Program Overview

Chemical and Molecular Engineering, PhD

Overview

The Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering offers a dynamic and interdisciplinary curriculum that prepares students to lead innovative research across a broad range of emerging fields. With strong foundations in both theoretical and experimental methods, the program is designed to train the next generation of materials scientists and engineers to tackle the complex technological and societal challenges of our time.

Research Areas

• Energy storage and conversion
• Catalysis
• Hard and structural materials
• Computational materials science
• Microelectronics
• Nuclear materials
• Polymers and soft materials
• Sustainable engineering
• Thermal spray technologies

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical and Molecular Engineering (or a closely related field)
• A grade point average of at least B (i.e., 3.0/4.0) in all mathematics, engineering, and science courses
• 3 Recommendation Letters
• TOEFL 90, IELTS 6.5 (for international applicants) score is required
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test (Optional)
• Acceptance by both the Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering and the Graduate School

Degree Requirements

A. Plan of Work

• Before completion of one year of full-time residency, the student must have selected a research advisor who agrees to serve in that capacity
• The student will then prepare a plan of further coursework, which must receive the approval of the student's advisor and of the Graduate Program Committee

B. Course Requirements

• An average grade of B or higher is required for all courses, and an overall grade point average of 3.0 out of 4.0 must be maintained
• A minimum of 60 graduate credits are required to graduate with a Ph.D. degree in Chemical and Molecular Engineering
• Four core courses (CME 501 - Fluid Mechanics, CME 502 - Mathematical Analysis & Modeling, CME 503 - Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, CME 504 - Chemical Reaction Engineering) for a total of 12 credits
• Additional four elective courses within the CME program for a total of 12 credits are required
• All courses taken outside the Department require permission from the Graduate Program Director
• All students must complete CME 555 - Teaching and Mentoring Techniques for Chemical and Molecular Engineering, CME 594 - Technical Writing for Chemical and Molecular Engineering for 1 credit each, and CME 697 - Chemical and Molecular Engineering Colloquium for the duration of their coursework until graduation for 0 credit
• All full-time PhD students must act as teaching assistants for five semesters (regardless of support), and they must register for CME 698 - Practicum in Teaching in all five semesters for 0 credit
• All students must complete CME 599 - Research for at least a total of 16 credits

C. Preliminary Examination

• A preliminary examination must be taken during the student's fifth semester as a Ph.D. student once all of the above requirements are completed
• This oral examination is designed to assess the student's ability to apply their background in chemical engineering to conduct research in their chosen field of study
• Additionally, it evaluates the student's proficiency in delivering clear written and oral presentations of their research findings
• At least ten days prior to the examination, the student must submit a research proposal to the examiners
• The Preliminary examination committee must consist of a minimum of three (3) committee members, two (2) of whom must be core faculty members in the department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering

D. Advancement to Candidacy

• The preliminary examination committee approves the student upon completion of their written and oral presentation
• Upon successful completion, the department processes the student's Advancement to Candidacy, confirming their passing of the prelims
• Upon "Advancement to Candidacy" the student must fulfill a minimum of 18 credits (equivalent to two semesters) of CME 699 - Dissertation Research on Campus, to meet the 60 credits minimum requirement for earning a Ph.D. degree in Chemical and Molecular Engineering

E. Dissertation

• The most critical aspect of the Ph.D. degree is the successful completion of a dissertation
• This dissertation must entail an original scholarly investigation, making a significant contribution to the scientific literature
• Its quality must meet the publication standards of respected scholarly journals
• Furthermore, a minimum of two semesters should elapse between the preliminary exam and digital submission of the dissertation through Stony Brook University's ProQuest/UMI ETD administrator site

F. Approval and Defense of Dissertation

• The candidate shall defend the dissertation before an examining committee appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School upon recommendation of the student's thesis advisor
• The candidate must obtain approval of the dissertation from this committee to graduate
• The committee must consist of a minimum of four members:
  • A chairperson of the defense - a core faculty member in the department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering
  • The dissertation advisor(s) (at least one who is a faculty member in the department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering)
  • A member with no conflict of interest in relationship to the student (often, but not always, someone external to the program or university)
  • One additional member - either external to the department or a core faculty member in the department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering

G. Residency Requirement

• The student must complete two consecutive semesters of full-time graduate study
• Full-time study is 9 credits minimum per semester

H. Time Limit

• All requirements for the Ph.D. degree must be completed within seven (7) years after completing 24 credits of graduate courses in the department