When you graduate from Penn State with a bachelor of science degree in materials science and engineering, your career options are wide open. Our graduates work in nearly every industry—aerospace, healthcare, electronics, sustainability, and more. Some even take unexpected paths, becoming lawyers, accountants, entrepreneurs, and CEOs. That’s the power of a versatile, science-based degree.
Materials engineers thrive in multidisciplinary environments, blending physics, chemistry, biology, and math to design and improve the materials that shape our world—from everyday products to cutting-edge technologies. By learning how to apply science and technology to solve real-world problems, you’ll gain high-demand, transferable skills that can take you anywhere.
Materials Development
- Nanotechnology Engineer
Work at the atomic or molecular scale to create advanced materials for applications like drug delivery, coatings, semiconductors, and electronics. - Polymers & Biomaterials Engineer
Create and process polymers, gels, and biological materials for medical devices, packaging, and lightweight products. - Structural Materials Engineer
Design, select and test metals, ceramics, glass, and composite materials for structural, automotive, aerospace applications and consumer products. - Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Engineer
Develop materials and processes for 3D printing in industries like healthcare, aerospace, and automotive. - Computational Materials Engineer
Utilize computer modeling, simulations, and AI to predict material properties and behavior. - Sustainability / Green Materials Engineer
Create eco-friendly materials, recyclable plastics, or low-carbon alternatives for construction and manufacturing. - Manufacturing Process Engineer
Optimize manufacturing of materials to improve efficiency, quality, and cost. - Metallurgical Engineer
Focus on extracting, refining, and processing of metals to improve their performance in real-world applications like infrastructure or machinery. - Quality Control / Failure Analysis Engineer
Investigate why materials fail (fracture, corrosion, fatigue) and ensure products meet safety and performance standards. - Materials Testing Engineer
Perform mechanical, thermal, and chemical testing to evaluate material performance under different conditions. - Corrosion Engineer
Study and prevent material degradation, especially in infrastructure, pipelines, and marine environments. - Technical Consultant
Advise companies on material selection, failure analysis, and product development.
Research and Development (R&D), Academia, and Government Labs
- Materials Scientist (Industry or Lab)
Develop new materials (metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, glass, biomaterials, etc) with improved strength, durability, or functionality for products like electronics, medical devices, aerospace parts. - Professor / Teaching Professor
Conduct research, publish findings, and/or teach at universities. - Research Scientist
Conduct research in industry or government national labs to develop new and emerging materials and technologies - Lab Manager / Research Associate
Support experiments, manage equipment, and assist in scientific studies.
The Nelson W. Taylor Lecture Series in Materials Science and Engineering honors the memory of Professor Nelson W. Taylor (1869–1965) who was head of Penn State’s Department of Ceramics from 1933–1943. During his tenure as department head, Dr. Taylor refined the ceramics undergraduate curriculum, strengthened the graduate program, expanded ties with industry, and was able to attract important scientists (for example Woldemar A. Weyl) to the faculty. He is recognized as the individual most responsible for establishing the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences as a major center for ceramics research. The Nelson W. Taylor Lecture Series was established in 1969, and has consistently attracted scientists of international prominence.