Ph.D. Degree
in Materials Science and Engineering
Direct entry to the Ph.D. Program without prior completion of a Master's Degree is available for suitably qualified candidates. (The Ph.D. degree requires 12 credits of course work beyond those required for the Master's Degree with thesis.)
The following 3 credit courses, or their equivalent as approved by the faculty advisor and Chairperson, are required:
MSEG 803 Equilibria in Materials Systems
MSEG 804 Kinetics in Materials Systems
MSEG 602 Structure of Materials
MSEG 607 Physical Properties of Materials I MSEG 630 Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering (Note:
CHEG600 will substitute for MSEG630 for the fall 2008 semester)
The remaining 21 credits of elective courses will be chosen after discussion with the advisor, and will usually be related to the student's area of research interest. Courses in various areas of specialization are listed at the end of this document.
After admission to Candidacy, the student must complete a total of 9 credit hours of Dissertation MSEG 969.
Qualifying examination
Candidates for the Ph.D. degree are required to demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge of materials science by passing the qualifying examination. This is administered at the request of the student/advisor and consists of a comprehensive research project (written/oral) review on a topic chosen by the candidate and his/her advisor. The written part should contain no more than 15 pages single-spaced (12-pt. Font) not including the bibliography. The written part of the qualifier should be submitted to all members of the dissertation committee at least one week prior to the oral examination. Both the written and oral (not more than 90 minutes) should include but would not be limited to discussion on the following topics/issues:
- Motivation and Significance of the Research
- Definition of the Critical Issues
- Literature Search/Bibliograph
- Research Objectives
- Outline of the Experimental/Theoretical Approach
- Anticipated Results
- Timeline (sequence of accomplishment and milestones)
- Metrics to Determine the Successful Outcome of the Research
- Relevant Supporting Preliminary Data
- Potential Impact (scientific or technological)
This oral exam is designed to evaluate comprehensive knowledge in materials science and engineering, "soft" skills, e.g., communication, awareness of market-driven technology, etc., and the ability to organize and plan a project. Thus questions during the oral exam will not only be directed towards the research topic but can also be directed toward peripheral materials issues related to the proposed research.
The Qualifier/Dissertation Committee will contain the student's advisor(s) and at least three other faculty, at least one of whom is not a member of the Materials Science and Engineering Faculty.
Within the first two years, students will be admitted to candidacy based on three criteria:
- Results of Qualifying Examination
- Successful completion of requested core courses with a GPA of 3.25 or higher.
- Satisfactory research progress as determined by the candidate's Qualifier/Dissertation Committee.
Admission to candidacy decisions will be made by the Departmental Graduate Committee.
Full time students entering the Ph.D. program with a Masters Degree are expected to take the qualifying examination and set up a Qualifier/Dissertation Committee in their first three semesters.
For those who enter the program with a M.S. or equivalent or those exceptionally well qualified students (with a B. S. degree or equivalent) wishing to directly enter the Ph.D. program, they will have until the end of January of their second year (a second and final chance by June 1 in the same year if performance on first exam is unsatisfactory) to take the Qualifying examination.
Part-time students entering with a B.S. degree take the qualifying examination no later than the sixth semester, and will then follow the above procedure with the expectation that admission to candidacy requirements be satisfied by two years after the qualifying exam is taken.
Specialization
In addition to the materials science core leading to the Ph.D. qualifying examination, students engage in the study of an area of specialization. Current areas of specialization are polymers, electronic and magnetic materials, materials chemistry, biomolecular/bioinspired materials, metals and composite materials. Students are required to complete satisfactorily at least five courses in an area of specialization. The course of study is developed by the student and his/her research advisor and is approved by the Materials Science and Engineering Faculty. Course lists for the areas of specialization are found in item C below. The lists are subject to change.
Dissertation
A dissertation containing original results of the student's research effort must be presented and approved by the Ph.D. Committee and the Chairperson of the Department.
The Ph.D. dissertation must be defended before the student's advisory committee. That committee consists of the student's research advisory and at least three other faculty, at least one of whom is not a member of the Materials Science and Engineering Faculty. The Ph.D. Committee will be set up at the time of the student's Ph.D. Qualifier/Dissertation Committee within the student's first five semesters and will meet with the student annually. In addition to a criterion of scholarly excellence, there must be no barriers to publication of the thesis or dissertation.
Dissertation advisors and graduate student advisory committees will be appointed by the Materials Science and Engineering Faculty after discussions with the student and his/her advisor. Changes in advisor or advisory committee are made either by informal agreement (the usual policy) or by action of the Materials Science and Engineering Faculty in which final authority in all such matters resides
Final Oral Examination
After an oral presentation open to all interested persons, the student will be examined on the dissertation by the Ph.D. Qualifier/Dissertation Committee. In addition to examining the results of the original research contained in the dissertation, the committee will pay particular attention that suggestions for future work shall constitute a well-formulated and coherent plan to extend the research significantly.
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