The Department of Materials Science and Engineering offers graduate programs leading to the M.S. (thesis and non-thesis) and Ph.D. degrees. Depending on a student’s background, the M.S. degree may be required before a Ph.D. is pursued.
Both the thesis M.S. and the Ph.D. programs consist of a mix of course work and research, leading eventually to a thesis or dissertation. The course work provides a firm foundation in the physics and chemistry of materials, and their use in electronic, optical, and mechanical applications. It focuses particular attention on the relationships among the molecular architecture, processing, microstructure, and properties of materials. More than 49 courses at all levels are offered. For the Ph.D. degree, a minor program of study in a complementary field of the student’s choice is also required.
Student research is pursued in conjunction with a faculty thesis advisor, and can be carried out in any of the fields of active research in the Department. These fields are described in the section on faculty research.
This web site has been prepared in order to help explain the requirements for graduate degrees and to give the graduate students in the Department a procedure to follow in pursuing their advanced degrees in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Arizona. Graduate students in the Department are responsible for filing all of the necessary required forms with the Graduate College. Each student is responsible for meeting all of the degree requirements in the Department and in the Graduate College. Thus, careful study of the Graduate Catalog and this web site are recommended.
Applicants with undergraduate backgrounds in related science disciplines such as chemistry, geology, physics, or other related engineering fields may be admitted to the Master of Science degree program. Graduate students entering this program from other disciplines should have similar mathematics, chemistry (except analytical chemistry), and physics backgrounds to that which is required in the undergraduate curriculum in Materials Science and Engineering. Those students who are deficient in any of these courses should take them after admission to the Master of Science degree program.
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