Why Study Materials Science and Engineering?

Study the "Stuff" Around Us

Materials science and engineering majors develop the materials that make the technologies we use in our everyday lives better. Naturally, the field lends itself to a wide range of career opportunities. 

Our graduates typically pursue careers in industry, academia (attending graduate school then achieving faculty/teaching positions) and with national research labs. Our graduates apply their knowledge of structural materials to develop lighter and stronger cars and sports equipment, and their knowledge of electrical properties of materials to build faster and more powerful electronics, and much more.

To learn more, read a blog by alumna Aditi Risbud Bartl about the major and where some of our former students have gone, along with U.S. News' write-up of what to do with a Materials Engineering degree. Or watch our own students partake in the annual UC Davis Picnic Day and their hosting of their famous Magic Show! Below, you will also find a list of where some of our graduates have pursued internships during their UC Davis careers and where they have gone after graduation:

Industry

  • Accenture Technology Consulting
  • BeBop Sensors
  • Consolidated Engineering Laboratories
  • Genentech
  • Intel
  • Johnson and Johnson
  • KeySight
  • L'Oreal
  • Lam Research
  • Nike
  • OASIS Materials Company
  • TenCate Advanced Composites
  • USS POSCO

National Research Labs

  • National Center for Photovoltaics

Academia

  • Aalborg University
  • Arizona State University
  • Northwestern University
  • Ohio State University
  • University of California, Irvine
  • University of California, Riverside