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Materials
Deepen your knowledge of how the raw material of everyday products and cutting-edge technologies is researched, manufactured and applied.
Materials – Minor
The Materials minor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Montana State provides students with interdisciplinary skills in the science and engineering of polymers, metals, ceramic and hybrid materials for structural and functional applications.
Montana State researcher Chelsea Heveran was one of only seven winners of the National Science Foundation's 2026 Idea Machine Competition, with her proposal to make recyclable structures on Mars using the planet's native dirt and a new generation of advanced chemistries.
Research Experience
MSU’s Composite Technologies Research Group has conducted more than 16,000 tests on 500 materials used to make aircraft and other
products.
Goldwater Scholars
Montana State is the Top 3 in the West, after Stanford and Cal Tech, in recipients
of the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship for students in math, science and engineering.
Hands-On Learning
With the capstone senior design project, engineering students work in teams to help
organization, companies and MSU researchers solve real-world problems.
Career Resources
Within their first year of graduation, more than 96% of Montana State graduates are employed, continuing their education or not seeking employment, and career guidance website Zippia consistently ranks MSU as the #1 school in the state where alumni are most likely to land jobs.
Career Coaching & Professional Skills Studio
Professional career coaches help students with their career exploration, employer networking opportunities and job or internship searches. They also critique resumes and help students practice job interviews. Additionally, the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success offers free workshops for students to develop the professional communication and collaboration skills that are highly sought after by employers.
Careers
Materials students at Montana State University go into careers such as:
- Research and development
- Manufacturing
- Product design
- Aerospace
To explore more career possibilities, the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success has a variety of tools available, including self-assessment and working with career coaches.
Sample Course Plan
For more details on what your full study plan could look like under this minor, consult the official Montana State University course catalog for specific registration and advising information.