Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Graduate Program

The most up-to-date program description, program requirements, fields of research, course descriptions, and prerequisites can be found in the Graduate Bulletin. The Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering starts on page 144.

Degrees Offered:

Master of Engineering (Metallurgical and Materials Engineering)
Master of Science (Metallurgical and Materials Engineering)
Doctor of Philosophy (Metallurgical and Materials Engineering)

Program Description:

The program of study for the Master or Doctor of Philosophy degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering is selected by the student with advice from his/her advisor and with approval of the Thesis Committee. There are three Areas of Specialization: Physical and Mechanical Metallurgy; Physico-chemical Processing Materials; and Ceramic Engineering.

Program Requirements:

Master of Engineering
The student can choose from two tracks: (1) the Undergraduate/Graduate Program which requires a minimum of 30 total semester hours of acceptable undergraduate and graduate coursework and a case independent study component not exceeding 6 hours, and submittal and presentation of a report. See the Graduate Bulletin for more details.

The graduate non-thesis track requires a minimum of 30 total semester hours of acceptable graduate course work, a case study or engineering development (not exceeding 6 semester hours) and submittal and presentation before a graduate committee and acceptance by the committee.

Master of Science
The degree requires a minimum of 24 semester hours of acceptable coursework, 6 semester hours of research credit, and submittal and successful oral defense of a thesis which presents the results of original scientific research or development.

Doctor of Philosophy
This degree requires a minimum of 42 semester hours of acceptable coursework which may include course credits (if approved by the Thesis Committee) taken for the Master's degree (must have been in the Metallurgical and Materials Engineering or similar field, 30 semester hours of research credit, and a minimum of 9 to 12 semesters hours of acceptable course work in a minor field of study. The requirements also include a passing grade on a written and oral examination and submittal and successful defense of a thesis which presents the results of original scientific research or development. See the Graduate Bulletin for more details.

Prerequisites:

The entering graduate student must have completed an undergraduate program equivalent to that required for the B.S. Degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field. A background in science fundamentals and engineering principles is essential to being accepted and doing well in the graduate program. A student having the background, but not a particular prerequisite will be allowed to take these course deficiencies at the beginning of their program of study.

Fields of Research:

* Synthesis, processing, and characterization of photovoltaic materials
* Optical phenomena of interfaces and composites
* High-Tc superconductors
* Dielectrics and piezoelectrics
* Glasses and crystallizable glasses for electronics
* Ferroelectrics and ferroelectric thin films
* Porous ceramics and ceramic fibers
* Combustion synthesis of advanced materials
* Welding and joining of metals and dissimilar materials (including ceramics and composites)
* Laser Processing of Materials
* Physical metallurgy
* Mechanical metallurgy
* Processing microstructure and properties of advanced steels
* Oxidation and corrosion of metals and ceramics
* Interfacial phenomena
* Surface characterization of materials
* Composite materials
* Preparation of ceramic powders
* Pyro-, hydro-, and electro-metallurgy
* Processing of industrial wastes
* Plasma synthesis and processing
* Computer simulation techniques for design of new high performance materials
* Thinfilm/coating, processing, and characterization
* Environmentally benign materials processes
* Semiconductor materials
* Powder metallurgy
* Aerospace structural materials
* Failure analysis and fracture mechanics of materials
* Forming of metals and other materials
* Fatigue of materials

Steps to Defending Your Thesis:

There are several steps and forms that must be completed in order before you defend. At the end of your defense, there is more paperwork to be completed and turned in to the Graduate Coordinator. Click on Thesis Defense Steps to see a complete listing of the steps and paperwork.