The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst supports interactive research in three major groups with emphasis on polymeric and bimolecular materials. Researchers in the group investigating polymers in restricted geometries seek to understand the behavior of polymers at interfaces and in porous media. This work is motivated by the critical role of interfacial phenomena in determining the performance of advanced materials. The group focusing on biomolecular materials aims to develop and analyze well-defined artificial proteins and biodegradable bacterial storage polyesters. The group investigating advanced polyolefins and blends proposes to develop new synthesis and processing routes to high performance materials based on simple olefins such as ethylene and propylene. This particular work is motivated by the availability of a new generation of catalysts that enables petroleum feedstocks to be converted directly into high performance materials. The MRSEC supports the development, operation and maintenance of shared experimental facilities for materials research. It provides seed funding for exploratory research and fosters research participation by undergraduates. The MRSEC is associated with an educational outreach program with special emphasis on attracting and keeping women and underrepresented minorities in science. The Center for UMass-Industry Research on Polymers (CUMIRP) provides industrial liaison. The MRSEC currently involves 24 senior investigators, 3 postdoctoral research associates, 3 technical staff members, 21 graduate students, and 12 undergraduates. The MRSEC at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst is directed by Professor David A. Tirrell.