Materials Science and Engineering Doctoral Program

Who should apply 

We welcome applicants holding a master’s degree in materials science and engineering (up to 30 credits can be transferred to Stevens’ Ph.D. program). In exceptional cases, applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree in materials science or a related field but also have a strong background in chemistry or physics may be considered. Most often, however, they will be enrolled in the master’s program first. Well-qualified candidates will demonstrate a history of scholarly specialization in a related discipline.

Program Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master's degree, with a minimum GPA of 3.0, from an accredited institution

• Official college transcripts

• Two letters of recommendation

• Resume or curriculum vitae

• A statement of purpose

• For international students: An excellent TOEFL/IELTS score

• A competitive GRE or GMAT score (only required for full-time applicants)

• Writing sample (such as journal or conference publication, thesis, or research reports)

• View General Admissions Requirements >

Information about assistantships and fellowships can be found here.

Materials Science and Engineering Doctoral Program Curriculum Overview

The materials science and engineering doctoral program prepares Ph.D. students for careers in a broad range of fields that require the design of unique surface materials such as electronics, alternate energy and biomedical professions.

By the end of this program, you will be able to:

• Undertake independent research

• Present the results of research to professional expert audiences

• Lead a research program

Degree Requirements

Eighty-four 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 time limit of six years is set for completion of the doctoral program. The preliminary requirements for the doctorate are regarded not as ends in themselves, but rather as preparation for the dissertation in which the student demonstrates ability.

Each Ph.D. curriculum must also adhere to the institute wide standards listed in the academic catalog.

VIEW REQUIREMENTS >

Qualifying Examination

The Ph.D. qualifying exam consists of a written and an oral exam. Students are strongly encouraged to take the qualifying exam within two semesters of enrollment in the graduate program. A minimum of 3.5 GPA must be satisfied in order to take the exam.

Doctoral Dissertation and Advisory Committee

A doctoral dissertation for a minimum of 30 credits and based on the results of the student's 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 dissertation for the doctoral program can be completed by participating in one of the following research programs of the department:

• Alternative energy

• Biologically active materials

• Crystallization

• Electron microscopy and polymer interfaces

• Heterogeneous catalysis, infrared spectroscopy, density-functional theory (DFT) calculations

• Mathematical modeling and simulation of transport processes

• Microchemical systems

• Nanomaterial assembly, phenomena and applications

• Polymer characterization and processing

• Rheology, modeling, processing and microstructure of filled materials

• Lab-in-fiber optofluidics, surface plasmonics for chem/bio sensing and imaging

LEARN MORE ABOUT GENERAL REQUIREMENTS >

If you have existing graduate credits or experience in this area of study, contact [email protected] to discuss opportunities to include it in the curriculum.