The Grainger College of Engineering

Materials Science
& Engineering + Data Science

The Materials Engineering + Data Science program teaches students how materials are made, how their structure affects how they work, and how we can use data to make better materials faster. Students learn to design new materials used in things like flexible phone screens, smart drug delivery systems, self-healing materials, and clean energy technologies like solar panels and hydrogen fuel. Data science plays a big role by helping scientists analyze large amounts of information to spot patterns, make predictions, and speed up discoveries. Instead of testing every possible material in a lab, engineers can use computer models and data to figure out which ones are most likely to work. This saves time, money, and helps create better solutions for real-world problems. By combining materials science and data, students gain the tools to shape the future of technology, medicine, and energy.

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Highlights

  • The only program of its kind at Illinois.

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What You'll Study

You will take courses that stress fundamental materials science, teaching you the underlying principles of how materials behave. As a Materials Science and Engineering + Data Science student, you will build on the principles of material synthesis and processing through advanced computational concepts, which are critical as data science continues to revolutionize all areas of science and engineering.

The comprehensive curriculum progresses systematically through four years of study. In the first two years, you will build foundations in science, engineering, and data science while being introduced to materials concepts. In the third year, you will study central materials science issues while learning advanced data science methods. In the senior year, your focus will be on your area of greatest interest, and you will complete a design project involving data science, preparing you for immediate contribution to an industry, entrepreneurship, or graduate study pathway.

Course Catalog

Research Areas

  • Advanced manufacturing
  • Data-driven materials discovery
  • Energy and the environment
  • Electronics and communications
  • Health and medicine
  • Infrastructure and extreme conditions

Data Science Core

  • Mathematical foundations
  • Data science fundamentals
  • Computational fundamentals
  • Data curation
  • Ethics
  • Design

Popular Minors

  • Computer Science
  • Chemistry
  • Business

Minor in Computer Science

The CS Minor is offered for students seeking significant knowledge of digital computing without the more complete treatment of a major in computer science. This minor may be taken by any student except majors in the Computer Science degree programs and in Computer Engineering.

Learn more about the CS Minor

 

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Post-Graduation Success

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data science employment is projected to grow 36% by 2031—seven times faster than average, with a median salary of $103,500. Materials Engineering + Data Science prepares students for a successful career after graduation, whether they pursue advanced study, enter industry, or apply their knowledge to entrepreneurial ventures.

Graduates will be equipped with both deep materials science expertise and advanced data science skills, enabling them to thrive in fast-growing sectors like aerospace, renewable energy, semiconductors, quantum computing, biomedical devices, and advanced manufacturing. The unique dual focus of this program positions graduates at the cutting edge of innovation, where the ability to analyze, model, and design materials with AI and computational methods is in high demand.

Students will leave ready to contribute to a range of industries from sustainable energy systems to electronics and healthcare, or to advance their education at top graduate programs. This interdisciplinary foundation ensures that MatSE + Data Science graduates are prepared not only for today’s challenges but also for the emerging opportunities of tomorrow.

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95%
employed or continuing education

41%
employed after graduation

55%
attending graduate school

$83,636
average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: Texas Instruments, Northrop Grumman, Intel View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Stanford University, University of California, San Diego View All

*Post-graduate data was collected through the Illini Success initiative, which primarily relies on self-reported survey data sources. Statistics reported are from 2022-2023. Please note that total compensation may be greater than annual salary as other forms of compensation (e.g., signing bonus, commission, benefits) are not included. This data represents Material Science & Engineering without Data Science.  For more information on Illini Success data and methods, please visit the Illini Success website.

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Applying to The Grainger College of Engineering opens the door to your future as a successful engineer. Get started by scheduling a visit, requesting information, or submitting your application.

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