School of Engineering—Department of Materials Science and Engineering
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering offers broad-based educational and research programs in materials science, and engineering leading to the degrees of Master of Science in materials science and engineering and Doctor of Philosophy. These programs are oriented toward the application of fundamental knowledge of materials science and engineering to the solution of real-world materials problems that impede technological progress. They are designed to educate engineers, providing them with the tools to become successful in research, development, production, management, and teaching. The department also offered a joint degree program with the Katz Graduate School of Business.
Basic courses on the structure, properties, and energetics of materials are taken in common and through advanced and specialty courses. The student, working with faculty advisors, tailors the program to suit individual interests and demands of the student's chosen field of specialization.
The range of research programs in the department reflects the broad spectrum of interest of the faculty. However, interest in the structure and properties of materials and their relationship to materials processing is a common thread that ties together many of the programs. Research is aimed at building an understanding of basic phenomena that will lead to solutions of materials problems at the forefront of technological and social progress.
Current research programs are centered in several areas of ceramics, metals, and polymers, including corrosion and oxidation; high-temperature materials; magnetic materials; materials for energy applications; metal-forming processes; phase transformations in metals and ceramics; intermetallic phases; plastic deformation of metals; surfaces and interfaces; thermomechanical processing of steels; ceramic processing; sintering science; high-temperature superconductivity; electronic properties of ceramics; ferroelectrics and magnetorheological fluids; nanostructured materials; catalytic materials; thin film science and technology; and laser processing of materials.
Contact Information
- Department Chair: John A. Barnard
- Main Office: 848 Benedum Hall
- 412-624-9720
- Fax: 412-624-8069
- E-mail: barnard@engr.pitt.edu
- www.engr.pitt.edu/materials/index.html
Students wishing for more information or application forms for admission or financial aid may write to the graduate coordinator, Jorg Wiezorek, or individual faculty members of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at msegrad@engr.pitt.edu or visit www.engr.pitt.edu/materials/programs/apply.html.
The Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering degree (MSMSE) may be pursued as either a Professional MS Track program (for practicing engineers) or a Research MS Track program. Students can tailor their individual MS program to emphasize different aspects of materials science and engineering (e.g., ceramics, metallurgy, etc.). Requirements for the Professional Master of Science Track
The Professional MS Track is primarily oriented toward full-time students seeking a career in industry, and part-time students currently working in industry. The Professional Track consists of 30 credits (10 courses). There are no thesis or comprehensive exam requirements for this degree. At least 24 course credits must be obtained from MSE 2000 and 3000, not including Graduate Seminar (MSE 3023 and 3024), MS Research (MSE 2997), and MS Thesis (MSE 2999). Students with non-MSE backgrounds are strongly encouraged to take introductory courses (MSE 2067, MSE 2068, or appropriate undergraduate courses). These courses will not, however, count toward the professional MS degree requirements. The remaining 6 credits of coursework may consist of MSE or non-MSE technical courses that are approved by the student’s advisor. Requirements for the Research Master of Science Track
The Research Track is primarily for full-time students who wish to pursue the PhD or are strongly oriented toward a research career. The Research Track requires a minimum of 24 course credits derived from 2000- and 3000-level MSE courses. Credits associated with Graduate Seminar (MSE 3023 and 3024), MS Research (MSE 2997), and MS Thesis (MSE 2999) do not count as course credits. For students with non-MSE backgrounds, MSE 2067 and/or MSE 2068 or 6 credits of undergraduate courses may be counted toward the required 24 credits. The course sequence must be approved by the student’s advisor. In addition to the coursework requirements, a minimum of 6 credits of MS Thesis (MSE 2999) is required. MS Thesis
An MS student should initiate research work as early as possible. Once thesis work has begun the student must register for thesis credits in each succeeding term until successful completion of the thesis and a final oral defense. The purpose of the MS thesis oral defense is to evaluate the MS thesis and the student’s command of the research subject. The thesis examining committee consists of at least three members of the MSE faculty who are recommended by the student’s advisor and approved by the department chair.
Part-time students may pursue the research MS degree. However, they must recognize that, while the thesis topic may be related to the broad technical area of the student’s employment, results of work-related routine technical activities, analysis, surveys, or studies conducted for the employer are not acceptable for inclusion in the MS thesis. Furthermore, part-time students should become aware of the University Intellectual Property Ownership Policy before undertaking a thesis.
The Doctor of Philosophy Program in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering is a research degree leading largely to careers in teaching and research in academia and in industry. This program is designed for excellent students. As the studies progress, students develop an understanding at the highest level in their area of specialization that must lead to an original contribution to the field in the PhD dissertation. Requirements for the PhD Degree
A minimum of 72 credits beyond the BS is required for the PhD. The students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3 in this course work. The course work is made up of two major parts: a four-course materials core taken by all students and a group of four advanced courses tailored for the student’s research and a set of additional courses. These courses must be taken within the first two years of the program.
The core courses and most graduate courses are offered on a two-year rotation. Therefore, they must be taken in the order offered. If a student’s background is insufficient for a graduate course, the student must prepare by attending an appropriate undergraduate course or through independent studies. Since the PhD assumes a quantitative understanding, the mathematics courses should be taken in the first year of the PhD program, if possible.
Core Courses
- MSE 2011: Thermodynamics of Materials/Energetics
- MSE 2003: Structure of Materials
- MSE 2013: Kinetics in Materials Science
- MSE 2030: Mechanical Behavior of Materials
Advanced Courses
- A group of four courses selected by the student and the student's advisor as the best advanced preparation for research in the area of the dissertation. Two of these courses may be taken outside the department.
Mathematics Courses
- Two mathematics courses (6 credits) beyond the mathematics level of the MSE BS.
Additional Requirements
- Six additional credits, as a broadening experience, to complement the student’s PhD specialization and contribute significantly to the student's career preparation. The two courses should work as a group but they do not need to be taken in the same department.
- At least 6 credits of MSE 3997 (Research, PhD)
- At least 12 credits of MSE 3999 (PhD Dissertation)
- Passing the preliminary examination, which is based on a broad body of knowledge defined for each option
- Passing the comprehensive examination in the area of specialization (thesis area)
- Completion and successful defense of a PhD dissertation
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