Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Program Summary

Our doctoral program prepares students to become academic and industry leaders in materials science and engineering.

Students pursuing the Doctor of Philosophy degree in materials science and engineering will undertake advanced research under the mentorship of a core faculty advisor (P.I.), most often on a government or industry funded project as a paid research assistant. The degree plan will involve consideration of a challenging problem utilizing analytical, experimental, and/or design techniques. This research – in addition to coursework, annual program evaluations, journal articles, and dissertation credits – will culminate in a final dissertation.

The dissertation will contain new analytical knowledge, experimental knowledge, design knowledge, or a combination thereof. Whatever its nature, the dissertation must make an original contribution to the field.

Most of our PhD students graduate in 4.5 to 5.5 years. Currently, there is no part-time PhD option.

PhD Curriculum (72 credits)

  • Minimum 72 credits
  • Only one 3 credit 400-level course counts toward the total minimum requirements
  • 3.0 Cumulative GPA
  • Must obtain 3.3 GPA in Core courses
  • Annual Evaluation (due every spring)
  • Written Dissertation
  • Faculty advisor requirements- check with your advisor for publication, presentation, and other graduation requirements.

Course descriptions can be found on the MSE course catalog page.

  • MSE 501- Tech Transfer (1cr)
    The pathways toward commercialization of materials from research. Case studies, technology readiness levels, proposal writing, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property practices.
  • MSE 502A- Materials Technology Transfer (1 cr)
    Introduction to the atomic level arrangements of materials, defects related to these structures, and X-ray Diffraction, X-ray scattering, and electron diffraction methods.
  • MSE 502B- MSE Methods: Materials Structure and Scattering (1 cr)
    Introduction to mathematical and computational methods that are used to model materials: Simulation/Modeling, Monte-Carlo, Monte-Carlo Potts, Density Functional Theory, and other approaches.
  • MSE 502C, D, E or F (select one credit)
  • MSE 502C- Microscopy (1 cr)
    Introduction to modern microscopy techniques for materials research using optical microscopy. Interferometry and confocal techniques, scanning electron, microscopy transmission electron microscopy, and scanning probe microscopy.
  • MSE 502D- Spectroscopy (1 cr)
    The investigation and measurement of spectra produced when matter interacts with or emits electromagnetic radiation, including an introduction to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, Raman and infrared, and energy dispersive spectroscopy for materials research.
  • MSE 502E- Bulk Properties and Performance (1 cr)
    Physical properties of materials and how they relate to the functionalization of materials, including their use in electronic, magnetic, optical, and other functional devices.
  • MSE 502F- Experimental Methods for Materials Research (1 cr)
    Modern experimental design methods and techniques for materials research. Topics include vacuum systems, cryogenic experimentation, temperature characterization, data acquisition and digitization, device and circuitry design in the context of materials research.
  • MSE 503- Mechanical Behaviors of Materials (3 cr)
    The mechanical behavior of metals, polymeric, ceramic, and composite materials in mechanical designs considering multiple factors such as structure, processing, and physical properties. Practical and specific performance analyses of structural materials are examined.
  • MSE 504- Thermodynamics of Materials (3 cr)
    The mechanical behavior of metals, polymeric, ceramic, and composite materials in mechanical designs considering multiple factors such as structure, processing, and physical properties. Practical and specific performance analyses of structural materials are examined.
  • MSE 523- Electronic Properties of Materials (3 cr)
    Introduction to the electronic properties of materials, including band structures, quantum mechanics and optical characteristics.
  • MSE 793A- Professional Development Seminar: MSE and DEI (1 cr)
    Professional and personal skill development regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion as it pertains to opportunities in materials science and engineering.
  • MSE 793B- Professional Development Seminar: Materials and Society (1 cr)
    The connections between materials and society, fusing basic concepts in materials science and engineering with perspectives and methods from anthropology, history, and sociology.
  • MSE 793C- Professional Development Seminar: MSE Careers (1 cr)
    Professional and personal skill development pertaining to careers in materials science and engineering (MSE) and presentations from speakers in various MSE careers roles.
  • MSE 436- Green Engineering–Materials and Environment (3 cr)
    Principles of green engineering in the context of materials, human dependence on materials, and the environmental consequences of materials selection. Perspective, background, methods, and data for evaluating and designing with materials to minimize the environmental impact.
  • MSE 465- Sustainable Strategies for E-Waste Management (3 cr)
    Trans-disciplinary overview of the electronics industry, with an emphasis on sources and impacts of e-waste on human & natural systems. Systems approaches to mitigating environmental and social impacts of electronics–from product design, materials and manufacture to use, re-use, recycle and disposal. Apply learnings in trans-disciplinary project teams to evaluate opportunities for improving the sustainability of the industry and its products.
  • MSE 502D- Spectroscopy (1 cr) (cannot double count for core course credits)
    The investigation and measurement of spectra produced when matter interacts with or emits electromagnetic radiation, including an introduction to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, Raman and infrared, and energy dispersive spectroscopy for materials research.
  • MSE 502E- Bulk Properties and Performance (1 cr) (cannot double count for core course credits)
    Physical properties of materials and how they relate to the functionalization of materials, including their use in electronic, magnetic, optical, and other functional devices.
  • MSE 502F- Experimental Methods for Materials Research (1 cr) (cannot double count for core course credits)
    Modern experimental design methods and techniques for materials research. Topics include vacuum systems, cryogenic experimentation, temperature characterization, data acquisition and digitization, device and circuitry design in the context of materials research.
  • MSE 631- Crystal Defects (1 cr)
    Mechanics, thermodynamics and kinetics of defects in crystalline solids including point defects, dislocations, and grain boundaries.
  • MSE 651- Special Topics (1 cr) New or emerging topics in materials science and engineering.
    Or choose from our materials related courses list

  • MSE 795- Independent Study (1-12 cr)
    Independent study of special topics in materials science and engineering.
  • MSE 799- Thesis (1-12 cr)
    Thesis in materials science and engineering.

Application Information

For Application information and admission requirements, visit our admissions information page.