Department of Materials Science and Engineering

One of the largest clusters of materials research centers in the world is located on the campus of Iowa State University. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory, the Institute for Physical Research and Technology (IPRT), and the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) are just three of the many organizations dedicated to both basic and applied research in materials.

Their excellent facilities attract and retain outstanding faculty and graduate students, who form a key research cadre in each of these centers. In turn, these strong associations have led to one of the nation’s best research programs in materials science, in addition to providing on-campus laboratory employment opportunities for our graduate and undergraduate students.

As the only materials science and engineering program in Iowa, the MSE department is recognized as the state’s primary source of materials science expertise. Our distinguished, internationally recognized faculty and outstanding research facilities provide MSE with state-of-the-art capabilities for research and graduate education.

Industrial Partnerships

In addition to educating the next generation of scientists and engineers, the MSE faculty is strongly committed to solving engineering problems for government agencies and industry.

The department continuously seeks long-term industrial partnerships through internships, co-op programs, collaborative research projects, sponsorship of design projects for students, and development of educational outreach programs. And while our association with various campus research centers provides students and faculty with research opportunities, industry and government benefit as well from the department’s active participation in both the IPRT Company Assistance program and the Center for Industrial Research and Service.

MSE helps companies large and small make the most of the many multidisciplinary resources and centers at Iowa State. Our faculty and students have the expertise to help solve materials problems, develop new products, improve productivity, and increase the profitability of your business, while maintaining the confidentiality you need to protect your interests.

What MSE Offers Industry

• Expertise in materials research and development
• Problem-solving skills for materials design and processing
• Facilities to synthesize, characterize, and test a wide variety of materials
• University-industrial partnering opportunities with federal and state funding agencies
• On-site or on-campus training workshops
• Access to a pool of talented students for employment
• Faculty consultant relationships

What Industry Offers MSE

• Sponsorship of student senior design projects
  
• Student internship and co-op opportunities
• Faculty internship opportunities or faculty-industry exchanges
• Research partnerships
• Employment of MSE graduates
• Support for student scholarships
• Industrial Advisory Council members
• Unrestricted gifts or gifts in kind