Overview of Programs
The School of Materials offers three graduate degrees:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Materials Science and Engineering
- Master of Science (MS) in Materials Science and Engineering
- Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) in Materials Science and Engineering
Here we present highlights of each degree. Detailed descriptions of each may be found in the associated links above. The official listing of requirements may be found in the ASU graduate catalog.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The PhD program in the School of Materials is structured to reflect the rapidly evolving discipline of Materials Science. This field draws upon a fundamental base of knowledge, with underpinnings in Physics, Chemistry and Engineering, and extends that knowledge to address a broad range of materials-driven challenges, such as energy-efficiency, sustainability, functional nanostructures, electronic materials, bio-materials, polymers, etc. In this sense, Materials Science is intrinsically interdisciplinary in nature. Our curriculum reflects this nature, with a set of 4 required courses in core subjects: Structure and Properties of Materials; Advanced Thermodynamics; Kinetics and Phase Transformations and Physics of Materials.
Students will normally complete the core courses in their first year of study. Following that, they will take an oral qualifying exam. This exam is both an assessment tool and a learning tool: Students are given detailed instruction and assistance in how to contextualize and apply core concepts in an interactive oral setting. This life skill is considered critical for success in research. Students also receive training for making formal research presentations during the Seminar course, which is required for all students.
Following completion of the core courses and qualifying exam, students take an additional 6 courses from a set of electives that spans the departments of Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry and a variety of Engineering fields. Students choose an advisory committee made up of faculty from the School of Materials and several other departments across the campus or even in local industries. The current list of “graduate faculty” is available on the School of Materials faculty index.
Many of our students enter the PhD program with graduate credits from other institutions, including complete Master’s degrees, in some cases. Transfer credit may be awarded for up to 5 courses, and it is possible to waive any of the core courses, by petition. Such students are welcome, as they typically are ready to begin research work immediately. All students are encouraged to contact faculty by email to inquire about their research activities.
Virtually all students in the PhD program receive financial support with tuition remission, benefits and stipend, either as a teaching assistant (TA), a research assistant (RA) or on a variety of fellowships.
The majority of students will complete the requirements for the PhD (courses, exams, research and thesis) within 3 to 5 years from the time of entry. The PhD degree in Materials Science from Arizona State University is a highly marketable degree, with employment opportunities in many fields of science and engineering, and in locations that are local, national or global.
For more information, See the Summary of the PhD degree in Materials Science and Engineering offered by the School of Materials
Master’s Degrees (MS, MSE)
The School of Materials offers both thesis (MS) and non-thesis (MSE) Master’s degrees. Students pursuing these degrees are a vital part of the School of Materials and comprise approximately 25% of the graduate population. These students form a strong liaison between the School and local industrial companies who value their skills and training. These companies include Intel, Honeywell, Boeing, Motorola (Freescale) and many others. The academic program for the MS degree requires 2 core Materials courses plus seminar plus 6 elective courses, chosen to follow the student’s interests, which may span multiple academic departments.
The MSE program is specifically intended for part-time students who are already working in industry. The interaction of these students with faculty and students on campus provides a valuable networking resource that is mutually beneficial. The entire program can be completed on-line, via the Center for Professional Development, although students are encouraged to take campus-based courses and to interact with colleagues on campus as much as possible. The choice of coursework is more flexible than for the MS or PhD degrees, to allow a close coupling with the students’ (and employers’) interests. A list of available online courses is given here. Seminar may also be taken online, since the student presentations are recorded on Macromedia.
An integrated BS/MS option is also available and is designed to provide an accelrated path to MS degree for students enrolled in the undergraduate program in Materials at Arizona State University. In this option, students may apply undergraduate courses towards the Master’s Degree, making it feasible to complete the MS degree in two semesters following the BS degree. This is normally done with the thesis (MS) option, and is appropriate for students with research experience during their undergraduate studies.
For futher information, see the Summary of requirements for Masters degree programs in the School of Materials
