The Department of Metallurgical Engineering was founded in 1954 under the Faculty of Engineering, BOC College, Rangoon University. The B.Sc (Engineering) (Metallurgy) degree was first conferred in 1958. The faculty of engineering was shifted in June 1961 to Gyogone, where the Yangon Technological University now stands. Under the new education system introduced in 1964, instead of B.Sc (Engineering), B.E (Metallurgy) degree was conferred in 1965. Postgraduate master course was initiated in 1970. The department was renamed as the Department of Metallurgical Engineering & Materials Science in 1998. Part-time diploma evening classes were opened in 1998. Postgraduate doctoral class was introduced in 2000. The Golden Jubilee of the department was celebrated in December 2004. During these fifty-two years, a total of (538) B.E,(58) M.E,(5) Ph.D and (36) diploma holders have graduated.
Currently, A.G.T.I , B.Tech and B.E classes specializing in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science are being offered at West Yangon Technological University and at two Government Technological Colleges, namely Hmawbi and Kyaukse. Annual intake of students for each academic year is about (30).

The Aims of department are:

- to produce well-qualified and capable metallurgical and materials engineers to
  contribute to the nation's industrial development and growth.
-.to advance research and development in the academic and professional disciplines.

Now,department is offering only post graduate programs:

Master of Engineering (M.E.)

The master of engineering course was initiated in 1970. This program is a two-year full time course, with a combination of course work and thesis. The study program is designed to present the student with a systematic development of the  fundamental scientific and engineering principles underlying materials phenomena and process operations.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)

The doctoral program was initiated in 2000. Students pursuing studies according to Plan A program have a combination of course work and thesis. This is an intensive three-year course. Plan B program students earn their degree through research alone. A preliminary research report has to be submitted in the first year for admission to Ph.D. candidature, followed by submission of the thesis in the next two years. This is also a three-year course.

Laboratory Facilities

Under the OPEC loan project a number of new and modern equipments were recruited. The facilities available for metallography laboratory are specimen cutting, grinding, polishing, etching and subsequent microscopic examination Hardness testers are also available for mechanical property determination. An instrument for carbon and sulphur determination in cast iron and steel is available. The sand-testing laboratory of the foundry has facilities for studying the properties of sands and molding materials. Oil-fired crucible furnace for melting and muffle furnaces for heat treatment of ferrous and nonferrous alloys are available. Size reduction units such as crushers, grinders, sieve shaker and series of sieves and flotation units comprise the mineral processing laboratory.

Services & Contributions

The Department of Metallurgical Engineering has carried out many research projects, undergraduate and postgraduate thesis. Syllabus and Curriculum, Questions, Text Book, Lecture notes and CD's for A.G.T.I, B.Tech and B.E courses have been prepared for Government Technological colleges.
The following list of services are still being rendered  :
              - microstructure analysis of metals and alloys.
              - testing of molding sands.
              - provision of expertise in direct material processing operations like metal casting and
                heat treatment.
             - hardness testing.
             - C and S determination is steel and cast iron.
             - identifying causes of material failures and recommending ways to avoid it.
             - technology of metal extraction.
             - consultation, conducting lectures and seminars for entrepreneurs from industrial zones
               and private sectors.