Materials science and engineering impacts almost all industrial activity and has been a key enabler of most of the technological advances that have shaped our modern world. Examples range from superalloys and composites for aerospace structures, soft and biomaterials for bacteria-resistant implantable devices, and novel electronic and photonic materials for robust imaging and sensing systems that are now so much part of our lives and national security.
Materials science and engineering encompasses a spectrum from new materials development to exploitation of their functionality through molecular and nanoscale design, high-degree of controlled synthesis and assembly, and incorporation of their (multi)functionality into components, devices, or systems. It also includes sustainability issues related to our finite materials resources and the impact of materials utilization and disposal on the environment. |
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Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering doctoral programs are an integral part of the Institute-wide Nanotechnology Graduate Program. Ph.D. degree options in these disciplines with a Nanotechnology concentration are available to students who satisfy the conditions and requirements outlined in a separate section of this catalog. A thesis for the master’s or doctoral program can be completed by participating in one of the following research programs of the department.
- Biologically Active Material - Professor Libera
- Biochemical Engineering - Professor DeLancey
- Crystallization - Professors Kovenklioglu and Kalyon
- Electron Microscopy and Polymer Interfaces - Professor Libera
- Heterogeneous catalysis, infrared spectroscopy, density-functional theory (DFT) calculations – Prof. Podkolzin
- Mathematical Modeling and Simulation of Transport Processes – Professor Lawal
- Microchemical Systems - Professors Lee, Lawal, Besser, and Kovenklioglu
- Polymer Characterization and Processing - Professor Kalyon
- Rheology Modeling Processability and Microstructure of Filled Materials - Professor Kalyon
- Surface Modification at Multiple Length Scales, Photonic Sensing, High-Temperature Oxidation - Professor Du
- Surface Science and Engineering - Professor Rothberg
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Ninety credits of graduate work in an approved program of study are required beyond the bachelor’s degree; this may include up to 30 credits obtained in a master’s degree program, if the area of the master's degree is relevant to the doctoral program. A doctoral dissertation for a minimum of 30 credits and based on the results of your original research, carried out under the guidance of a faculty member and defended in a public examination, is a major component of the doctoral program. The Ph.D. qualifying exam consists of an oral exam only. Students are strongly encouraged to take the qualifying exam within two semesters of enrollment in the graduate program. A minimum of 3.3 GPA must be satisfied in order to take the exam. A time limit of six years is set for completion of the doctoral program. |
