Materials are at the root of man’s progress in the modern world. Advances in technology today are limited by the availability of newer materials with desired properties. Thus, the development of solar cell materials would make greater use of solar energy feasible, ceramic materials would make automobile and other engines lighter and more fuel efficient, optoelectronic materials would revolutionize the communication industry, etc. For this, a thorough study of existing materials and tailor making of new functional materials are to be continued with increasing vigour. Such a task, however, requires an integrated approach to the subject using established principles of science and engineering. Keeping this objective in view and to provide focus and coordination for teaching, research and development, an Interdisciplinary Programme in Materials Science was initiated at IIT, Kanpur at the postgraduate level in July 1971.