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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 M++3XyC4SzFEeGx0M6O3mkmpCkynu0qtW7c8uXQyCWBdcYI7NoECJjT64GTT62pE
 jtN7BqGytyM6jDxdqQnAqQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000940131-04-000003.txt : 20040302
<SEC-HEADER>0000940131-04-000003.hdr.sgml : 20040302
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040302095539
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000940131-04-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040301
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040302

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MATERIAL SCIENCES CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000755003
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COATING, ENGRAVING & ALLIED SERVICES [3470]
		IRS NUMBER:				952673173
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0228

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2300 E PRATT BLVD
		CITY:			ELK GROVE VILLAGE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60007
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8474398270

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STEWART RONALD L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001281778

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08803
		FILM NUMBER:		04641188

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 23138
		CITY:			HILTON HEAD ISLAND
		STATE:			SC
		ZIP:			29995
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c0001281778d20040302f3f.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-03-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000755003</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MATERIAL SCIENCES CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MSC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001281778</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STEWART RONALD L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>248 BERWICK DR.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HILTON HEAD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>SC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>29926</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>PRESIDENT AND CEO</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-02-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>100000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Conversion price of phantom stock units is 1-for-1.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Fifty percent (50%) of the total number of units will vest when the FMV of one share of common stock is at or higher than $14.00 for 30 consecutive trading days.  The remaining 50% of the total number of units will vest when the FMV of one share of common stock is at or higher than $15.00 for thirty consecutive trading days.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>RONALD L. STEWART</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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