Established in 1962, the UVA Department of Materials Science and Engineering addresses societal needs by providing cutting-edge research solutions and educating the leaders of tomorrow — in the classroom, in the lab and beyond.

Academic Programs

Through our degree programs, we help students translate fundamental discoveries at the nanoscale into materials that benefit society. Our graduate programs will prepare you to excel and adapt to an evolving, open-ended future, as part of a mutually supportive and inclusive community. Our undergraduate programs offer students a fundamental background in the structure, properties, processing, and performance of materials that is essential to understanding the selection of materials for various applications.

Research

We conduct innovative research in fundamental and applied areas that have significant impact on the nation’s technology priorities for the benefit of society.

Our primary research thrusts are corrosion and electrochemistry; structural materials; electronic, magnetic and optical properties of materials; and soft materials.

Core strengths in materials synthesis, characterization, advanced high-temperature materials and computation and materials informatics underpin and integrate these research areas.

Our track record of success with government and private-sector funding sources positions us to play an active role in translating fundamental research results into real-world applications. Our research environment promotes respect, collaboration, student experience, innovation and impact to deliver excellence through diversity.

Get and Stay Engaged

Read our most recent e-newsletters. New Materials for Chips, Ships, Combustion Engines and Human Tissue (Fall 2022 issue); Future Leaders in Sustainability (Summer 2022 issue)

Flip through our 2021 annual newsletter, Depth of Substance, and our archived issues.

Scroll through our feature stories and announcements.

UVA MSE at a Glance:  View and download our information brochure

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