As a research-oriented institute of Tianjin Polytechnic University (TJPU), School of Material Science and Engineering (SMSE) originally evolved from the Department of Dyeing and Chemistry that was established at the beginning of Tianjin Institute of Textile in 1958.

The school is constituted by five education divisions including four departments and one centre, i.e. the Department of Polymer Materials, Department of Inorganic Non-metallic Materials, Department of Composite Materials, Department of Materials for Creative Talents and the Experimental Centre of Materials, as well as four research institutes including Institute of Functional Fibers, Institute of Bio- and Textile Materials, Institute of Separating Materials and Process Control, and Institute of Bio-chemical Engineering. In addition, there is a Centre of Materials Analysis and Test.

SMSE has formed a complete talent cultivation system of bachelor degree, master degree and doctor degree and currently offers three undergraduate programs, including the Materials Science and Engineering, Inorganic Non-metallic Materials and Engineering and Composite Materials and Engineering. The school provides the programs for master and doctoral degrees as well, and postdoctoral in materials science and engineering, and master degree for engineering of materials. Now there are 1050 undergraduates and 400 graduates in SMSE.

At present there are 90 faculties in SMSE, including one member of the discipline assessment group of the State Council Academic Degree Committee, one National Young and Middle-aged Expert with Outstanding Contributions, two winners (part time) of National Outstanding Youth Fund and the Yangtze river scholars distinguished professors of Education Ministry, one candidateof the Hundred Talents plan of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and two first-level candidates of the National millions program, two New Century Talents of the Education Ministry, four Distinguished Professors and three Distinguished Chair Professors of Tianjin, two commissioned experts of Tianjin, seven winners of Tianjin 131 talent cultivation program, 23 professors, 20 doctoral student supervisors. In addition, 92% full-time teachers have got Ph.D. degrees. Here we have an active, open minded and cooperative teaching and research team with a proper structure of academic titles, education background and age distributions.