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.
Program Learning Objectives
Similar to the Land Grant mission of extension, education, and research, the specific learning objectives for the MSE programs are centered on the following three themes:
• Scholarly engagement and research
• Educational engagement
• Innovation
Scholarly engagement and research
Students will:
- Graduate with an understanding of cross-disciplinary materials research in physics, engineering, and chemistry.
Educational engagement
Students will:
- Synthesize and connect knowledge from the different disciplines of materials research to complete course work and research for their degree.
- Communicate their science to a wide range of audiences.
- Understand the life-cycle of materials – from design to manufacture.
- Engage in team science where they will work with different faculty and different disciplines to answer important and innovative research questions.
Innovation
Students will:
- Gain experience working in an interdisciplinary research setting to enable them to solve complex real-world problems.
- Graduate with knowledge and skills necessary to assume careers in a wide variety of organizations and industries related to materials.
- Understand how their skills are important in solving global-problems.
Diversity
Students will:
- Gain an appreciation of different disciplines, as well as different approaches to problem solving so they can actively participate in global learning environments.
Effective Fall 2024
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| 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 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 |
| MSE 799 | Dissertation 1 | 6 |
| 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 | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Solid State Chemistry | ||
| Chemistry of Electronic Materials | ||
| Optical Properties in Solids (Select 1) | ||
| Introductory Condensed Matter Physics | ||
| Specialty Courses | 6 | |
| Select at least 6 credits: 2 | ||
| Bioengineering | ||
| Seminar | ||
| Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics | ||
| Polymer Science and Engineering | ||
| Polymer Chemistry | ||
| 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 | ||
| Nanostructures Fundamentals and Applications | ||
| Micro-Electro-Mechanical Devices | ||
| Thin Film Growth | ||
| Ethical Conduct of Research | ||
| 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 | ||
| Kinetics of Materials | ||
| Modern Topics in Condensed Matter Physics | ||
| Condensed Matter Theory | ||
| Research and Teaching | ||
| The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 72 credit hours, some of which may be fulfilled with the following: | ||
| Special Topics in Materials Science | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Supervised College Teaching | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Program Total Credits | 72 | |
A minimum of 72 credits are required to complete this program.
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 |