| CSM Home |
|
Materials Science
Program Description
|
Master of Science (Materials Science Thesis)
The interdisciplinary materials science program is is a colaboration of the Departments of Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Geochemistry, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Physics, Division of Engineering, Environmental Science and Engineering, and Mining Engineering. The range of disciplines provides a Materials Science degree within one of the twelve focus areas given below.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
The most up-to-date information about the curriculum, courses, and requirements can be found in the academic year Graduate Bulletin. Pages specific to the Materials Science program start on page 130. Also see the Materials Science Student Guidelines. This document (which requires Acrobat Reader) will goes into more detail about the requirements, core courses, focus areas, and steps to obtaining a Masters or Doctors degree. This document includes the Focus Flow Charts. See below.
FOCUS AREAS (click for course flowsheet):
MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE WITH THESIS
l
Requirements for obtaining a Master of Science Degree is the ability to perform research work as well as understand and apply the advanced concepts presented in graduate-level courses in your area of specialization. A Master of Science thesis, which is a report of original scientific research or development, is required for the completion of your degree. You will conduct your research project with the guidance of your advisor but must demonstrate independent thinking.
Although details of department programs differ, all degree programs follow the CSM policy on degree requirements. Consult the Graduate Student Handbook for overall policies and procedures.
The Program
The Master of Science degree requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of acceptable course work and research credit including:
18 hours of Materials Science courses (must have completed the six core courses)
6 to 12 hours of thesis research credits depending on focus area requirements
Submit a thesis and pass the Defense of Thesis examination before the Thesis Committee.
The Master of Science Core Curriculum
The required six Materials Science core courses are:
MLGN500 - Processing, Microstructure, and Properties of Materials
MLGN512/MTGN412 - Ceramic Engineering
MLGN531/CHEN416 - Intro to Polymer Engineering (MLGN530/CHGN 430 also counted)
MLGN501/CHGN580 - Structure of Materials
MLGN504/MTGN555 - Solid State Thermodynamics
or CHEN509 - Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
MLGN511 - Kinetic Concerns in Materials Processing
Students who have taken the equivalent of any of the core courses listed above, and have not used the courses to fulfill requirements towards their B.S. degree, may petition the Materials Science Graduate Committee for transfer credit.
Formal Steps for a Master of Science Degree in Order of Completion:
Application for Admission to Candidacy
Prior to your thesis defense, you must apply for Admission to Candidacy (See Online Forms, p. 52), which requires concurring signatures of your thesis committee members, the Program Lead Scientist and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. The Admission to Candidacy form must be submitted within the first two calendar years after enrolling as a regular degree student. After the advisor and the committee approve the application, the student becomes a candidate for the degree.
Completion of Course Work and Thesis
Each Materials Science candidate will be required to select a focus area from the twelve interest areas listed below:
(1) Advanced Polymeric Materials - Dr. John Dorgan
(2) Ceramics - TBD
(3) Composites - Dr. Ivar Reimanis
(4) Electronic Materials - Dr. David Wood
(5) Joining Science - Dr. Stephen Liu
(6) Mechanics of Materials - Dr. Graham Mustoe
(7) Computational Materials Science - Dr. Moneesh Upmanyu
(8) Surface & Interfaces / Films & Coatings - Dr. Scott Cowley
(9) Bio Materials - Dr. John Moore
(10) Nuclear Materials - Dr. David Olson
(11) Enviro-Material Science - Dr. Ron Cohen
(12) Mining-Materials Science - Dr. Hugh MillerThe focus areas require additional coursework after or concurrent with the core courses. See the focus area flow charts.
The Graduate Affairs Committee will consider other focus areas, to allow for the Materials Science Program to be as individual a learning experience as possible. Write and present a letter of request to the Graduate Committee with a specific course plan.
You must complete a minimum of 18 hours of approved graduate course work. Up to nine hours of 400-level courses may be counted towards graduation. Up to nine hours of course work with a grade of "B" or better may be transferred from another recognized institution upon the approval of the Graduate Affairs Committee and the Graduate Dean. A total of 30 hours is needed for the Master of Science degree.
Thesis Topic, Format, Defense, Post Paperwork, and Approval
Select a thesis topic with your advisor's guidance. Submit a written research proposal to the committee at least one semester before the thesis defense. After approval, obtain a copy of the Thesis Writer's Guide from the Graduate School. Look at Appendix E - Thesis Flowchart/Checklist. For a complete guide to the thesis procedure and deadlines, be sure to read the Graduate Student Handbook given to you at the New Grad Student Orientation Meeting. If you did not get a handbook, see Connie in HH 201.
The defense of your thesis consists of an oral presentation and defense to your thesis committee (at least three members) and other interested faculty members. Give a copy of your thesis, in defensible form and approved by your advisor, to each member of your committee two weeks prior to your defense. The delivery of the thesis to committee members in advance of the defense is not only common courtesy, but is deemed essential for a careful review which will lead to the best possible thesis. Obtain each committee members' written consent on the Thesis Defense Request form (See Online Forms under Helpful Information.). Reserve the Williams Conference Room (HH 300) in the date book on the Office Manager's desk, alert Connie Sanford, Graduate Specialists, send her the title and date of the defense. Prepare and post at least 5 posters around Hill Hall. According to CSM Policy, thesis defenses are open to the public. Take a Statement of Work Completion Form with you to the defense to give to your Committee Head. The Committee Head should fill it out with the results of your defense. The completed form with all the signatures should go to the Grad School, with a copy for your files in the main office.
After a successful thesis defense, the student finishes making any final thesis changes. The student submits a copy of the thesis to the Graduate School for final format approval.
Deadlines and Checkout
Students should be aware of both department and Graduate School deadlines in order to schedule the defense in plenty of time to complete the process and graduate in any given semester. The Graduate School publishes a list of deadlines for graduation each semester in the Grad Student Handbook. Students must complete all graduate degree requirements on or before the last day of registration of a semester to avoid have to register for another statement.
All students expecting to graduate must submit a graduation application to the Office of Graduate Studies (deadline is early in the semester), and all graduating students must officially check out by completing and turning in a checkout card (signed by C. Sanford, HH201) and paying a graduation fee. Note: your checkout card will not be signed until any borrowed books (including thesis) and borrowed lab or other materials have been returned. You need to get the initials of your advisor.
Typical Timetable
1st Semester: Begin course work; select research topic; appoint thesis committee: begin research.
2nd Semester: Present course work to committee; continue course work and research.
2nd Year: Complete course work and thesis; defend thesis.
The typical time to completion is 1 1/2 to 2 years.CONVERSION OF MASTER PROGRAM TO A DOCTOR OF PILOSOPHY DEGREE PROGRAM
A student admitted to the M.S program who wishes to transfer to a PhD program must file a letter of application with the Materials Science Graduate
Affairs Committee. Application requirements are:
A letter of application with advisor endorsement
Official CSM transcripts
GRE scores (scores from previous application is acceptable)
Statement of goals
Proof of support. Proof of support may be in the form of a letter from your advisor or home department head.
Once you receive formal acceptance into the PhD program, you are expected to complete all the requirements normally expected of any PhD candidate.Another path to the PhD program (without an MS degree) is to indicate that you wish to pursue the PhD on your initial graduate application. You will be dual listed as a MS (either thesis or non-thesis)/PhD. Once you satisfactory complete your MS, you will be a full PhD candidate and the MS will be dropped. Obtaining your MS can be coordinated with your PhD thesis and research in order to make it a seamless transition from one degree effort to the next.
MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAM - NON-THESIS
Master of Science degree program without thesis has been designed for engineers or scientists who are working in industry. The thesis requirement is replaced with the requirement that non-thesis students complete a Case Study. The industrial student, who most likely has technical laboratory or manufacturers experience, may find this program more suited to their employment responsibilities.
Program
The non-thesis Master of Science degree requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of acceptable course work and research credit including:
18 hours of Materials Sciences Core courses plus other courses as required by the specialty area. The specialty materials-related courses can be taken in preparation for the PhD qualifying process examination (usually taken in the second year of graduate school. Student must take at least 30 hours of coursework. Sign up for six hours of case study credits. (Sign up for MLGN 599, Case Study Materials Science using a paper form at the Registrar's Office) The student must successfully prepare and defend a case study report on a topic that is most likely supporting materials for the student's PhD thesis. The case study will require the student to perform an analysis of the way processing-structure-property-performance relationships affect materials development and how it will influence the future of materials design. A panel of three faculty members will grade the report. This report will satisfy the 6-credit hour case study requirement listed in the course schedule as MLGN 591.
A faculty member selected by the mentor of the Focus Area will advise students in the non-thesis option. Non-thesis students will be strongly encouraged to gain industrial or laboratory experience during the course of their studies through co-ops or other arrangements. Students must indicate their intent to pursue a non-thesis Master of Science at their initial enrollment in the Materials Science program. Permission to change tracks from thesis to non-thesis, or vice-versa, will be granted under some circumstances. It must be approved by your advisor and requested from the Graduate Affairs Committee.
The diploma will distinguish the non-thesis degree from the regular MS in Materials Science by using the wording "MS Materials Science (Non-Thesis)." Normally, non-thesis Master students are self or company supported.
THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE PROGRAM
The Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded to those students who have demonstrated unusual competence in their field. The recipient must produce an original contribution to the science and/or engineering of the chosen research field. You must display a deep understanding of that field and demonstrate the ability to apply this knowledge effectively toward the solution of new problems.
Doctoral study is a period of intensive study and research under the direction of the advisor and with the guidance of the Doctoral Committee appointed by the Graduate Dean. A series of formal steps have been established which will guide you and your advisor in assessing your progress. The steps are given below in order of completion.
- The Doctor of Philosophy degree requires a minimum of 72 hours of course and research credit including:
The fulfillment of the Materials Science core course requirements plus additional courses as required by the focus area and a minimum of 30 hours of research credit.
-A written and/or oral qualifying process examination in the specialty area (depending upon focus area requirements).
-Prepare and submit a thesis and pass a Defense of Thesis examination before the Thesis Committee.
The prerequisite for acceptance into the Materials Science PhD Program is completion of a science or engineering Master degree (with or without thesis) and completion of the Materials Science Core courses with a grade of B or better (or evidence that the course content of these courses had been taken in previous courses) Transfer courses must be equivalent to the degree programs offered at CSM.. A candidate with a Master degree in Materials Science or related field from another institution can transfer into the program 30 course credit hours. You are expected to complete the Master of Science core courses (see page 13) and take the qualifying process examination required of PhD students in the time frame given.
| Back to Top |