材料系的创建和发展围绕两个基本概念：对研究生进行高级材料教育，并向他们介绍在协作，多学科环境中进行研究的新颖方法。该系在以下领域提供专业知识：电子材料，无机材料，大分子/生物分子材料和结构材料。学习和研究计划可以单独定制，以适应研究需要和学生的兴趣。希望所有学生都采用部门核心顺序，涵盖支持材料结构理解的基本概念，主要领域的核心顺序（通常侧重于结构和特性之间的关系）以及选自各种研究生的选修课课程。该部门提供了一系列有关先进材料的课程，包括那些对关键技术感兴趣的课程，例如光电，热电，储能，可再生能源和高效推进
The Materials Department at UC Santa Barbara was conceptualized and built around one central precept: that research is most effective in a collaborative, multidisciplinary academic environment. The approach has proved to be a Department hallmark. At UC Santa Barbara Materials, collaboration and collegiality are the norm and education is paramount.<br><br>Our world-class faculty offers accredited programs leading to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Materials. In addition to providing a wealth of research and educational opportunities in these areas, the Department offers an array of cross-cutting courses that cover the conceptual foundations of the field: the principles governing the growth and evolution of materials, the techniques used for characterization of the structure and properties of materials, and computational methods that enable precision materials design and analysis.<br><br>The Materials Department is deeply committed to supporting a diverse cohort of students and researchers, and encourages and mentors students from all backgrounds to develop as scholars and professionals. The Department adheres to the University of California Diversity statement(link is external) that underscores the importance of educating a diverse population. The Department is well aware that diverse research teams improve our ability to innovate and solve problems effectively.