Study Award to support high-achieving students.
Nobel Laureate - Prof Sir Konstantin Novoselov
Programme Overview
The MSE programme is a four-year undergraduate degree (or three years with advanced placement for polytechnic diploma holders) that combines solid foundation in solid state physics and chemistry with practical aspects of materials design and engineering. Besides theoretical training, experimental work forms a crucial component of the MSE curriculum, paving the way for students to specialise in their desired career paths in research, industry practice or technopreneurship.
Build Your Own Degree
Ian Sim Ee En Bachelor of Engineering (Materials Science and Engineering), Class of 2024
Student at Duke-NUS Medical School
MSE students have the option to expand their expertise through double degrees, second majors or minors in a variety of disciplines:
ā¢ BEng Double Degree in MSE with Business Administration
ā¢ BEng in MSE and Doctor of Medicine (eight-year programme with Duke-NUS)
ā¢ Double major in MSE with Innovation & Design
ā¢ Minor programmes are available in Data Engineering, Optics and Semiconductors, Mathematics, Cultural Studies, Technopreneurship, Analytical Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Artificial Intelligence and more.
The programme also offers extensive overseas and industrial opportunities, including:
ā¢ Student Exchange Programme (SEP)
ā¢ International Summer (& Winter) Programmes (i-SP)
ā¢ NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC)
ā¢ Other Global Internship experiences
NUS offers financial aid such as bursaries, awards and loans.
For more information on MSE Study Award, scan this QR code.
Academic Journey
For A-Level, International Baccalaureate and NUS High School Diploma Students
Year 1
Students begin their journey by establishing a solid foundation in engineering, mathematics and science, complemented by an introduction to data analytics and project management. Engagement in MSE student club activities broadens networks and provides insights into the field, enhancing the campus experience.
AI in MSE
MSE students in Year 2 and 3 have the option to explore further into a specialisation in AI in MSE. The curriculum evolves from digital foundations to expert application. Year 2 establishes statistical rigor with Uncertainty Analysis. Year 3 integrates AI into the lab: in Machine Learning Approaches in Materials Laboratory (MLE3112), you move beyond theory to apply algorithms that predict properties and accelerate materials design.
Year 4
Students apply their comprehensive knowledge of materials to address industrial challenges. The Final Year Project offers a range of research opportunities, allowing students to explore advanced topics. Handson experience in materials processing and exploration of machine learningās impact on materials development equip students with innovative skills in the field.
Year 2
The curriculum deepens with core principles of Materials Science and Engineering courses, including an introduction to artificial intelligence. The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Programme (UROP) is available for students interested in exploring research opportunities early in their academic career.
Year 3
Opportunities for international exposure are available through student exchange programmes at prestigious universities worldwide. For those interested in entrepreneurship, the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) programme offers insights into the startup culture. Industrial attachments and vacation internships provide practical exposure to the materials industries, enriching studentsā understanding and experience.
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Academic Journey
Polytechnic diploma holders with granted advanced placement
Year 2
Students dive deeper into specialised areas of materials including an introduction to artificial intelligence, gaining exposure to materials processing, characterisation techniques, and modelling tools for modern materials research and industry applications. The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Programme (UROP) is available for students interested in exploring research opportunities early in their academic career.
Year 1
In the first year, students transition into Materials Science and Engineering by strengthening their fundamentals, covering core topics such as materials characterisation, thermodynamics, and structureāproperty relationships. Essential engineering skills are also developed through laboratory work, computation, and design-based modules. Participation in MSE student club activities broadens networks, offers valuable insights into the field, and enriches the overall campus experience.
Year 3
Students apply their knowledge in practiceoriented or research-focused settings. They undertake a Final Year Project (FYP), industry attachments, or design modules that simulate real-world challenges. By graduation, you will be equipped with strong scientific foundations, hands-on technical skills, and industry-relevant experience to better position yourself in your future career.
Our Six Specialisations
MSE is one of the most diverse and flexible disciplines within engineering and science. Below are some of our six specialisations:
Biomedical Materials
This specialisation combines Material Science and Engineering, with Biomedical applications, providing expertise for development and innovation used in medical and healthcare.
Artificial Intelligence in MSE
This specialisation focuses on integrating AI techniques with Materials Science for enhanced discovery and innovation, and equips students with the skills to use AI and data science to drive breakthroughs in materials discovery, design, and optimisation.
Materials for Renewable Energy and Sustainability
This specialisation focuses on developing materials that enable sustainable energy solutions and address environmental challenges, and prepares students to contribute to sustainable energy solutions, focusing on the development of innovative materials for clean energy, waste reduction, and environmental protection.
Career Opportunities:
The multidisciplinary nature of Materials Science and Engineering enables professionals to work at the intersection of physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering, addressing challenges across a broad spectrum of industries.
Health Professionals Sector
Nanostructured Materials and Nanotechnology
This specialisation focuses on the design, fabrication, and application of nanomaterials for advanced technologies, and prepares students to innovate in nanotechnology, with applications spanning energy, electronics, materials science, and more.
Robotics
This specialisation focuses on the integration of advanced and intelligent materials to enhance robotic systems and equips students with the skills to design and develop robots to be smarter and capable of interacting effectively with humans in diverse settings.
Microelectronics and Quantum Materials
This specialisation focuses on the materials and technologies driving advancements in microelectronics and quantum computing, and prepares students for careers in cuttingedge technologies, including microelectronics, quantum computing, and photonics, with a focus on advanced materials and fabrication techniques.
Materials For Renewable Energy and Sustainability Sector
Nanostructured
Materials & Nanotechnology Sector
Soft Robotics
Sector
Functional
Intelligent
Materials Sector
Biomedical
Materials Sector
Microelectronic & Quantum
Materials Sector
Startups & Smart
Nation Sector
Aerospace Sector
Overview Of Your Career Progression
MATERIALS ENGINEER
Materials engineers typically progress through various career stages as they gain experience and expertise.
Senior
Materials Engineer
Mid-level Materials Engineer
Junior Materials Engineer
Focuses on learning industry standards, lab techniques, and software tools.
Leads projects, collaborates with other engineers, and contributes to innovation.
Principal Engineer
Provides high-level technical guidance, patents and innovation.
Develops new materials, improves existing ones, and ensures quality control.
Engineer Director
Focuses on strategic planning, budgeting, and resource allocation.
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Shapes company direction regarding business strategy, materials innovation and sustainability.
Junior Materials Scientist
Focuses on data analysis, lab techniques, and literature reviews.
Mid-level Materials Scientist
Gains expertise in a specific area and leads small research projects and writes research papers or patents.
Senior Materials Scientist
Principal Scientist
Recognised as an expert in a specialised area of materials science, and shapes research directions in their field, contributing to major scientific advancements.
Leads major research projects and develops novel materials for realworld applications.
Chief Scientist
Develops roadmaps for future materials technology, and plays a leadership role in policy-making, sustainability, and commercialisation.
Professor
Secures research grants, leads independent research groups in universities, and supervises postgraduate students.
MATERIALS SCIENTIST
The career progression for a Materials Scientist follows a similar path to that of a Materials Engineer but with a stronger focus on research, discovery, and theoretical aspects of materials.
How We Prepare Our Students for the World of Artificial Intelligence
Todayās materials engineers must think beyond traditional boundaries. At MSE, we prepare students for an AI-driven future by seamlessly integrating artificial intelligence, data science, and computational modelling into materials education. Students learn not only how materials behave, but how data and algorithms can reveal patterns, accelerate discovery, and guide rational design of materials.
Through coursework, projects, and research-led teaching, students gain exposure to key AI-enabled applications, including:
AI for Materials Discovery
Predicting novel alloys, ceramics, and functional materials with targeted properties.
Computational Modelling & Simulation
Accelerating materials design using machine learningaccelerated simulations.
Smart Manufacturing
Applying AI to process optimisation, quality monitoring, and predictive maintenance.
Student Activities
The MSE Clubās student-led āSave the Eggā Challenge engaged over 50 pre-university students in a hands-on outreach event blending learning and competition. The winning design survived an impressive 9.70 m drop, showcasing creativity and engineering thinking.
Sustainable Materials Design
Using data-driven approaches to optimise energy use, recycling, and life-cycle performance.
Data-Driven Characterisation
Automating the analysis of structure, microstructure and defects with computer vision.
Our graduates are equipped to lead at the intersection of materials innovation and AI across industry, research, and entrepreneurship.
In collaboration with MSE Club, the department organised a visit to King Mongkutās University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB), where students joined the freshmen Oath of Allegiance Ceremony. They took part in hands-on challenges, competitions, and workshops, from robotics to Thai cooking, experiencing teamwork and the vibrant campus culture.
Profiles of Current Students
Hamsa Shrinivasa
Bachelor of Engineering
(Materials Science and Engineering), Class of 2029
Recipient of 2025 MSE Study Award
āMSE offers a high-quality, wellrounded education that prepares me to make a real impact in materials science. The programme gives me opportunities to explore different industries through seminars, while professors and mentors provide guidance to shape my academic and career aspirations, especially in sustainability.ā
Zheng
Zhikang Lionel
Bachelor of Engineering (Materials Science and Engineering), Class of 2028 Engineering Scholars
Nguyen Hong Gia
Nghi
Bachelor of Engineering
(Materials Science and Engineering), Class of 2029
Recipient of Double Scholarships at NUS for Bachelorās & Masterās degrees
āDiscovering my interest in MSE early pushed me to explore advanced courses, research and enrichment programmes that tested and strengthened my passion for the field. With that clarity, I could focus on opportunities that aligned with my goals and speak confidently in interviews about how MSE shapes my future aspirations.ā
āMSE has shaped my aspirations by teaching me to approach problems with curiosity and creativity. Open-ended lab sessions helped me see failure as part of learning, a mindset I now carry beyond the classroom. I chose MSE for its strong research culture and interdisciplinary foundation in chemistry, physics and engineering, which allows me to explore different interests while building solid fundamentals. Taking part in a computing-focused hackathon was a meaningful experience that showed me how MSE perspectives can contribute across disciplines.ā
Admission Requirements
Singapore-Cambridge GCE āAā Level
A pass in H2 Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
Polytechnic Diploma
An accredited diploma.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
A pass in HL Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches.
NUS High School Diploma
A good major GPA in Mathematics.
International Qualifications
Applicants presenting international qualifications may apply with equivalent high school results.
