FY 2023-28

Updated: 5/2024

Research and Innovation

Vision

The Materials Science & Engineering (MSE) Program is a multi-disciplinary graduate program bringing together the broader materials research community on the University of Colorado (CU) Boulder campus across both the Colleges of Engineering & Applied Science (CEAS) and Arts & Sciences (A&S). The MSE Program consists of over 70 faculty paving the way for innovative materials research. The program continues to train and graduate talented PhD students.

In the next five years, we will:

  • Be an incubator for innovative materials research interdisciplinary centers and inventions.
  • Be a nucleus for materials research and innovation on the Front Range for academia, government labs, and industry.
  • Be a recognized international leader in materials science and engineering.

To enable this vision, we will:

  • With input from MSE faculty within both CEAS and A&S, form an external advisory board comprised of 10-20 members from industry, academia, and national labs to guide the MSE research strategy.
  • Further relationships with the Advancement and Alumnae Engagement teams within the goal of attending a minimum of three fundraising and/or alumnae events each year. Create a LinkedIn network of 500+ connections within three years.
  • Develop industrial partnerships that advance the MSE program’s educational and research vision with a goal of raising $2M in industrial funds to support PhD student research and development.
  • Expand our annual “Innovation in Materials Science & Engineering” symposium to include industry, academia, and national labs along the Front Range with a goal of >25% of attendees coming from outside of CU within the next two years.
  • Nominate our faculty and students for national awards with the goal of nominations toward at least six Materials Research Society (MRS) graduate student awards, two MRS fellow awards, and two National Academy of Engineers awards.
  • Facilitate faculty interactions to accelerate interdisciplinary materials related research collaborations that lead to three new centers over the next five years, each totaling at least $5M in annual expenditures.

Education

Vision

The Materials Science & Engineering (MSE) Program is the campus leader in the recruitment, development, and support of PhD students pursuing interdisciplinary materials research. Faculty across the campus depend on the MSE Program to recruit top-tier, talented PhD students with diverse educational and research backgrounds to carry out highly interdisciplinary materials research. The MSE program continues to organize and highlight the high-quality materials research and specialized materials relevant courses taking place across the CU Boulder campus within both the Colleges of Engineering & Applied Science (CEAS) and Arts & Sciences (A&S), as well as continue to develop and host core fundamentals courses in MSE to train independent and talented PhD graduates.

In the next five years, we will:

  • Be a leader for graduate education in materials for health, energy and sustainability.
  • Be a leader for undergraduate education and research experience in materials science and engineering at CU Boulder.

To enable this vision, we will:

  • Increase the number of matriculated PhD students to 20 per year and sustain over the next five years.
  • Double the number of domestic PhD applications and increase the quality of international PhD applications over the next five years by increasing the visibility of the graduate program through MSE faculty seminars at peer institutions, MSE’s summer REU program, and by establishing relations with targeted international universities.
  • Build a robust undergraduate MSE minor with a targeted enrollment of 200 students per year after five years: with a goal of 10% of those students participating in independent research under MSE faculty.

Inclusion

Vision

The MSE program was founded on the ideal that diverse backgrounds and experiences are essential to obtaining high quality interdisciplinary materials research. The program has always celebrated and pursued recruitment of students with educational and research backgrounds in the broad areas of engineering and the natural sciences. Bringing together students from across the country and internationally, from all different educational, social, and cultural backgrounds, strengthens the overall program by encouraging collaboration and sharing of a wide range of perspectives and outlooks. The program strives to continue to strengthen and build upon the cultural diversity of its students and foster a more inclusive, supportive, and connected student community.

In the next five years, we will:

  • Be a more inclusive and diverse graduate program that supports and celebrates different cultures from across the U.S. and internationally.

To enable this vision, we will:

  • Increase the diversity of our PhD program to a steady state of at least 50% of our students identifying as femaleand/or BIPOC.
  • Host a summer research experience for undergraduates (REU) program for 10-15 students each year with at least 50% of those students identifying as female and/or BIPOC. At least 25% of those participating in the REU program will apply to CU Boulder for graduate school with at least one student matriculating into the PhD program per year.
  • Create a more inclusive culture by collaborating with and further supporting our MSE graduate student DEI committee, appointing a faculty liaison, and providing the committee with resources to support monthlyeducational and social events that focus on diversity and inclusivity. These activities will lead to an increased senseof belonging and a positive social climate measured by increased percentage results from the annual graduate student climate survey.

College Strategic Vision