Welcome to the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. It is a privilege to lead a department with such a distinguished legacy, a vibrant community of faculty, staff, and students, and an exciting trajectory of growth and innovation.

Materials science and engineering lies at the heart of nearly every technological advancement. At UT, the MSE Department is uniquely positioned to lead in this transformative era. Our close partnerships with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), strong ties to a range of industries, and access to world-class research facilities provide our students and faculty with unparalleled opportunities to explore, innovate, and make a lasting impact.

Whether you are a prospective student, a research collaborator, or an alumnus looking to reconnect, I invite you to discover what makes our department exceptional. Our undergraduate program, accredited by ABET, combines rigorous classroom learning with hands-on laboratory and research experiences. Our graduate students engage in cutting-edge research alongside faculty who are recognized leaders in their fields—from AI- and ML-accelerated materials discovery and computational materials design to advanced manufacturing, as well as materials characterization and testing techniques to develop innovative materials for structural and functional applications across various industries.

As we look ahead, we are committed to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and forward-thinking environment that prepares the next generation of materials engineers and scientists to solve society’s grand challenges. I encourage you to browse our website, connect with our community, and visit us in person to see how MSE at UTK is advancing materials research, education, and innovation.

Sincerely,

Mohsen Asle Zaeem, PhD
Department Head and Cook Eversole Endowed Professor
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
University of Tennessee, Knoxville