Materials Science - Ph.D.

Program Overview

Materials Science - Ph.D.

Overview

The Materials Science Ph.D. program offers advanced coursework and research opportunities in materials science, preparing you for a career in academia or industry. With experienced faculty and access to state-of-the-art facilities, you will be equipped with the skills needed to make an impact in the field.

Admissions

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• Two letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 50 PTE score
  • Minimum 100 DET score

GRE scores (general and subject test in physics or chemistry) are not required, but strongly recommended. Admission will be granted by examination of the student's background on an individual basis. Students from a variety of undergraduate majors—such as physics, chemistry, engineering and materials science—are invited to apply.

Coursework

• Major Requirements:
  • MTSC 72242: CHARACTERIZATION OF SOFT MATTER (3 credits)
  • MTSC 73000: PHYSICS OF SOFT MATTER (3 credits)
  • MTSC 73015: CHEMISTRY OF SOFT MATTER (3 credits)
  • MTSC 73020: APPLICATIONS OF SOFT MATTER (3 credits)
  • Approved Electives (18-48 credits)
• Culminating Requirement:
  • MTSC 80199: DISSERTATION I (30 credits)

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum Major GPA: 3.000
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.000
• Candidacy Requirement: Pass the materials science candidacy examination, which includes a written exam and an oral exam.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Develop an advanced understanding of the fundamental science of liquid crystals and related advanced materials and ability to apply acquired knowledge of physical and chemical properties of soft materials and devices such as liquid crystals, polymers, colloids and active matter.
2. Gain experience in presenting scientific data in research publications, articles, posters and oral presentations.
3. Apply acquired knowledge to the discovery of new advanced materials and development of advanced materials-based devices and applications.

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Materials Science provides students with extensive scientific training, cutting-edge research opportunities and engineering skills necessary for a variety of careers in academy and industry. Program faculty and students conduct research through Kent State's participating departments and the Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute. Such research includes liquid crystal synthesis and molecular design; properties of liquid crystals and related advanced materials; lyotropic liquid crystals and bio-related materials, opto-electronics; and nanoscience and nanotechnologies. These important research foci are inherently interdisciplinary.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Materials Science Ph.D. program offers advanced coursework and research opportunities in materials science, preparing you for a career in academia or industry. With experienced faculty and access to state-of-the-art facilities, you will be equipped with the skills needed to make an impact in the field. The program focuses on liquid crystal synthesis and molecular design; properties of liquid crystals and related advanced materials; lyotropic liquid crystals and bio-related materials, opto-electronics; and nanoscience and nanotechnologies.

Outline:

Major Requirements:

• MTSC 72242 CHARACTERIZATION OF SOFT MATTER (3 credit hours)
• MTSC 73000 PHYSICS OF SOFT MATTER (3 credit hours)
• MTSC 73015 CHEMISTRY OF SOFT MATTER (3 credit hours)
• MTSC 73020 APPLICATIONS OF SOFT MATTER (3 credit hours)
• Approved Electives (18-48 credit hours) - Choose from the following:
• BSCI 70158 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
• BSCI 70220 BIOINFORMATICS
• BSCI 71120 BIOLOGICAL LIGHT MICROSCOPY
• CHEM 70254 BIOMEMBRANES
• MTSC 72335 ADVANCED LIQUID CRYSTALLINE AND POLYMERIC MATERIALS
• MTSC 72450 LIQUID CRYSTAL OPTICS I: THEORY
• MTSC 72452 LIQUID CRYSTAL OPTICS II: OPTICAL SYSTEMS
• MTSC 72460 LIQUID CRYSTAL MATERIALS SCIENCE
• MTSC 72462 LIQUID CRYSTAL SCIENCE: PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
• MTSC 72640 LIQUID CRYSTAL, POLYMER AND COLLOID COMPOSITES
• MTSC 73010 LYOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTALS
• MTSC 74495 SPECIAL TOPICS IN CHEMICAL PHYSICS
• MTSC 75006 LIQUID CRYSTAL DEVICE PROTOTYPING
• MTSC 75008 LIQUID CRYSTAL DEVICE CONSTRUCTION
• MTSC 75032 SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION
• MTSC 80498 RESEARCH
• PHY 76403 ADVANCED CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
• PHY 78401 LIQUID CRYSTAL PHYSICS
• Additional courses with advisor approval
• Culminating Requirement:
• MTSC 80199 DISSERTATION I
(130 credit hours for post-baccalaureate students, 90 credit hours for post-master's students, 60 credit hours total)

Assessment:

• Materials Science Candidacy Examination:
• Written Exam:
Covers core courses from the first year of study.
• Oral Exam: Follows the written exam.
• Second Attempt: Allowed for students who do not pass the first time.
• Exception Requests: Considered for medical reasons or other unpredictable circumstances.

Teaching:

• Faculty: Experienced faculty members with expertise in materials science.
• Research Opportunities: Access to state-of-the-art facilities for research.
• Interdisciplinary Focus: Research is inherently interdisciplinary, involving multiple departments and the Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Computer and information research scientists
• Physical scientists, all other
• Physicists
• Biochemists and biophysicists
• Biological scientists, all other
• Chemists
• Chemical engineers

Other:

• Program Delivery: In person
• Location: Kent Campus
• Research Focus: Liquid crystal synthesis and molecular design; properties of liquid crystals and related advanced materials; lyotropic liquid crystals and bio-related materials, opto-electronics; and nanoscience and nanotechnologies.
• Affinity Groups for Graduate Students: The Division of Graduate Studies sponsors affinity groups for graduate students who are parents and for first-generation graduate students.
• Faculty Research in the News: Research at Kent State focuses on solving major global challenges we face as a society - in healthcare, energy and sustainability.
• Graduate Awards and Fellowships: The Division of Graduate Studies at Kent State University administers a number of fellowships and awards for new and continuing students.