MS Materials Science and NanoEngineering at Rice University

Programme overview

The MS is a thesis master's degree. Graduates show advanced command of the field and independent research mastery of a subfield within Materials Science or NanoEngineering. The thesis is original research defended in a public oral examination.

Faculty: George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing | Department: Materials Science and NanoEngineering | Duration: 30 credit hours; full-time students expected within two calendar years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Houston, TX, United States

What you will study

Core (12 credits): MSNE 502 Mechanical Properties of Materials, MSNE 503 Thermodynamics in Materials Science, MSNE 506 Physical Properties of Solids and MSNE 535 Crystallography and Diffraction; two MSNE electives, seminars and MSNE 800 research and thesis. Preliminary candidacy evaluation by the end of the second semester.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Programme: open to students with outstanding undergraduate performance. Rice graduate programmes (university level): applicants should generally have at least a 3.0 (B) undergraduate GPA or equivalent; the GRE is generally not required, though individual programmes may recommend, strongly recommend or require it; a statement of purpose and reference letters may be required depending on the programme. International applicants need TOEFL iBT 90, IELTS 7 or Duolingo English Test 115 unless they hold a degree from an accredited US institution or an English-medium institution. Admission is decided at programme level.

Fall 2027 entry; most doctoral programmes close December 1, 2026; professional master's programmes such as MCS, MDS, MME and MChE use rolling or later deadlines (May 1 international, July 1 domestic).

Master's application fee is $85. Mechanical Engineering MME and Chemical Engineering MChE close May 1 (international) and July 1 (domestic) for Fall; Computer Science MCS/MDS close between February 10, 2027 (scholarship consideration) and July 1, 2027.

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