Wondering what Materials Science and Engineering is all about? Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) studies materials and how they can be used to create new products or improve existing ones. You'll combine study in physics, chemistry and engineering to understand the properties of materials and how we can alter them to meet specific needs.
Everything around us, from metal and plastic to glass and ceramics, is made of materials - meaning materials engineers and scientists are involved in every aspect of technology. When you study Materials Science and Engineering, you can work on designing new materials for use in electronic circuits, electric vehicles, water purification systems, medical implants, and green energy generation and storage. Qualified Materials Science Engineers and professionals also work towards environmental progress by developing sustainable processes and recyclable eco-friendly products. Developing products for healthy living, sustainability and environmental responsibility are core concepts in materials development and application.
Materials Science and Engineering is leading the way in developments that will improve our environment, health, standard of living, national security, and economic prosperity. This is one of the most contemporary degrees of its kind in Australia, with a strong emphasis on societal impact.
During your degree you'll gain the necessary professional and sustainable mindset required for a successful career as a materials engineer. Your study combines lectures, practical hands-on laboratory work, research and design projects. To give you a holistic skillset, you'll study professional communication, computing, data analytics, engineering management, materials life cycle assessment and industry training.
Study with the best
Materials Science at UNSW is ranked equal 30th in the world and 1st in Australia.* The School of Materials Science and Engineering is uniquely positioned to shape the next generation of materials engineering graduates with a passion for making a positive difference to the world. The School’s team of leading educators and state-of-the-art teaching, computing, materials processing, characterisation, and property testing facilities provides you with a world-class education and industrial training environment that prepares you for a significant and fulfilling professional career.
Leverage our industry partnerships
We have a number of partnerships and collaborations with leading industry names including Cochlear, Boral, CSIRO, BHP, Hitachi Chemical Limited, OneSteel and Weir Minerals. Our strong industry links provide you with great opportunities to develop valuable relationships with Australian and international materials engineering enterprises.
Connect with world class research centres, hubs, and institutes
UNSW is home to advanced developments in the fields of materials science and engineering, biomedical engineering, and sustainable materials processing, and many of our staff are affiliated with one or more of the following centres, hubs and institutes:
- UNSW Centre for Sustainable Materials Research & Technology
- UNSW Future Materials & Manufacturing Institute
- The Australian Centre for NanoMedicine
- ARC Centre for Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies.
- ARC Research Hub for Connected Sensors for Health
- ARC Research Hub for Transforming Waste in Cost Effective Green Manufacturing
- ARC Research Hub for Fire Resilience Infrastructure, Assets and Safety Advancements
- ARC Training Centre for Innovative Composites for the Future of Sustainable Mining Equipment
- Baosteel-Australia Joint Research Centre