Designed to provide students advanced specialized training intended to prepare them to transition to technical positions in industry or doctoral graduate programs in science or engineering. Students deepen their understanding by completing advanced coursework in foundational MSEN topics, such as thermodynamics, kinetics, solid-state physics, and mechanical behavior of materials. Furthermore, students broaden their exposure to new topics through attendance at seminars and through coursework in specialized areas of MSEN. Moreover, the M.S. degree allows students to select either a thesis (research-based)- or non-thesis (course-based) tracks for degree completion. Students who pursue the thesis option will work with a faculty supervisor to develop a written research proposal, complete an oral defense and presentation.
| Curriculum Element | Courses |
|---|---|
| MSEN 601 | Fundamental Materials Science and Engineering |
| MSEN 602 | Physics of Materials |
| MSEN 603 | Fundamentals of Soft and Biomaterials |
| MSEN 640 | Thermodynamics |
| Designated Electives | 2 courses or 6 credit hours from the designated electives list. |
| Mathematics | One mathematics course selected from MATH 601-604, STAT 601, STAT 630, PHYS 615 & 616 (select one) |
| Seminar | MSEN 681 (Maximum 2 hrs) |
| MSEN 691 | 5-8 credits of research |
| Total Semester Credit Hours Required for Degree - 30 hours | |
Notes:
- Background Course Requirements are eligible to be waived at the discretion of the instructor and graduate program director; if the student has taken a relevant (MSEN) lower degree (Bachelor's/Master's) or by exam.
- Waiver Process: students should submit request directly to the course instructor cc’ing the graduate advisor so that approval/denial can be documented in the students Departmental Record. Student should submit supporting evidence such as transcript, course description, and syllabi for review.
- Even if students are waived from background courses they must still have a total 30 credits to earn their degree.
- Combination of following courses may not exceed 12 hours: MSEN 691 (Research), MSEN 685 (Directed Studies), and MSEN 684 (internship).
- A maximum of 8 credit hours of MSEN 691 (Research) may be used toward the thesis option Master of Science degree.
- Remaining credit hours may be taken from other courses as per graduate catalog.
- The maximum number considered for transfer credit is twelve (12) hours.
- Nine (9) hours must be completed in residence -- one long semester or a full summer session.
- A minimum (5) hours of MSEN 691 credits are required.
- Faculty advisor recommends courses based on student’s completed educational work, research and professional interests.
Committee Total 3: Chair must be MSEN core faculty, joint faculty, or affiliated faculty. There must be one member who is core or joint faculty, and one member must be from outside of MSEN who may be an affiliated faculty.