Material Science & Engineering
Courses in Canada

Simply put materials science and engineering is the study of materials: how they are used, how they are made and how they can be put together to create new materials for different purposes. From the soles of your shoes to the umbrella over your head, it is all about materials. Manufactured products are becoming more and more complex, particularly as materials scientists and engineers look to a sustainable future, meaning that the demand for materials scientists and engineers in Canada is high.

Universities across Canada offer leading degrees in materials science and engineering. McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, is one example of a highly regarded degree program in materials science and engineering in Canada. This year, 4 Ferrous Metallurgy Education Today Scholarships (FeMET) out of 9 were awarded to the department by the Association for Iron and Steel Technology Foundation (AIST), in recognition of their high standards.

McMaster's materials science and engineering faculty are traditionally strong in the area of research. They receive a large number of grants from government and industry, providing a fantastic foundation for graduate research opportunities. The bachelor program in materials engineering is 4 years but students can opt to take a 5 year course incorporating management or society into the engineering degree. When applying for a materials science and engineering degree, ensure that it is accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board. By graduating from an accredited institution you can go on to pursue a masters in materials science or any other higher qualification.

The undergraduate degree is an intense course, covering the scientific foundations and principles of materials engineering, with the chance to specialise in specific materials systems in the later years of the course. Physical chemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics, materials structure and materials processing fundamentals form the core modules of the degree. There is also a strong focus on materials properties, function and engineering design.

Depending on the optional modules you choose, you can specialise in electronic materials, metals and alloys or polymers. After successfully completing the bachelor's degree in materials science and engineering, students can either take a higher qualification or move straight into the industry as researchers, educators or engineers for private companies or governmental bodies.