Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) research is aimed at educating and training the next generation of thinkers to solve the biggest global challenges.
By fostering a multidisciplinary approach, MSE degree programs strive to endow students with the tools to strategically question current design paradigms and drive innovative materials and manufacturing solutions across a diverse range of sectors. Motivated by modern materials challenges in energy, computing, transportation, impact protection, robotics, and global health care, MSE programs’ comprehensive, experiential training is designed to equip graduates with a modernized skill set tailored to confront those challenges head-on.
The MSE Ph.D. degree program is designed to engage students with:
- Active hands-on training in the latest materials characterization and computational methods, materials-focused intellectual property protection and technology transfer, and professional soft skill development.
- Enhanced educational opportunities promoted through industry partnerships, facilitating internships and class time spent in active commercial manufacturing labs.
- A diverse core of faculty mentors driving advances in controlling structure at the nanoscale, predictive property modeling, high performance metal, polymer and ceramic composites, photovoltaics, and additive manufacturing.
The overall objective of the Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering is developing science and engineering professionals with multidisciplinary problem solving skills to address global challenges in the field of materials science and engineering.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Learning Objectives
Through a multidisciplinary approach, the PhD MSE degree program aims to produce graduates who:
- Demonstrate technical mastery of the core materials science and engineering triad: processing, structure, and property relations
- Identify, formulate, and solve complex MSE problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and math
- Understand the impact of solutions to contemporary MSE issues in a local and global context
- Achieve a level of understanding which will contribute to the advancement of the materials science and engineering enterprise and profession
- Communicate their research in both written and oral forms with other scientists, engineers and public audiences
- Collaborate with other scientists and engineers so that their individual contributions are readily assimilated with the work of others in their field and related fields
- Conduct original research in MSE and related fields, by assembling a body of new knowledge that advances the field
- Maintain high standards of scholarly excellence and responsible research conduct
- Assimilate information from related fields of science and engineering to inform their intellectual pursuits and to expand the areas of application of their MSE expertise
- Disseminate their research in peer-reviewed and patent literature, and through technical conferences and symposia
Effective Fall 2024
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses 1 | ||
| MSE 500/MECH 500 | 3 | |
| MSE 501 | Materials Technology Transfer | 1 |
| MSE 502A | Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Materials Structure and Scattering | 1 |
| MSE 502B | Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Computational Materials Methods | 1 |
| MSE 503 | Mechanical Behavior of Materials | 3 |
| MSE 504 | Thermodynamics of Materials | 3 |
| MSE 523 | Electronic Properties of Materials | 3 |
| MSE 793A | Professional Development Seminar: MSE, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 1 |
| MSE 793B | Professional Development Seminar: Materials and Society | 1 |
| MSE 793C | Professional Development Seminar: Materials Science Engineering Careers | 1 |
| Select at least one course from the following: | 1 | |
| Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Materials Microscopy | ||
| Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Materials Spectroscopy | ||
| Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Bulk Properties and Performance | ||
| Materials Science and Engineering Methods: Experimental Methods for Materials Research | ||
| Specialty Courses | 6 | |
| Select at least 6 credits: 2 | ||
| Bioengineering | ||
| Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics | ||
| Polymer Science and Engineering | ||
| Solid State Chemistry | ||
| Polymer Chemistry | ||
| Chemistry of Electronic Materials | ||
| Materials Chemistry: Hard Materials | ||
| Materials Chemistry: Soft Materials | ||
| Materials Chemistry: Nanomaterials | ||
| Crystallographic Computation | ||
| Chemical Crystallography | ||
| Surface Chemistry | ||
| Advanced Mechanics of Materials | ||
| Finite Element Method | ||
| Foundations of Solid Mechanics | ||
| Mechanics of Fatigue and Fracture | ||
| Optical Properties in Solids | ||
| Thin Film Growth | ||
| Foundations of Applied Mathematics | ||
| Numerical Methods in Science and Engineering | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Numerical Analysis I | ||
| Numerical Methods and Models I | ||
| Cell and Tissue Engineering | ||
| Advanced Composite Materials | ||
| Materials Engineering | ||
| Materials Issues in Mechanical Design | ||
| Structure and Function of Biomaterials | ||
| Applied Fracture Mechanics | ||
MSE 431/MECH 431 | ||
| Green Engineering--Materials and Environment | ||
| Sustainable Strategies for E-Waste Management | ||
| Kinetics of Materials | ||
| Defects in Crystals | ||
| Special Topics in Materials Science | ||
| Introductory Condensed Matter Physics | ||
| Modern Topics in Condensed Matter Physics | ||
| Condensed Matter Theory | ||
| Research and Teaching 3 | ||
| The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 72 credit hours, some of which may be fulfilled with the following: | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Supervised College Teaching | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Dissertation | ||
| Program Total Credits | 72 | |
A minimum of 72 credits are required to complete this program.
- 1
MSE 500 is not a required core course for students who have a Materials Science, Materials Science & Engineering, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, or similar degree. Instead, an additional 3 credits of Materials Specialty Courses are required.
- 2
PH 531 can be used in place of MSE 523 with advisor approval but cannot double count for core and specialty credits.
- 3
Complete a minimum of 6 credits of MSE 799.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |