About Materials Science and Engineering
Our top-ranked programs drive revolutionary materials solutions.
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering at The Grainger College of Engineering stands among the nation's elite. Consistently ranked among the best undergraduate and graduate programs in U.S. News and World Report rankings, we combine the scale of a major research university with unwavering commitment to excellence, awarding more materials science and engineering degrees than any other program in the country while maintaining the highest academic standards and an emphasis on basic science.
Our graduate program attracts top talent from around the world, driving breakthrough research in quantum materials, semiconductor technology, biomedical innovation and advanced manufacturing. Our undergraduate program prepares the next generation of materials engineers through rigorous academics, hands-on laboratory classes, research and entrepreneurship opportunities, a capstone senior design project and mentorship from faculty leaders in their fields.
With a 150+ year legacy of materials education and research innovation, we're not just studying materials — we're creating the solutions that will define the future landscape of materials.
Our Vision for Materials Leadership
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering charts an ambitious course guided by three strategic priorities: advancing transformational research, cultivating exceptional talent and expanding our global impact.
Our strategic plan positions us to lead at the intersection of emerging technologies, from quantum computing and artificial intelligence to sustainable energy and advanced manufacturing. We're investing in the people, partnerships and infrastructure that will define the next era of materials innovation, ensuring our students and faculty have the resources to tackle the world's most pressing challenges.
Through expanded industry collaborations, strengthened alumni engagement and strategic facility enhancements, we're building a department that not only maintains our elite national rankings but sets the standard for what a premier materials program can achieve in the 21st century.
Leaders in Materials Research
Our faculty and students are driving transformational discoveries where materials science meets society's greatest challenges. Our researchers are advancing quantum computing materials, revealing atomic-scale phenomena never observed in human history and engineering biomaterials that could revolutionize cancer treatment.
The convergence of artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and advanced characterization is fundamentally reshaping materials discovery. Our faculty are pioneering self-healing alloys, next-generation battery materials, high-efficiency catalysts for clean energy and breakthrough techniques in additive manufacturing.
From semiconductors to biomedical devices, from sustainable energy systems to extreme-environment materials, materials research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign spans the full innovation spectrum. Our interdisciplinary work extends across engineering, physics, chemistry, and medicine, conducted in world-class facilities, including the Materials Research Laboratory, Beckman Institute, and Micro and Nanotechnology Lab.