The Department of Materials Science and Engineering offers graduate work leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. The goal of the graduate program is to provide the student with a broad synthesis of the theoretical and experimental techniques required for advanced work with all classes of materials. Emphasis is placed on experiences that unify the field in terms of fundamentals, treated with sufficient depth to enable the student to contribute in diverse areas of Materials Science and Engineering. The program has four main components.

STM image of a Ge surface.

Formal Courses

Graduate instruction provides a comprehensive understanding of the entire field of Materials Science and Engineering. Courses are designed to show how fundamental concepts are developed and applied to any type of material in almost any current application. Laboratory and course work are structured to provide programs accessible to students who are:

(1) enrolled full-time in the MS or Ph.D. program.
(2) studying part-time either on campus, or at home 
    or their place of work via the EngiNet distance-learning program.
(3) working in materials-related industries and able to integrate 
    their work experience into their degree requirements.

Independent and Informal Study

Students are expected to develop a lifelong habit of extending their knowledge continuously, both in breadth and depth. This is achieved through reading advanced texts and learned journals; by discussions with other students, researchers, staff and faculty members; and by attending the Departmental Colloquium Series. Attendance at all departmental colloquia is required for all graduate students in residence.

Teaching

Teaching is a powerful means of consolidating your knowledge and also develops the communication skills that are essential in any form of technical employment. The Department provides each graduate student with a variety of teaching experiences, throughout his or her graduate studies.

Research

Students are introduced to the processes of questioning, hypothesizing, data-gathering, analysis, synthesis and publishing that go into the production of new knowledge. They experience cutting-edge research under faculty supervision in the research labs and programs within the Department, or in collaboration with other research units, on or off campus.

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09/04/98 JQ