Materials Science and Engineering PhD

Major: Materials Science and Engineering
Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 90.0 
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 14.1801
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 17-2131

About the Program

The PhD program in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) aims to provide an education which encompasses both the breadth and depth of the most recent knowledge base in the materials science and engineering field in a format suitable for individuals seeking careers in academia and/or industry.

In addition, the program provides students with in-depth research training through their dissertation project.

The graduate student body reflects a broad spectrum of undergraduate backgrounds. Because of the expansion into interdisciplinary areas, qualified physical and biological sciences graduates, and graduates from other engineering disciplines may also join the program. Students without a degree in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) are required to take MATE 503  Introduction to Materials Engineering.

Career Opportunities

PhD program graduates go on to careers in engineering firms, consulting firms, law firms, private industry, business, research laboratories, academia, and national laboratories. Materials scientists and engineers find employment in such organizations as Hewlett-Packard, Intel, 3M, Global Foundries, Chemours, Lockheed-Martin, Johnson and Johnson, Merck, AstraZeneca, Arkema, W. L. Gore, Army Research Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Air Products, Micron, and Corning.

Additional Information

For more information visit the Materials Science and Engineering PhD program and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering webpage.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the graduate requirements for admission to Drexel University. The graduate student body reflects a broad spectrum of undergraduate backgrounds. Because of the expansion into interdisciplinary areas, qualified non-MSE engineering, physical, and biological science graduates may also join the program.

For specific information on how to apply to this program, visit Drexel University's Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Admissions webpage.

Degree Requirements

Curriculum

A student must have at least the required 90.0 quarter credits for the PhD degree. An MS degree is not a prerequisite for the PhD degree, but can count for 45.0 quarter credits if the courses are approved by the graduate advisor. For students without an MS degree, but with previous graduate coursework, they may transfer no more than 15.0 credits (equivalent to 12.0 semester credits) from approved institutions provided they follow the rules and regulations described in the Materials Requirements of Graduate Degrees. 

 The required 90.0 credits for a PhD degree are tabulated below:

• Required core courses: 6.0 credits
• Additional required courses: 7.0 credits (MATE 504 &  MATE 536 [1.0 credit for first 6 terms])
• Selected core courses: 12.0 credits
• Optional courses: 9.0 credits
• Research or additional option courses: 47.0 credits
• Dissertation: 9.0 credits (MATE 998)
  Total: 90.0 credits

Program Requirements

 

Students must successfully pass degree-required exams including final dissertation defense and submission of the final dissertation.

*

PhD students must achieve a minimum "B-" grade in each of the required core courses. Waiver of any of the six (6) core courses must be approved by the MSE Department graduate advisor and the student's thesis advisor in advance.

**

 MATE 536 is a 1.0 credit course that must be repeated 6 times. 

An introductory course, MATE 503, is required for students without an undergraduate materials science and engineering degree.

Additional courses are encouraged for students entering the department with an MS degree. Students choose a doctoral thesis topic after consultation with the faculty.  Students are required to consider topics early in the program. An oral thesis presentation and defense are scheduled at the completion of the thesis work.

In addition to the graduate seminar, which is required of all graduate students, doctoral program students must pass an oral candidacy examination and a thesis proposal defense. The exam is designed to improve and assess the communication skills and the analytical abilities of the student. The following procedures should be followed to complete the PhD.

Candidacy Exam Requirement

All MSE PhD students are required to take the PhD Candidacy Examinations administered by the MSE Department.

Additional Information

For more information, visit the Department of Materials Science and Engineering webpage.

Sample Plan of Study

 

At least 90.0 credits are required for the PhD degree, which is based on the completion of a dissertation. Typical PhD students complete between 144.0-216.0 credits in the course of their PhD studies.

Program Level Outcomes

• Materials Science and Engineering program graduates possess the core technical competencies in their field necessary to successfully interface with other engineering disciplines in the workplace.
• Materials Science and Engineering program graduates are leaders in their chosen fields.
• Materials Science and Engineering program graduates are engaged in lifelong learning.
• Materials Science and Engineering program graduates possess written and verbal communication skills appropriate for professional materials engineers and/or scientists. 

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty

Emeritus Faculty