Graduate Degree in Materials Science

Aims and Scope of the Graduate Program

The graduate program is designed to give students an understanding of general phenomena in synthesis–structure–property relationships in all materials, plus a detailed understanding of phenomena for at least one particular class of materials. After completing the Special Regulations/Ph.D. program, students have pursued careers in teaching and research at colleges and universities, in research for government and industry, in the operation and control of manufacturing processes, and in management and development positions in the materials industry. Students may enter the graduate program in materials science with undergraduate preparation in physics, chemistry, engineering, or materials science.

Students interested in terminating their graduate study at the master's level are not normally admitted. Students in the Ph.D. program are required to complete a set of core courses, pass an oral candidacy examination, complete a thesis describing original research in materials science or a related field, and publicly defend their thesis work.

Preparation for the Graduate Program

Students who have not specialized in materials science as undergraduates, as well as those who have, may be admitted for graduate study. As preparation for advanced study and research, entering graduate students are expected to have a thorough background in undergraduate mathematics, physics, and engineering. An outstanding four-year undergraduate program in mathematics and sciences may also provide a suitable background. The qualifications of each applicant will be considered individually, and, after being enrolled, the student will arrange his or her course of study and research in consultation with members of the faculty and the Materials Science option representative.

Master's Degree Description and Requirements

The degree of Master of Science in Materials Science is only awarded to students who do not already have an M.S. degree in Materials Science. The degree will be awarded upon request by students who have fulfilled the requirements. Only in exceptional cases is there admission to the M.S. program as the final degree objective.

Each student is assigned to a member of the faculty who will serve as the student's adviser. The adviser and option representative for materials science will approve the student's course of study. Study for the degree of Master of Science in materials science will ordinarily require at least three terms of courses. The courses shall be chosen from the list of core courses below, although 27 units of research (MS 200 or equivalent) may be substituted for 27 units of lecture or laboratory courses. Completion of 111 units of these courses within two years with no grade less than a C constitutes the academic requirements for the M.S. degree.

Graduate Coursework

1. Materials Science Core – 27 units
   • MS 131, MS 132, MS 133

1. Thermodynamics – 27 units
   • APh/MS 105abc or (ChE/Ch 164, ChE/Ch 165 + APh/MS 105c) or (Ae/ME 118 + APh/MS 105bc)

1. General Electives – 36 units
   Students are required to take at least 9 units on A) Specific Materials and at least 9 units on B) Fundamentals of Materials Behavior.
   A. Specific Materials
   • Choose from: APh 114abc, Ch 120, Ch 121ab, Ch/ChE 147, ChE/Ch 148, Ge 114ab, ME/MS/Ae/AM 224, MS/APh 162
   • B. Fundamentals of Materials Behavior
   • Choose from: Ae/Ge/ME 160ab, Ae/AM/MS/ME 213, Ch 117, Ch 125ab, GE 214, ME/MS/AM 221, MS/ME/MedE 116, MS 121, MS/APh 122, MS 125, MS/APh 141, MS 142, MS/ME 161, MS/ME 166, MS/APh 171, MS/APh 256, Ph 125ab

1. Mathematics – 18 units
   • Choose from: ACM/IDS 104, ACM 100ab, ACM/IDS 101ab, ACM/EE 106ab, CMS/ACM/IDS 107, MS/APh 141, Ph 129ab

1. Materials Research Lecture Seminar Series – 3 units
   • MS 110abc

Suggested Course Schedule by Track

Core Classes for all tracks:

Thermodynamics 105a and 105b may be satisfied by equivalent courses in Physics or Chemical Engineering Mathematics may be satisfied by other courses pertinent to research interests.

Additional Coursework by Track

Track 1 – Physical Materials Science

Track 2 - Mechanical Materials Science

Track 3 – Soft Materials Science

Track 4 – Oxide Materials Science

Description of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

As described in more detail below, the doctoral program in Materials Science consists of taking a series of preparatory classes, followed by an oral candidacy exam, a written thesis, and a final oral thesis defense. The goals of this program are to develop competence in a chosen field of specialization; to develop tools with which to assess problems outside the student's field of specialization; to develop sufficient strength in the physical sciences for self-education beyond formal training; and to cultivate the motivation and foresight to become a productive and influential leader. As such, the graduate program in Materials Science is designed to be a doctoral program and students are only admitted into the doctoral program. There is no separate master's program in Materials Science, however, a degree of Master of Science in Materials Science can be awarded upon request by students after the fulfillment of course requirements.

The Ph.D. degree in Materials Science is focused on research. Study and research programs for the Ph.D. degree are individually planned to fit the interests and background of the student. A comprehensive research project resulting in an original contribution to the field documented by a dissertation is required.

Residency. A minimum of three academic years in residence as a graduate student are required by the Institute, and two or more additional years are usually needed for preparation of the thesis.

Language Requirement. There is no language requirement for the Ph.D. degree.

Minor. No minor is required for the Ph.D. degree. Students are, however, encouraged to take advanced courses appropriate to their particular interests.

Advising and Thesis Supervision

An interim adviser is appointed for each student upon admission to a graduate degree in Materials Science (typically the Materials Science option representative). The interim adviser will serve as the primary mentor until the student finds a research adviser. In the first year (no later than the third term), each student must choose a research adviser who will have primary responsibility for supervising the student's course program and research. The important adviser–advisee relationship requires effort from both parties, and some general expectations are outlined earlier in this section of the catalog. In consultation with their research adviser, the student should then form a Ph.D. thesis advisory committee. This four member committee should include: (i) the student's advisor, and (ii) at least three members of the Caltech professorial faculty. The research adviser and the thesis advisory committee provide the majority of mentoring to the student, providing advice on research, progress toward the Ph.D., future careers, and other aspects of life in graduate school and as a professional scientist.

Requirements for Candidacy to the Ph.D. Degree

To be recommended for candidacy for the Ph.D. degree in Materials Science, the student must, in addition to meeting the general Institute requirements, do the following:

• All units must be taken for grades and passed with a grade of at least a C, except for courses offered only on a pass/fail basis.
• Only courses in which a student has obtained a grade of C or higher will be counted toward the 135 unit minimum.
• No more than 27 units of research through MS 200 can be counted toward the 135 unit requirement of candidacy.
• Students must complete the degree progress report online.
• Alternate Subjects or Areas
  • Students entering the program with advanced preparation may choose either to substitute more advanced courses in the topical areas shown or to demonstrate competency by successfully passing both the midterm and final examinations.
  • Students may petition the option representative to accept alternate subjects or areas.
  • These changes should retain core materials science knowledge, and should represent sufficient breadth.
  • The approval is not automatic; such petitions must be submitted to the option representative and approved before the student registers for the course.

Students who fulfill the requirements above will be recommended for candidacy to the doctoral program and a master's degree (if applicable) in Materials Science.

Ph.D. Thesis Requirements

The candidate is to provide a draft copy of his or her completed thesis to the members of the examining committee (typically the same as the thesis advisory committee) at least two weeks before the final oral examination. The date of the examination and the composition of the examining committee will not be approved by the dean of graduate studies until the thesis is submitted in completed form, i.e., ready for review by the dean, the members of the thesis committee, and the Graduate Office proofreader. Registration is required for the term in which the thesis defense is undertaken, but is not normally allowed beyond the last date of the term. For more information, please see the section entitled "Information for Graduate Students" in the Caltech catalog.

Ph.D. Final Examination

The candidate is required to take a final oral examination covering the doctoral thesis and its significance in and relation to his or her major field. It will consist of a public thesis seminar and an associated oral examination on the thesis and related fields. This examination will be held at least two weeks after the doctoral thesis has been presented in its final form, and prior to its approval.

Registration Beyond the Sixth Year of Graduate Residence

A graduate student majoring in another option at the Institute may elect a subject minor in materials science. He or she must obtain approval from the materials science faculty of a course of study containing at least 45 units of advanced courses with a grade of C or higher. Normally a member of the materials science faculty will participate in the candidacy examination in the student's major department.

• Students cannot use courses required by their major option in fulfillment of this requirement.
• Students interested in a minor must receive prior approval from the option representative in materials science, who will review and approve the proposed course of study.
• It is recommended that this course of study include advanced courses spanning different subfields of materials science.

Subject Minor

A graduate student majoring in another option at the Institute may elect a subject minor in materials science. He or she must obtain approval from the materials science faculty of a course of study containing at least 45 units of advanced courses with a grade of C or higher. Normally a member of the materials science faculty will participate in the candidacy examination in the student's major department.

• Students cannot use courses required by their major option in fulfillment of this requirement.
• Students interested in a minor must receive prior approval from the option representative in materials science, who will review and approve the proposed course of study.
• It is recommended that this course of study include advanced courses spanning different subfields of materials science.