The courses and degree programs you should choose will depend on the metallurgical specialty you are aiming for. There are three main branches of metallurgy you can specialize in: extractive metallurgy, which focuses on the chemical extraction of metals; physical metallurgy, which focuses on the composition and properties of metals; and mechanical metallurgy, which studies the processing of metal.
A bachelor's degree is the basic qualification for a metallurgical engineer. Universities and colleges that offer degrees with a major in metallurgical engineering, such as the Colorado School of Mines, focus on providing students with a broad understanding of materials and the application of materials concepts to solve problems. These programs include extensive work in state-of-the-art laboratories in foundry science, physical and mechanical metallurgy as well as welding and joining. ISeek, Minnesota's official job search website, estimates about 20 colleges in the United States offer metallurgical engineering degrees.
Graduates in a field of engineering can enroll in an advanced degree program or a master of science program with a major in metallurgical and materials science. If your undergraduate degree was not in the field of metallurgical or materials engineering, you will be required to complete specific undergraduate courses. For instance, the University of Texas at El Paso requires students to have experience in applied chemical thermodynamics, rate processes in material systems and physical metallurgy. Students seeking a master of science degree must prove their capability with independent and innovative research through publishing a thesis work.
Graduates in metallurgical engineering have studied a wide variety of subjects and are skilled in many aspects of engineering, which is why they are sought out in many industries. For instance, if you earn a metallurgical engineering degree, you could work as a foundry metallurgist, a welding engineer, a quality control and testing supervisor, a mining engineer or even an aeronautical engineer.