Special Programs

Why Earn your PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at Columbia?

Columbia gives you a rigorous Ivy League education in the heart of a vibrant global city for unmatched opportunities and impact.

As a student, you’ll benefit from:

New York City
Join top talent in one of the world’s most exciting and influential cities. Students choose Columbia Engineering over MIT, Berkeley, and others because of the New York City ecosystem of research and enterprise that can’t be found anywhere else.
Unique Multi-Disciplinary Department
By its very nature, materials science draws on knowledge from multiple fields. Columbia Engineering’s program is housed in a department that also includes applied physics, applied mathematics, and medical physics, giving you broad exposure to several domains and experience with collaborative, multi-disciplinary problem-solving.
Top Research Facilities
Access the most advanced equipment and labs so you can take your research wherever your curiosity leads. In addition to the department’s dedicated teaching laboratory and clean room facilities, the department is also part of the Columbia Nano Initiative, which includes the Center for Precision-Assembled Quantum Materials and the Center for Programmable Quantum Materials.
Columbia University
With a PhD from Columbia, you’ll join one of the world’s most international, accomplished networks of researchers and alumni. Your Ivy League credential will open doors wherever you go and the relationships you build here will accelerate your career.

Columbia provides a rigorous Ivy League education in an atmosphere charged with innovation in the heart of a dynamic global city.

As a student here, you’ll benefit from:

Innovative Curriculum
Gain a unique qualification for tech-savvy leadership with degrees in both business and engineering from two top schools, customized for your career aspirations, all within two years.
Robust Career Resources
Get ready for your next opportunity through a wealth of career support including one-on-one coaching, professional development workshops, and connections with potential employers. You’ll also be able to tap into a global network of over 95,000 successful Columbia alumni in both business and engineering.
Startup Support
Ready to give your idea life? Choose the Entrepreneurship Concentration for a summer stipend to support your venture plus take advantage of the resources offered by The Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center, including the Columbia Alumni Virtual Accelerator program.
New York City
Learn about technology and innovation in a dynamic hub of both startups and established industry leaders. The mix of educational institutions, global companies, new ventures, and an abundance of talent makes this a place of unparalleled career opportunity.