Materials Science and Engineering (PhD)

Program Educational Goals:

Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to identify, formulate, and solve materials science and engineering problems.
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.
Carry out independent research in the area of materials science and engineering, and effectively communicate the results.
Lead technical innovation and train future generations of engineers.

Program Policy Document:

Please see the Program Policy Document for more information.

Requirements For The Degree:

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree requires 33 total credits (24 credit hours of course work and 9 credits of doctoral dissertation work on a research topic approved by the student’s advisor). Students already holding a Masters degree from another program or university accepted to the Ph.D. program are required to complete 9 credits of doctoral dissertation and will have their previous coursework evaluated by the faculty to determine if additional courses are required. All students must pass a qualifying examination, a data defense, and a defense. The dissertation must be of publishable quality as judged by the materials faculty.

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

Core Courses:

The following courses (9 credits) are required. Equivalent courses may be substituted when approved by the faculty advisor and Department 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 course (6 credits*) from the following. Any student taking more than the required two courses may count those additional courses as technical electives.

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:

Three courses - 9 credits total required. 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.

Dissertation:

A student can take 9 credits of MSEG 964 - Pre-Candidacy Study in the semester they plan to take their Ph.D. Qualifying Exam. If they pass, and are admitted to Doctoral Candidacy, these 9 credits can be switched to 9 of the required MSEG 969 . If they do not take Pre-Candidacy credits, after admission to Doctoral Candidacy, the student must complete 9 credit hours of MSEG 969 - Doctoral Dissertation .

MSEG 969 - Doctoral Dissertation Credit(s): 1-12

Other Requirements:

Pass their Ph.D. Qualifying Exam
Data Defense
Defense