Graduate Degree Information, Materials Science and Engineering

Graduate Degree Information (from the 96/98 Bulletin)

Degrees awarded: M.S. in Materials Science Engineering; Ph.D. in Materials Science Engineering The Department of Materials Science and Engineering offers graduate work leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The motivating philosophy of the graduate program is to provide the student with a broad synthesis of the theoretical and experimental techniques required for work with all classes of materials. Emphasis is placed on courses that unify the field in terms of fundamentals treated with sufficient depth to enable the student to make technological contributions in diverse areas of materials science and engineering. Laboratory and course work are structured to provide programs for students who (1) are currently employed and can complete their studies in the evening, (2) are working in materials-related industries and can integrate their work experience into their degree requirements, or (3) are entering intensive basic research-oriented programs leading to a Ph.D. or Master of Science degree.

Industrial Cooperative Ph.D. Program

A special Ph.D. degree program is offered by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering for highly qualified individuals working in an industrial materials research area. Candidates for this program must have met the graduate coursework requirements for the Ph.D., typically by earning a master's degree. Doctoral research is generally done at the student's place of employment, rather than on the university campus. Contact the department for further information.

One-Year Masters Program

Students admitted to this program can complete all requirements for the degree in two semesters of full-time study. Required courses are given in the late afternoon or evening and research projects can be carried out at the student's work location. Contact the department for further information.

Degree Requirements Requirements for the M.S. Degree

In addition to the minimum requirements of the Graduate School, the requirements for the M.S. degree in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering can be satisfied by either one of the two following options:

I. M.S. Non-Thesis Option
- A. Election
  The election of this option must be made by the student upon admission to the program.
- B. Coursework
  - 1. A minimum of 30 graduate credits with a grade point aver-age of 3.0 or better in all graduate courses taken is required to graduate.
  - 2. Of the required 30 credits, 18 must be graduate course credits offered by the department, excluding ESM 599, 697, 698, and 699.
  - 3. The 30 credits must include a minimum of five core courses selected from the following list:
    ESM 512 or higher-level diffraction course;
    ESM 513; ESM 511 or higher-level thermodynamics course;
    ESM 531; ESM 522 or higher-level imperfections course;
    PHY 511 or CHE 521;
    PHY 512 or CHE 522;
    ESM 523; PHY 555; PHY 556;
    PHY 682. At least one of these courses must be taken in each semester until the core program requirement is met.
  - 4. The 30 credits must include at least three credits of ESM 698.
- C. Terminal Status
  A student in this degree option is considered a terminating student.
II. M.S. Thesis Option
- A. Election
  The election of this option must be made by the student upon admission to the program.
- B. Coursework
  - 1. A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required to graduate. An average grade of B or bet-ter is required for all courses.
  - 2. The 30 credits must include a minimum of five core courses selected from the following list:
    ESM 512 or higher-level dif-fraction course;
    ESM 513; ESM 511 or higher-level thermodynamics course;
    ESM 531; ESM 522 or higher-level imperfections course;
    PHY 511 or CHE 521;
    PHY 512 or CHE 522;
    ESM 523; PHY 555; PHY 556;
    PHY 682. At least one of these courses must be taken in each semester until the core pro-gram requirement is met.
  - 3. The 30 credits must include at least three credits of ESM 698 and six credits of ESM 599.
- C. Thesis
  For the student who elects to complete a thesis for the M.S. degree, the thesis must be approved by three faculty members, at least two of whom are members of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, including the research advisor.
- D. Final Recommendation
  Upon fulfillment of the above requirements the faculty of the graduate program will recommend to the dean of the Graduate School through the graduate pro-gram committee, that the Master of Science degree be conferred or will stipulate further requirements that the student must fulfill.
- E. Transfer to Other Options
  Transfer to another degree option in the department can be made only with the written permission of the graduate program director.

Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree

A. Plan of Work
Before completion of one year of full-time residence, the student must have selected a research advisor who agrees to serve in that capacity. The student will then prepare a plan of further course-work. This must receive the approval of the student’s advisor and of the graduate committee.
B. Coursework
- 1. An average grade of B or higher is required for all courses.
- 2. The student must pass a mini-mum of five core courses selected from the following list:
  ESM 512 or higher-level diffraction course;
  ESM 513; ESM 511 or higher-level thermodynamics course;
  ESM 531; ESM 522 or higher-level imperfections course;
  PHY 511 or CHE 521;
  PHY 512 or CHE 522;
  ESM 523; PHY 555; PHY 556;
  PHY 682. At least one of these courses must be taken in each semester until the core pro-gram requirement is met.
- 3. The student must pass at least three credits of ESM 698 and six credits of ESM 699.
C. Preliminary Examination
This is an oral examination designed to test the student’s ability to utilize his or her materials science background to carry out research in a chosen field of study, and to make clear written and oral presentations of research. At least ten days prior to the examination, the candidate should submit a research proposal (10-15 pages) to the examiners that places the research in con-text and outlines a scenario for its completion. The examination committee will consist of four members: the research advisor, two faculty members of the Materials Science and Engineering Department, and one member from outside the MSE Department. Full-time students entering the program with a bachelor’s degree must take the preliminary examination before the end of their fourth semester. If a second examination is required, it must be completed by the tenth week of the fifth semester.
D. Advancement to Candidacy
After the student has successfully completed all requirements for the degree, other than the dissertation, he or she is eligible to be recommended for advancement to candidacy. This status is conferred by the dean of the Graduate School upon recommendation of the chairperson and the graduate program director.
E. Dissertation
The most important requirement of the Ph.D. degree is the completion of a dissertation, which must be an original scholarly investigation. The dissertation shall represent a significant contribution to the scientific literature and its quality shall be compatible with the publication standards of appropriate and reputable scholarly journals.
F. Defense
The candidate shall defend the dissertation before an examining committee consisting of four members, including the research advisor, two members of the Materials Science and Engineering Department, and one member from outside the department.
G. Residency
Two consecutive semesters of full-time study are required.
H. Time Limit
All requirements for the Ph.D. degree must be completed within seven years after completing 24 credit hours of graduate courses in the program.

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last modified on 06/14/97 by JQ.