Materials Science and Engineering, PhD

Location(s): Main Campus

Materials Science and Engineering offers interdisciplinary programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. The PhD places major emphasis on a significant original contribution. Each student in the Materials Science and Engineering Program must select and obtain the consent of a full-time affiliated faculty member to serve as his or her advisor. Prior to selection of an advisor, the MSE director will serve as an interim advisor. On entering the graduate programs, students are expected to have a degree in a physical science or engineering. They are expected to be familiar with basic thermodynamics and with the material in a beginning materials science course. If deficient in these areas, they should be prepared to make up for these deficiencies by taking appropriate courses or examinations. With the cooperation of the advisor, the student forms a research committee to supervise his or her research thesis/project work. For PhD students, the research committee is composed of the advisor and three other technically qualified faculty from at least two departments participating in the Materials Science and Engineering Program. An outside examiner must be approved by the Graduate School and added to the committee for the defense of the PhD dissertation.

Program Requirements

Course Requirements

A. Required Courses

B. Additional required course

Complete at least one of the following three:

Additional Information About the Program

Additional Course Requirements:

Courses presented to satisfy degree requirements must have a grade average of at least 3.0.
Most of the courses in a student’s program should be taken during the first year of residence, so that emphasis can be placed on research in subsequent years.
A majority of electives must be MSE courses. Upper level electives only.

The PhD is awarded for original investigation leading to a significant advance of knowledge in a specialized area. To advance to candidacy, students must pass a set of written examinations and a prospectus examination. Following passing these examinations, the student is admitted to candidacy. Additional details can be found in the MSE Handbook.

Summary of Minimum Requirements for PhD:

Completion of required coursework and Graduate School residence requirements.
Meet the proficiency in teaching requirements.
Satisfaction of comprehensive exam requirement.
Submission of proposal/prospectus and presentation of colloquium on proposed research.
Acceptance of prospectus outlining dissertation research.
The completion of an original piece of work in a specialized area of materials.
Submission of dissertation.
Successful defense of dissertation at oral examination.

For more information on the Materials Science and Engineering Program, please refer to the MSE website. To apply to the MSE program, please visit University Admissions.