• Doctor of Philosophy

• Master of Science

Doctor of Philosophy degree:

A total of 72 credit hours are required and distributed as follows:

1. a maximum of 18 credit hours for research, depending on the department
2. a maximum of 15 credit hours in core courses in a department
3. a minimum of 27 credit hours in materials science and engineering core area courses, (at least 3 of which must be in Mathematical Methods).

1. Mathematical Methods
2. Thermodynamics/Statistical Mechanics
3. Atomic Arrangements in Solids
4. Phase Equilibria
5. Waves and Diffraction in Materials
6. Imperfections in Crystalline Solids
7. Rate Processes in Materials
8. Mechanical Behavior of Materials
9. Electronic Behavior of Materials
10. Synthesis, Characterization Processing, and Manufacturing

No more than 6 credit hours may be taken in one core area. It is to be noted that in some instances, two or three of these core areas are covered in a single course extending over two semesters. Graduate core courses in MASEAD departments usually cover many MASEAD program core requisites and satisfy course credit hours. The remaining course credit hours may be taken from electives, subject to the approval of the MSE Program Committee and consistent with departmental requirements. No more semester credit hours than are permitted by a department for approved courses having a grade of B or higher may be transferred from another University.

A MASEAD program student is required to maintain at least a B (3.00) overall average in core area courses and in all courses outside the core area. A student failing to maintain a 3.00 grade point average as previously specified will be re-evaluated by the MSE Program Committee in consultation with the student's department, and may be suspended from the program or given a specified time to correct deficiencies inherent in the substandard performance. Course grades of C or lower will not be counted in fulfillment of the minimum requirements for the Ph.D.

For departments giving qualifying and preliminary examinations, the preliminary examination will conform to the time and structure of the examination in a given department. For MASEAD program students, it is recommended that a portion of this examination be focused around a materials area. In instances where a MASEAD program student has performed exceptionally well in courses prior to taking the preliminary examination it is recommended that the preliminary examination be an oral presentation centered around a materials research topic before a committee of six (but no less than five) professors, not necessarily limited to those departments in the program. In other instances, a combination of written and oral examinations may be specified. In these situations, the type of examination administered and the examination committee must be approved by the MSE Program Committee and the student's department.

An additional oral presentation on the thesis work is required for departments giving only a preliminary or one examination for the Ph.D. (Physics and Mechanical Engineering). This oral presentation is given after passing the one examination for Ph.D. candidacy, but before the normal thesis defense and serves to test the student's knowledge of materials in the context of his/her thesis and to ensure that a student is making adequate progress towards completion of the Ph.D. degree. The time of this presentation is determined by the research advisor in conjunction with an examining committee (six professors, no less than five) subject to the approval by the MSE Program Committee and the student's department.

1. A MASEAD program Ph.D. student will qualify for candidacy for the Ph.D. in the program by:
2. satisfying the 72 credit hours for the Ph.D. as previously given;
3. passing the written qualifying examinations in a department;
4. passing preliminary oral or oral and written examinations as specified under examination requirements;
5. submitting a thesis proposal in a materials area; and,
6. writing and defending an original thesis in a materials area.

The successful Ph.D. student will be awarded the Ph.D. degree in a department which will read "(Ph.D. in (department name) with a Major in Materials Science and Engineering."

1. a minimum of 9 credit hours taken from MASEAD Program core area courses
2. a maximum of 6 credit hours for research the remaining 15 credit hours distributed between graduate core courses in a department and recommended graduate electives.

In addition:

1. a student wishing to qualify for candidacy for the M.S. degree must satisfy any departmental requirements for this degree, and write and defend a master's
2. thesis in a materials area under the direction of a research advisor, and
3. receive an M.S. degree from a department reading "M.S. in (department name) with a Major in Materials Science and Engineering."

For both the M.S. and Ph.D. levels, any conflict concerning course requirements and examinations between the MASEAD and a department in the program shall defer to departmental requirements.