The Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science at Washington University in St. Louis offers students the option to pursue bachelor's, master's, PhD and Master of Engineering degrees.

Opportunities for advanced study and research are presently available in biomechanics, energy conversion and efficiency, advanced materials, nanotechnology and computational mechanics.

Faculty and students collaborate on interdisciplinary projects with partners in biomedical engineering, energy, environmental and chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, biology and medicine. Students interested in these fields and registered in the department may take courses offered by these programs and may include faculty from these departments on thesis committees.

Resources for current students

 

MEMS quick facts

257

Graduate students in the department

#38
Top rising materials science institutions worldwide (Nature Index)
27
Full-time faculty

What advice would you give to a new student?

"Don't be afraid to reach out to professors before and after submitting an application to the university. They love talking about their research to prospective students and it could be a good way to get your foot in the door. When you start your PhD at WashU, it's also a good idea to have a plan for which labs you are going to rotate into as soon as possible. That way you can have an easier time near the end of each semester when the workload is highest."

Jordan Escarcega
Degree pursuing: PhD in materials science
Hometown: Costa Mesa, California

Jubel Hall

Jubel Hall features collaborative workspaces, classrooms and the Spartan Light Metal Products Makerspace  — open to all students, faculty and staff on WashU's campus.

 

Tour our buildings