Materials Engineering

Program Description [back to top]

Students with an interest in the characterization, selection and processing of engineering materials, and in materials problems related to engineering design are encouraged to work toward a Master of Science in Materials Engineering. The degree is very flexible to accommodate the diverse interests and background of a materials engineer. The specific courses that constitute an acceptable study plan are chosen by the student with approval by the Program Director. Examples of acceptable study plans are given below but we encourage students to develop their own individualized study plan.

Application Criteria [back to top]

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or science
  
  
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  
  
• Satisfactory scores on the general portion of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) with a minimum score of 650 on the quantitative portion and 400 on the verbal portion
  
  
• Three Letters of Recommendation
  
  
• Statement of Purpose
  
  
• International students whose first language is not English must submit TOEFL scores of at least:
  
  
  • 250 or higher on the computer-based TOEFL
  • 600 or higher on the paper-based TOEFL
  • 100 or higher on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) with no less than 20 on each of the four individual sections
    

Graduation Requirements [back to top]

• A minimum of 18 units of Materials Science courses
  
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required for graduation.

• Click here for suggested plans of study for Electrochemistry & Corrosion Engineering or Mechanical Behavior of Materials

Course Descriptions [back to top]

Students may elect to work for this degree in either the Materials Science or Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Departments. The specific courses that constitute an acceptable program must be approved in advance by the administering department.

Specialization Tracks [back to top]

Please note that the courses listed above are those available via DEN. Additional course choices are available on campus. Please consult the department website for the complete list of options.

How To Apply [back to top]

In order to evaluate any application for admission, application materials must be submitted by the deadlines listed:

June 15th Fall admission
October 1st Spring admission
February 15th Summer admission

Please complete the application and submit the following to the USC Office of Graduate Admission via the online application system by clicking here.

• Statement of Purpose (optional)
  • The statement of purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program at the Viterbi School of Engineering, your preparation for this field of study, study interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study.




• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Letters of recommendation should be from faculty or others (supervisors, professional colleagues, etc.) qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study. They should be written on official letterhead.

Please arrange to have the following sent to the USC Office of Admission as a hard copy (USC Graduate Office of Admission, University Park Campus, Los Angeles, CA  90089-0915):

• Official Transcript(s) from all post-secondary schools you have attended, and official translations if they are not in English.
  
  
• General GRE scores (no older than 5 years). Official scores must be sent through ETS to the University of Southern California, ETS code 4852)
  
  
• TOEFL scores (required for international students)

NOTE:  If you meet our minimum qualifications, you can get started BEFORE you are formally admitted to USC, as a "LIMITED" student! Click here for more information.

Contact Information [back to top]

For the USC Materials Science and Engineering Department:

Petra Pearce
Student Programs Advisor

Materials Science Program

Tel (213) 740-4339

Fax (213) 740-7797

Email: ppearce@usc.edu

For the USC Distance Education Network (DEN):

Maria Mansfeld
Student Services Advisor
USC Viterbi School of Engineering Distance Education Network (DEN)
Tel: (213) 740-4832
Fax: (213) 821-0851
Email: info@den.usc.edu