The department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Utah offers three graduate degrees: Master of Science (M.S.) Thesis and Non-Thesis Options, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The M.S. Thesis option requires a Master's Thesis, the M.S. Non-Thesis option requires a Special Project, and the Ph.D. degree requires a Doctoral Dissertation.
Master of Science
(Thesis Option)
The Master of Science (M.S.) Thesis Option is a research and thesis degree. Students interested in a Ph.D. degree are encouraged to directly pursue the Ph.D. degree without first earning an M.S. degree.
Master of Science
(Non-Thesis Option)
The degree of Master of Science non-thesis recognizes achievement in which design is emphasized, in contract to the typical M.S. degree that has emphasis on research. For students entering and accepted for an M.S. non-thesis degree and with adequate undergraduate preparation, and M.S. non-thesis degree should be completed within two years of full-time study.
Doctoral Degree
The Doctoral (Ph.D.) degree offered through the Materials Science and Engineering Department is an intensive research and doctoral dissertation degree. Students may directly pursue a Ph.D. degree without first earning a M.S. degree.