Department Overview

Welcome to the Department of Materials Science and Engineering

The mission of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering is to create, transfer, and preserve knowledge through impactful research, dynamic teaching, and the effective training of our future colleagues in materials science and welding engineering. We believe that learning, discovery, and innovation are fostered through the interaction of persons from a diverse background and are dedicated to creating an environment that welcomes and values all.

One of the largest, leading materials programs in the country, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at The Ohio State University aims to transform how materials are synthesized, developed, processed, characterized, and joined. We translate this innovation into educational experiences that expose students to state-of-the-art experimental and computational techniques, delivering the required preparation and skills to be leaders in the materials industry and academia.

The department’s equipment can synthesize materials for biological, corrosive, electronic, energy and structural applications; characterize their structure, properties and performance; and join them using welding, frictional and other innovative methods. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering resides in Mars G. Fontana Laboratories, which opened in August 2020 after a $59.1 million renovation. Construction and renovation of Phase Two is underway and is scheduled to open in autumn 2025. It will add an additional 156,000 square feet of modern, efficient spaces for 21st century teaching and research

Rankings

Our undergraduate and graduate programs, including an online master’s program in welding engineering, are consistently ranked in the top 15 nationally by U.S. News and World Report. Undergraduate students enjoy a student-to-faculty ratio of 5:1, dedicated full-time academic advisors, and opportunities to participate in research, summer internships, co-ops, global education opportunities, and professional societies and meetings.

The graduate student experience includes state-of-the-art experimental and computational research facilities, interdisciplinary research, national and international collaborations, and teaching and mentorship options. The majority of our graduate students are supported by graduate research associate positions that provide for tuition, stipend and research costs.

Academics

The department offers BS, MS and PhD degrees in materials science and engineering (MSE) and welding engineering (WE). Ohio State is the only academic institution in the U.S. offering BS, MS and PhD degrees in WE.

A MS in welding engineering is also available in a distance learning format. The BS/MS program provides an accelerated path to complete the combined requirements for BS and MS degrees, and an Integrated Business & Engineering Honors Program bundles a BS in MSE or WE with a minor in business.

All undergraduate students choose from one of six focus areas, which include biomaterials, ceramic materials, electronic materials, metallurgy, polymers, or a custom focus area based on student's interest. Seniors participate in a year-long senior capstone experience in which student teams tackle open-ended engineering problems that involve materials synthesis, characterization, joining and performance/property evaluation. 

Research

The department supports more than $19.5 million in research expenditures each year.

Research focus areas with dedicated faculty

  • biomaterials (4)
  • ceramic science (5)
  • characterization and microscopy (10)
  • computational MSE (11)
  • corrosion (3)
  • electronic, photonic and magnetic materials (10)
  • energy materials (7)
  • mechanical properties (13)
  • metallic materials (13)
  • polymers (4)
  • processing and manufacturing (12)
  • sensor materials and technology (5)
  • welding engineering (14)

Faculty

The department is one of the largest in the nation, with 37 tenure-track faculty, five clinical-track faculty and four research-track faculty, plus eight joint faculty with primary appointments in biomedical, chemical, electrical, integrated systems and mechanical engineering, and architecture.

We offer expertise in teaching and research that spans the materials spectrum—ceramics, metals, polymers, biomaterials, semiconductors, and composites. Materials applications span from sustainable energy production, conversion and storage to biological, corrosive, electronic, magnetic and structural needs.

Background information

Chair of the Department

Michael Mills, Chair of the Materials Science and Engineering Department Ohio State
Michael J. Mills
Taine G. McDougal Professor

Student enrollment (Aut 2023)

Undergraduate students
MSE 155

WE 101

Graduate students
MSE 97

WE 86

Diversity

Students from 18 countries study in our programs and the number of underrepresented minorities continues to increase.

The percentage of women has increased 37% in MSE and 11.2% in WE since 2014. 

Underrepresented minorities have increased to 16.3% in MSE and 13.4% in WE since 2014.

Main office
2136 Fontana Laboratories
140 W. 19th Avenue

Columbus, OH 43210

Chair of the Department
Michael J. Mills

mills.108@osu.edu

Undergraduate Programs in MSE and WE
Kami Westhoff

westhoff.11@osu.edu

Graduate Programs in MSE and WE
Mark Cooper

cooper.73@osu.edu