The Metallurgical Engineering course has its roots in Metallography, which was one of the many subjects offered by the former Engineering School from Largo de São Francisco, much earlier than the school was transferred to Fundao Island. The first two metallurgical engineers graduated in 1935. The Metallurgical Engineering course allows students to widen their studies on metallic materials, from the ore extraction to the production and processing of the final metallic product, addressing processes such as rolling, forging, extrusion, casting, welding, quality control and control of structural integrity.

The Metallurgical Engineering course at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro forms engineers who are able to take action and provide services concerning their specific education and related areas and carry out graduate studies. The course alumni have a solid technical and scientific training and are able to act in the areas covered by the regulations from CONFEA. They get involved in activities related to the extraction and processing of ores, development and manufacturing of steel and other ferrous products, non-ferrous metals and composite materials. Manufacturing processes of metal parts, welding, corrosion protection, selection and specification of metallic materials are addressed by the graduate student as well. Governmental organizations and institutions (BNDES, various ministries, State and federal regulatory agencies, etc.), project and consulting companies, mining companies, steel mills, mechanical industries, aerospace industry, shipyards, oil companies and universities are among the various sectors where the alumni from the Metallurgical Engineering course can be found working.