Materials Science and Engineering, PhD draft
Program Overview
Materials Science and Engineering, PhD
The Materials Science and Engineering PhD program at the University of WisconsinMadison focuses on advancing the field of materials science and engineering to address critical challenges facing modern society. These challenges include providing carbon-free and renewable energy, clean water, advanced medical treatments and devices, and sustainable materials manufacturing. The program emphasizes research in various areas, such as ceramics, computational material science, composites, corrosion, electrical, optical, magnetic materials, growth and synthesis, joining, materials for energy, metals, materials characterization and microscopy, nanomaterials, phase transformations, photonics, polymers and biomaterials, materials for nuclear energy, quantum computing, self-assembly, semiconductors, structural materials and mechanical properties, surfaces and interfaces, sustainability, thin films, and wear.
Research Areas
- Ceramics
- Computational material science
- Composites
- Corrosion
- Electrical, optical, magnetic materials
- Growth and synthesis
- Joining
- Materials for energy
- Metals
- Materials characterization and microscopy
- Nanomaterials
- Phase transformations
- Photonics
- Polymers and biomaterials
- Materials for nuclear energy
- Quantum computing
- Self-assembly
- Semiconductors
- Structural materials and mechanical properties
- Surfaces and interfaces
- Sustainability
- Thin films
- Wear
Admissions
Admission to the Materials Science and Engineering PhD program is highly selective. The minimum GPA required is 3.0/4.0, and most admitted applicants have an undergraduate GPA above 3.5. The application process involves submitting academic transcripts, English proficiency scores (if applicable), three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a resume. The deadlines for application are December 15 for the fall semester, September 1 for the spring semester, and December 15 for the summer semester.
Admission Requirements
- Minimum GPA: 3.0/4.0
- Fall Deadline: December 15
- Spring Deadline: September 1
- Summer Deadline: December 15
- GRE: Not required
- English Proficiency Test: Refer to the Graduate School's policy
- Letters of Recommendation: 3
- Other requirements: BS in the physical sciences or engineering, with undergraduate studies including mathematics through differential equations, at least one year each of general physics and chemistry, a course in physical chemistry or modern physics, and an elementary course in properties of materials.
Funding
The Graduate School and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering offer various types of financial assistance, including research assistantships, teaching assistantships, fellowships, and special grants. Decisions regarding financial support are made based on the graduate school application and the matching of the interests or experience of the applicant to the research programs of individual faculty members.
Types of Funding
- Research assistantships
- Teaching assistantships
- Fellowships
- Special grants
Requirements
The PhD program in Materials Science and Engineering requires a minimum of 51 credits, with at least 32 credits of residence credit and 26 credits of graduate-level coursework. Students must pass a qualifying exam, a preliminary exam/thesis proposal exam, and defend their doctoral dissertation. The program also requires completing a doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate.
Curricular Requirements
- Minimum Credit Requirement: 51 credits
- Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 32 credits
- Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 26 credits
- Qualifying Exam: Yes
- Preliminary Exam/Thesis Proposal Exam: Yes
- Doctoral Dissertation: Yes
- Language Requirements: None
- Graduate School Breadth Requirement: Yes
Required Courses
- Materials Research Seminar (2 credits, for two consecutive semesters)
- Materials Core Courses (9 credits, three courses from a list of options)
- Graduate-level Math Course (one course from a list of options)
- Materials Elective Courses (6 credits, from a list of options)
- Additional Coursework and/or Research (25 credits)
- Breadth (9 credits, doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate)
Policies
The program is guided by expectations for the conduct of students and faculty that help establish a safe, collegial, and productive environment facilitating scientific discovery and professional development. These expectations include intellectual and professional integrity, safe and environmentally responsible conduct of research, professional research environment, and professional development and achievement in research.
Major-Specific Policies
- Prior Coursework: Transfer credits from other institutions, undergraduate credits, and credits earned as a professional student or University Special student have specific requirements and limitations.
- Probation: Refer to the Graduate School's probation policy.
- Advisor/Committee: Students are expected to have an advisor by the end of their first year, and the doctoral committee consists of five faculty members.
- Credits Per Term Allowed: 15 credit maximum.
- Time Limits: The PhD is typically completed within six years, with specific deadlines for the qualifying exam, preliminary exam, and PhD defense.
Professional Development
The Graduate School and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering offer resources for professional development, including assistance with internships, co-ops, and jobs, as well as support for writing and communication skills.
Resources
- Engineering Career Services
- The Writing Center
Learning Outcomes
The program aims to develop students who can:
- Demonstrate an ability to synthesize knowledge from a subset of the biological, physical, and social sciences to help frame problems critical to the future of their discipline.
- Conduct original research.
- Demonstrate an ability to create new knowledge and communicate it to their peers.
- Foster ethical and professional conduct.