Materials Engineering – Faculty of Engineering

Materials Engineering

Explore and specialize within the vast realm of material sciences to lead innovations in technology and manufacturing.

Length
4 years
Degree
Bachelor of Engineering (Co-op Available)
Program
Engineering
Options

Co-op, Management, Society

Overview

Materials Engineering focuses on designing, processing, and improving the materials that shape modern technologies. You’ll learn how structure influences properties in metals, polymers, ceramics, and electronic materials through hands-on labs, experiments, and design projects. 

The program prepares students to develop innovative solutions in industries such as healthcare, transportation, energy, and electronics, leading to careers in engineering, manufacturing, and advanced materials development.  

Why study this program?

  1. One of only a few Materials Engineering programs in Canada, offering a rare chance to study how materials are designed, processed, and engineered for real-world performance
  2. Experience small class sizes (~20-40 in elective courses) that make it easy to connect with classmates and professors
  3. Spend time in labs and lectures building, testing and analyzing real materials where classroom concepts are immediately applied to real engineering challenges
Two students wearing safety glasses perform a materials test.

What you'll learn

Study the structure, processing, and properties of engineering materials such as metals, polymers, ceramics, and electronic materials, and how these can be modified to achieve specific performance goals. You will explore how materials are characterized and tested using advanced laboratory techniques, linking microscopic structures to real-world applications and applications.

You can tailor your studies through specialized courses in manufacturing and infrastructure materials, biomaterials, functional materials, or materials informatics and data science, covering topics such as alloy design, biomedical applications, electronic and magnetic materials, and data driven materials discovery.

All students in McMaster’s undergraduate engineering programs participate in a common first year — Engineering 1. Build a solid base in the fundamentals of engineering disciplines and get exposed to engineering design work right at the start of your degree.

Learn more about Engineering 1

MATLS 3F03 – High-Temperature Materials Production  

Look at how metals are processed in extreme conditions where heat, stress, and chemical reactions all matter. This is key for industries like aerospace, energy and advanced manufacturing.

MATLS 4FF3 – Synthesis, Applications and Environmental Impact of Nanomaterials  

Investigate how materials behave at the nanoscale and how they’re used in advanced technologies. Lab and research components connect nanomaterial design to applications in energy, electronics, and sustainability.

MATLS 4LS3 – Physical Metallurgy of Steels  

Dive into how steel is designed and engineered for real-world use, from skyscrapers and bridges to cars and pipelines. You’ll explore how processing and heat treatment change steel’s microstructure and directly control strength, toughness and durability.

MATLS 4ML3 – Applications of Machine Learning to Materials and Chemical Engineering  

Learn how data and machine learning are used to accelerate materials discovery and process optimization. You’ll apply computational tools to real materials datasets to predict properties and behavior.

Get practical experience and grow your portfolio with interdisciplinary design courses. All students in a Bachelor of Engineering take project-based design courses:

1. ENGINEER 1P13: Integrated Cornerstone Design Projects in Engineering

2. ENGINEER 3PX3: Engineering Design 2: Engineering Economics

3. Capstone project (year-long design project)

A person in a lab coat sets up machinery for a tensile test.

Co-op and experiential learning

Go beyond the lecture hall with experiential learning. Our engineering co-op program provides you with the opportunity to work in real engineering positions before you graduate.

Sample co-op employers:

  • ArcelorMittal
  • Enbridge
  • Hatch Associated Ltd.
  • Liburdi Engineering Limited
  • Mancor Industries
  • Saint-Gobain
  • Stackpole
  • Stelco
Did you know: McMaster's Faculty of Engineering has the 3rd largest co-op program in Canada.
Learn more

Potential career paths

Graduates will be career-ready for in-demand careers in materials engineering, including materials design and processing, manufacturing engineering, product development, and industrial operations across sectors such as transportation, energy, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.

  • Integrity Assessment 
  • Lab Technician
  • Mechanical & Chemical Testing
  • Quality Engineer
  • Research & Development Engineer 

Explore Materials Engineering in grad school

You’ll already be connected to world-renowned researchers leading innovation in your undergrad: continue pursuing research and innovation in a master’s program.

Materials Science & Engineering programs

  • Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy

    Students gain access to world-class electron microscopes, including instruments capable of atomic-scale imaging and materials analysis.

    CCEM houses state of the art aberration-corrected electron microscopes that can image materials at near-atomic resolution, placing it among the top microscopy facilities globally!
    Learn more about the CCEM

  • Steel Research Centre

    Established over 30 years ago in the Steel City of Hamilton, the Steel Research Centre provides worldwide research in the steelmaking industry.

    The SCR houses four facilities that allow for high-temperature studies, microscopy and more!
    Learn more about the SRC

  • Clubs and teams

    McMaster has many clubs, teams and societies you can join to practice your engineering skills, get more hands-on experiences and explore new activities.

    In MacSmiths, students apply materials engineering in a hands-on forge, casting and forging metals and competing in metalworking and blade-smithing challenges
    Learn more about Mac Eng Experiences

  • Canada's largest undergraduate research program

    Engage in hands-on research and complex problems with a mentor as early as your first year.

    Students gain hands-on research experience at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, using advanced microscopy to study materials at the atomic scale.
    Learn about undergrad research opportunities
Red and white flowers blooming on campus

Upper-year specializations

Specialized programs at McMaster can take your Engineering degree to the next level.

At the end of your first year in Engineering, you can apply to two other exciting options:

  • Engineering & Management
  • Engineering & Society
Here are further details to help you imagine your McMaster future.

Become a leader that solves complex challenges with your technical and business expertise in this five-year program.

Once you’ve completed first year requirements in good standing, you can apply to this program.

Learn more about Engineering & Management

Follow your passion in Engineering & Society. Combine your engineering education with a deeper understanding of human-centred design and problem-solving skills in this five-year program.

Once you’ve completed first year requirements in good standing, you can apply to this program.

Learn more about Engineering & Society

Financial aid & awards

Over $2.5 million in funding awarded annually

The Faculty of Engineering offers substantial financial support to students, including one of the largest faculty-based entrance scholarship programs in the country, with over $2.5 million awarded annually.

Learn more

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