Materials Science and Engineering (MSMSE)

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Central Florida prepares students for research, development, and industry careers in materials science. The program focuses on various areas, including crystal growth, high-temperature materials, thin films, and nanomaterials. Students can choose between thesis and non-thesis options, both requiring a minimum of 30 credit hours, including required courses in structure and properties, thermodynamics, and kinetics. Electives allow students to specialize in specific areas of interest.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering (MSMSE) program at the University of Central Florida (UCF) is designed primarily for students holding a bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering or a closely related field.

Objectives:

The program aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of materials science and engineering principles, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful careers in research, development, and industry.

Program Description:

• Focus Areas: The program emphasizes research and study in various fields, including:
• Crystal growth
• High-temperature materials and coatings
• Multicomponent interdiffusion
• Material stability and degradation
• Shape memory alloys
• Mechanical behavior
• Magnetic, optical, and electronic materials
• Thin films
• Solar cells
• Sensors
• Ceramics
• Powder metallurgy
• Non-equilibrium processing of materials
• Nano synthesis and consolidation
• Nanomaterials (including quantum dots, nanowires, and nanocomposites)
• Biomaterials
• Electrochemically active materials
• Program Options: The MSMSE program offers both thesis and non-thesis options, each requiring a minimum of 30 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree.
• Course Structure: The program generally includes 12-15 credit hours of required courses, with the remaining hours dedicated to electives.
Thesis students must complete at least six credit hours of thesis work.
• Professional Licensure: The program has potential ties to professional licensure or certification in the field.
• Online Completion: The MSMSE program can be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online.
Students completing the program exclusively online may be eligible for a reduction in campus-based fees.
• International Student Requirements: International students (F or J visa) must enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters.
Only 3 of these credit hours can be taken in a completely online format.

Other:

• Program Prerequisites: A bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Prerequisites (or equivalent):
• Mathematics through Differential Equations (MAP 2302)
• Structure and Properties of Materials (EGN 3365)
• Mechanics of Materials (EGN 3331) or Thermodynamics (EGN 3343)
• Experimental Techniques in Mechanics and Materials (EMA 3012C)
• Required Courses (15 Total Credits):
• All students must take five required courses unless they hold a materials engineering undergraduate degree, in which case they may substitute an additional elective for EMA 5104.
• Complete the following:
• EMA5104 - Intermediate Structure and Properties of Materials (3)
• EMA5106 - Metallurgical Thermodynamics (3)
• EMA5317 - Materials Kinetics (3)
• Choose 1 Group:
• Complete the following:
• EMA6126 - Physical Metallurgy (3)
• EMA6626 - Mechanical Behavior of Materials (3)
• Complete the following:
• EMA5060 - Polymer Science and Engineering (3)
• EMA6319 - Colloids and Interface Engineering (3)
• Elective Courses (9 Total Credits):
• All students, both thesis and non-thesis, must take at least 9 credit hours of electives.
• Earn at least 9 credits from the following:
• EMA5108 - Surface Science (3)
• EMA5140 - Introduction to Ceramic Materials (3)
• EMA5504 - Modern Characterization of Materials (3)
• EMA6130 - Advanced Phase Transformations in Materials (3)
• EMA6136 - Diffusion in Solids (3)
• EMA5585 - Materials Science of Thin Films (3)
• EMA6516 - X-ray Diffraction and Crystallography (3)
• EMA5586 - Photovoltaic Solar Energy Materials (3)
• EMA5584 - Biomaterials (3)
• EMA6149 - Imperfections in Crystals (3)
• EMA5505 - Scanning Electron Microscopy (3)
• EMA5060 - Polymer Science and Engineering (3)
• EMA6518 - Transmission Electron Microscopy (3)
• EMA5705 - High Temperature Materials (3)
• EMA6605 - Materials Processing Techniques (3)
• EMA5610 - Laser Materials Processing (3)
• EML6085 - Research Methods in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (3 - 99)
• EMA6611 - Optoelectronics Materials Processing (3)
• CHM5450 - Polymer Chemistry (3)
• CHM5451C - Techniques in Polymer Science (3)
• CHM6711 - Chemistry of Materials (3)
• EEE5332C - Thin Film Technology (3)
• EEE5352 - Semiconductor Material and Device Characterization (3)
• EEE6326C - MEMS Fabrication Laboratory (3)
• EML5290 - Introduction to MEMS and Micromachining (3)
• EML5291 - MEMS Materials (3)
• OSE5312 - Light Matter Interaction (3)
• PHZ5405 - Condensed Matter Physics (3)
• Thesis/Nonthesis Option (6 Total Credits):
• Thesis Option:
• Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: EMA 6971 Thesis
• Thesis students must complete an independent research project, write a thesis describing the project, and successfully defend their thesis.
• Nonthesis Option:
• Complete all of the following:
• Nonthesis students are required to demonstrate their ability to perform independently in research conditions by completing either EML 6085 - Research Methods in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering or EMA/EML 6918.
• They must also take another elective beyond the 9 credit hours of electives described above.
• Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
• EML6085 - Research Methods in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (3 - 99)
• EMA6918 - Research (1 - 99)
• Earn at least 3 credits from the following types of courses: Additional Elective Course from the list above.
• Grand Total Credits: 30
• Independent Learning: The Independent Learning Requirement is met by successful completion of a master's thesis or EMA 6096 - Research Methods in Materials Science and Engineering or EMA 6918 Directed Research for non-thesis students.