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Materials Science and Chemical Engineering
HomeGraduate StudiesMaterials Science Masters Degree Requirements

Requirements for the Materials Science Masters Program


Requirements are subject to change; for official requirements see the graduate bulletin.

In addition to the minimum requirements of the Graduate School, the requirements for the M.S. degree in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering can be satisfied by either one of the two following options:

M.S. Non-Thesis Option

A. Election

The election of this option must be made by the student upon admission to the program and is considered a terminal degree.

B. Coursework

  • A minimum of 30 graduate credits with a grade point average of 3.0 or better in all graduate courses taken is required to graduate. All credits must be from coursework.
  • The 30 credits must include the following three core courses: ESM 511 Thermodynamics of Solids; ESM 513 Strength of Materials; and ESM 521 Diffusion in Solids. 
  • Only six credits of ESM 696 Special Problems in Materials Science are allowed.
  • All courses taken outside the Department require permission from the Graduate Program Director.

 

M.S. Thesis Option

A. Election
The election of this option must be made by the student upon admission to the program and is normally considered part of the Ph.D. sequence. Students may not transfer to the Non-Thesis Option while registered for a Thesis Master’s or a Ph.D. degree.

B. Coursework

  • A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required to graduate; 24 credits must be from coursework and 6 credits from research. A grade point average of 3.0 or better in all graduate courses taken is required to graduate.
  • The 30 credits must include the following three core courses: ESM 511 Thermodynamics of Solids; ESM 513 Strength of Materials; and ESM 521 Diffusion in Solids. 
  • In addition, all students who are supported as Teaching Assistants must complete ESM 501 Teaching and Mentoring Techniques and ESM 698 Practicum in Teaching.
  • The 30 credits must include six credits of ESM 599 Research.
  • Only six credits of ESM 696 Special Problems in Materials Science are allowed.
  • All courses taken outside the Department require permission from the Graduate Program Director.

C. Thesis
For the student who elects to complete a thesis for the M.S. degree, the thesis must be approved by three faculty members, at least two of whom are members of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, including the research advisor.

D. Final Recommendation
Upon fulfillment of the above requirements, the Graduate Program Committee will recommend to the Dean of the Graduate School that the Master of Science degree be conferred or will stipulate further requirements that the student must fulfill.

E. Transfer to Other Options
Transfer to another degree option in the Department can be made only with the written permission of the Graduate Program Director.

Materials Science
Materials Science