Microscopic image of a URu2Si2 crystal taken using a polarized light microscope-R

Green grass grows on top of a tetris of structures

Sustainability is at the core of our work — we are dedicated to accelerating the acquisition of fundamental knowledge and workforce training required to develop new materials for sustainable technologies, including innovations in energy-efficient electronics, efficient light-harvesting energy sources and energy storage devices.

Someone with purple medical gloves holds a petri dish and tweezer

Beyond understanding fundamental properties of complex natural systems, MSE plays a crucial role in improving lives by advancing the development of cutting-edge electronic, optical, magnetoelectronic, and bioelectronic devices.

Two people wearing white lab coats look at a computer inside a lab, one points at it

Students in our program benefit from immersive learning experiences within world-class research groups. Through collaboration with faculty and industry partners, our students gain experience and skills needed to meet real-world challenges in the field — contributing to UCSC’s legacy of environmental stewardship and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Student working in Applied Optics lab

World-class graduate programs

UCSC offers MSE programs in both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, enabling impactful research and interdisciplinary collaboration. These programs are supported by esteemed faculty and state-of-the-art facilities — which ensure our students are well-prepared for successful careers.

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

The REU program at UCSC offers undergraduate students unique opportunities to engage in hands-on research across physics, chemistry, and engineering. Our students actively contribute to the discovery and development of materials crucial for developing sustainable technologies. 

Student wearing white lab coat and orange gloves inspects a large technology machine in the lab

Jairo Velasco Jr. Co-Leads Study Featured in Nature Confirming 40-Year-Old Quantum Theory

Highly Cited Researchers Graphic from Clarivate

List of most highly cited researchers includes UC Santa Cruz Materials Science & Engineering Faculty Shaowei Chen and Yat Li

Affiliated departments

UC Santa Cruz is at the forefront of materials science, exploring new materials that pave the way for sustainable future technologies. Our program stands at the intersection of physics, chemistry, earth and planetary sciences, and electrical and computer engineering, creating a unique, interdisciplinary nexus to push the boundaries of scientific understanding.

Last modified: Dec 05, 2024