Materials Science and Engineering (MMSE)

Program Educational Goals:

Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to identify, formulate, and solve materials science and engineering problems.
Understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
Use modern engineering tools and techniques to successfully practice the engineering profession in a variety of settings.
Understand and critically assess published literature and research findings and apply that understanding to the generation of new knowledge and technology.
Use oral and written communication to convey technical concepts to engineers and non-engineers.
Collaborate as member or leader of a technical project team.

Program Policy Document:

Please see the Program Policy Document for more information.

Requirements For The Degree:

The Masters (MMSE) Thesis degree requires 30 total credits (24 credit hours of course work and 6 credits of thesis work on a research topic approved by your advisor). Of the 24 credits (8 courses) of course work, 9 credits must be the 3 required core courses, another 6 credits are chosen from an approved list of 5 non-core courses, and an additional 9 credits of technical electives can be chosen from the same approved list of 5 non-core courses or other courses approved by the student’s advisor. (Students must take four 800 level courses to earn their degree). MSEG868 may not be taken as a technical elective.

The Masters (MMSE) Non-Thesis degree requires 30 total credit hours of course work. Of the 30 credits of course work, 9 credits must be the 3 required core courses, another 6 credits are chosen from an approved list of 5 non-core courses, and an additional 15 credits of technical electives must be chosen from the same approved list of 5 non-core courses or other courses approved by the student’s advisor. (Students must take four 800 level courses to earn their degree).MSEG868 may not be taken as a technical elective. The non-thesis degree is offered primarily for off-campus or part-time students, but is available to full-time students with permission from the graduate committee.

All graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade-point index of 3.0.
Part-time graduate education is available through the Engineering Outreach Program.
Students must earn a grade of B- or higher in all courses counting towards the degree requirement.

Core Courses:

The following courses, totaling 9 credits, are required of all students. Equivalent courses may be substituted as approved by the faculty advisor and chairperson.

MSEG 608 - Structure and Properties Of Materials I Credit(s): 3
MSEG 803 - Equilibria in Material Systems Credit(s): 3
MSEG 804 - Kinetics in Material Systems Credit(s): 3

Restricted Electives:

Students may choose two courses (6 Credits*) from the following courses with their advisor.

MSEG 640 - Applied Quantum Mechanics I Credit(s): 3
MSEG 832 - Principles of Polymerization Credit(s): 3
MSEG 835 - Principles to Polymer Physics Credit(s): 3
MSEG 841 - Solid State Materials I Credit(s): 3

Note:

*Any beyond the two chosen can count as technical electives.

Technical Electives:

9 Credits required for Thesis Option; 15 Credits required for Non-Thesis Option

These courses should be chosen with a student’s advisor and will usually be related to the student’s area of research. These can be any graduate level (600-800 level) courses, except MSEG868-Research, from any of the Departments in the College of Engineering, Chemistry, or Physics.

Thesis Option:

Six credit hours of thesis work must be completed and the thesis must be accepted by the student’s advisory committee and the Department Chairperson.

MSEG 869 - Master’s Thesis Credit(s): 1-6

Non-Thesis Option

Candidates for the Master’s degree without thesis may be asked to demonstrate their comprehensive knowledge of materials science by successfully completing a final project. If so, the project consists of a written analysis and research project proposal on a topic chosen by the candidate and his or her advisor.