MSEG
Graduate Curriculum
Quick Guide
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Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
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Year
1 |
608:
Structure and Prop. of Materials I |
609:
Structure and Prop. of Materials II |
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803:
Equilibria in Materials Systems |
804:
Kinetics in Materials Systems |
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640: Quantum Mechanics (Hard materials) |
Elective (all tracks) |
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Elective (soft materials and composites) |
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MSEG
Seminar series |
MSEG
Seminar series |
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Year
2 |
832: Polymer Synthesis (soft materials and composites
track students) |
835: Polymer Physics |
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833: Polymer Synthesis Lab |
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817: Composite Materials |
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841: Solid State Materials |
842: Solid State Materials |
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Elective (all tracks) |
Elective (all tracks) |
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MSEG
Seminar series |
MSEG
Seminar series |
Key:
Courses Required
for all students
Courses Required
for soft materials track
Courses Required
for hard materials track
Courses Required
for composites track
Note
1: Polymer synthesis is required for both the soft materials and composites
track.
Note 2:
Courses required for a different specialization can count as elective courses.
Detailed description
36 credit
hours of course work and 9 credit hours of thesis research are required for the
Ph.D. Degree.
The
following courses, totaling 14 credits, are required for all students.
Equivalent courses may be substituted when approved by the faculty advisor and
Department Chairperson:
MSEG 608 Structure and Properties of Materials
I (4 credits)
MSEG 609 Structure and Properties of Materials
II (4 credits)
MSEG 803 Equilibria in Materials Systems (3
credits)
MSEG 804 Kinetics in Materials Systems (3
credits)
Students
must also select a specialization and complete the required courses for that
specialization.
Soft Materials Specialization
MSEG 832 Principles
of Polymer Synthesis (3 credits)
MSEG 833 Polymer
Synthesis and Characterization Laboratory (3 cr.)
MSEG 835 Polymer
Physics (3 credits)
Hard Materials Specialization
MSEG 640 Applied
Quantum Mechanics I (3 credits)
MSEG 841 Solid
State Materials I (3 credits)
MSEG 842 Solid
State Materials II (3 credits)
Composite Materials Specialization
MSEG 832 Principles
of Polymer Synthesis (3 credits)
MSEG 817 Composite
Materials (3 credits)
The
remaining 13-16 credits of elective courses will be chosen after discussion
with the student's advisor, and will usually be related to the student's area of
research. Up to 6 credits of thesis research (MSEG 868) can count towards
elective course credit. Courses required for a different specialization can
count as elective courses.
An
additional 9 credits of dissertation research must be completed after advancement
to candidacy (qualifier).
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.
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.
