Program Overview

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Introduction to the Ph.D. Program in Materials Science and Engineering

The Ph.D. Program in Materials Science and Engineering is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the field, including the structure, properties, and applications of various materials. The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct original research and make significant contributions to the field.

Degree Plan

The Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering requires students to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework, including core courses, elective courses, and research credits. The program also requires students to pass a qualifying exam, defend a dissertation proposal, and complete a dissertation.

Core Courses

• MSE 500: Survey of Materials Science and Engineering
• MSE 501: Materials Structure and Defects
• MSE 502: Thermodynamics of Materials
• MSE 503: Materials Characterization

Elective Courses

• MSE 505: Materials Chemistry
• MSE 507: Diffusion and Phase Transformations
• MSE 531: Engineering Nanomaterials
• MSE 532: Engineering Ceramics
• MSE 533: Materials Science of Thin Films
• MSE 535: Biomaterials
• MSE 540: Advanced Semiconductor Materials
• MSE 541: Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Properties of Materials
• MSE 549: Introduction to Atomistic Simulations
• MSE 550: Polymer Science and Engineering
• MSE 551: Electrochemical Engineering
• MSE 552: Advanced Catalysis for Environmental Applications
• MSE 553: Artificial Intelligence for Materials Synthesis and Discovery
• MSE 554: Computational Thermodynamics
• MSE 555: Materials for Hydrogen Production and Storage
• MSE 590: Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering I
• MSE 591: Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering II

Course Descriptions

MSE 501: Materials Structure and Defects

This course covers the different levels of structure in materials, including bonding, crystal structures, and defects. Students will learn to correlate structure and defects with the physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of engineering materials.

MSE 502: Thermodynamics of Materials

This course introduces students to classical and irreversible thermodynamics, phase equilibria, and the thermodynamics of chemical reactions. Students will learn to apply thermodynamic principles to solve problems in materials science.

MSE 503: Materials Characterization

This course covers the fundamentals, instrumentation, and applications of various characterization techniques used to investigate material structure, surface topography, chemistry, and phase constitution.

MSE 505: Materials Chemistry

This course provides a molecular understanding of materials properties, including introductory quantum chemistry, basic reaction classes, and surface chemistry.

MSE 507: Diffusion and Phase Transformations

This course covers the atomistic theories of diffusion in metals, alloys, and non-metals, as well as the kinetics and thermodynamics of phase transformations.

MSE 531: Engineering Nanomaterials

This course introduces students to the classification, synthesis, and processing of nanomaterials, as well as their mechanical and physical properties.

MSE 532: Engineering Ceramics

This course covers the bonding, structure, processing, properties, and applications of ceramics.

MSE 533: Materials Science of Thin Films

This course covers the fundamental and applied aspects of thin films, including their structure, defects, thermodynamics, reactivity, and mechanical properties.

MSE 535: Biomaterials

This course introduces students to biomaterials for medical applications, including their properties, functional uses, and tissue response mechanisms.

MSE 540: Advanced Semiconductor Materials

This course provides a fundamental understanding of semiconductor materials and manufacturing technologies, including their electrical, optical, magnetic, and other physical and chemical properties.

MSE 541: Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Properties of Materials

This course covers the free electron theory, review of quantum mechanics, Fermi-Dirac statistics, and the electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of materials.

MSE 549: Introduction to Atomistic Simulations

This course introduces students to classical and quantum mechanics techniques for atomistic simulations, including essentials of statistical thermodynamics and quantum mechanics concepts.

MSE 550: Polymer Science and Engineering

This course provides an introduction to the chemistry, structure, and formation of polymers, including their physical and mechanical properties and engineering applications.

MSE 551: Electrochemical Engineering

This course covers the fundamentals of electrochemical cells, including thermodynamics, kinetics, species, and mass and heat transport, as well as electroanalytical techniques and electrochemical technologies.

MSE 552: Advanced Catalysis for Environmental Applications

This course covers the fundamentals of catalysis, including catalytic principles and mechanisms, types of catalysts, and catalyst characterization techniques, with a focus on environmental applications.

MSE 553: Artificial Intelligence for Materials Synthesis and Discovery

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of AI and ML, including data preprocessing, feature engineering, and machine learning models, with applications in materials science.

MSE 554: Computational Thermodynamics

This course covers the formulation, optimization, and application of thermodynamic and kinetic models, including the structure and content of thermodynamic and kinetic databases.

MSE 555: Materials for Hydrogen Production and Storage

This course introduces students to hydrogen energy, hydrogen storage methods, material selection and properties, and advanced materials for hydrogen transportation.

MSE 590: Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering I

This course examines advanced and emerging topics in materials science and engineering, including modern computational tools, nanomaterials, and materials for energy and sustainability.

MSE 591: Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering II

This course examines advanced and emerging topics in materials science and engineering, including modern computational tools, membrane materials, and materials for energy and sustainability.

Research Areas

The Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering offers research opportunities in a wide range of areas, including:

• Nanomaterials and nanotechnology
• Biomaterials and biotechnology
• Energy storage and conversion
• Environmental sustainability
• Advanced manufacturing and processing

Requirements

To be admitted to the Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering, students must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a master's degree in materials science and engineering or a related field
• Have a strong academic record, with a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Submit official transcripts and test scores (e.g., GRE)
• Provide letters of recommendation from academic or professional references
• Submit a personal statement or research proposal

Financial Assistance

The Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering offers various forms of financial assistance, including:

• Teaching assistantships
• Research assistantships
• Fellowships
• Scholarships

Learning Platform

The Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering uses a variety of learning platforms, including:

• Lectures and seminars
• Laboratory experiments and simulations
• Research projects and collaborations
• Online courses and resources

Academics

The Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering is part of the university's academic offerings, which include:

• BS Degree in Materials Science and Engineering
• CX Program in Corrosion and Materials Degradation
• MS Degree in Materials Science and Engineering
• MX Degree in Materials Science and Engineering
• Financial Assistance
• Learning Platform

News and Events

The university's news and events section provides updates on the latest research, achievements, and activities in the Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering, including:

• News
• Events
• Spotlight
• Weekly Highlights

People

The Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering is supported by a team of faculty, staff, and graduate students, including:

• Faculty
• Staff
• Graduate Students
• Founding Chairman

Research

The Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering is committed to advancing knowledge and innovation in the field, with research areas including:

• Research Areas
• Publications
• Research Highlights
• Lab Facilities

About Us

The university's about us section provides an overview of the institution's history, mission, and values, including:

• MSE at a glance
• Mission Statements
• Our Chairman