Materials Science and Engineering

Materials Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University offers a comprehensive and innovative program designed to prepare students for careers at the forefront of technology and industry. This program combines fundamental principles of physics, chemistry, and engineering to explore the structure, properties, and performance of materials used in a wide range of applications, from aerospace to biomedical devices. Students gain a solid foundation in the science of materials, including metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites, as well as hands-on laboratory experience and advanced coursework in materials processing, characterization, and design. The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, encouraging students to develop skills in problem-solving, research, and innovation. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and research centers, fostering opportunities to participate in cutting-edge projects in nanomaterials, biomaterials, energy storage, and sustainable materials. The program also offers concentrations and electives tailored to specific interests, such as materials for health, advanced manufacturing, and electronics. Collaborations with industry leaders and research institutions provide internships, co-op opportunities, and exposure to real-world challenges, preparing graduates for successful careers in academia, government, and private sectors. The Johns Hopkins Materials Science and Engineering program is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive community of learners dedicated to advancing materials research and technology to address societal needs and improve quality of life worldwide.

To receive the degree of Ph.D., the candidate must fulfill the requirements below. The department must be satisfied that all academic requirements have been satisfied by the candidate before a recommendation will be made to the University Graduate Board to confer the Ph.D. degree.

1. Successful completion of four required courses in materials science and engineering.
    

   EN.510.601	Structure of Materials	3.00
   EN.510.602	Thermodynamics of Materials	3.00
   EN.510.603	Phase Transformations of Materials	3.00
   EN.510.615	Physical Properties of Materials	3.00

   
   Each of the four required courses must be passed with a letter grade of B- or higher. If a student receives a grade of C+ or lower in a required course, the student may re-take the course once to achieve a grade of B- or higher. Receipt of grades of C+ or lower in two or more required courses will ordinarily be cause for dismissal from the program without the opportunity to re-take those courses.
   
   In addition, the student must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better in the four required courses. If the student’s GPA falls below 3.0, the student must re-take one or more of the required courses and earn higher grade(s). Upon doing so the prior grade(s) in those course(s) are replaced and not counted toward the GPA.
   
   The four required courses must be successfully completed (meeting the grade and GPA requirements above) no later than the start of the student’s third year after matriculation; failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program. Exception: A student who fails to meet the requirements above due to a low grade in a single required course, and who has not had an opportunity to re-take that course during the first two years, will be permitted to re-take that one course in the third year.
   
   Students who have completed prior graduate-level coursework similar to EN.510.601 Structure of Materials, EN.510.602Thermodynamics of Materials or EN.510.603 Phase Transformations of Materials may petition the Graduate Program Committee to waive one of these required courses. Alternatively, students with undergraduate degrees in Materials Science may petition the Graduate Program Committee to waive the Physical Properties course. However, only one of the four required courses can be waived. If approved, the course that has been waived will not be counted toward calculation of the GPA as described above. Written requests for such waivers must be submitted to the Graduate Program Committee no later than the end of the first semester after matriculation.  Please note that transfer coursework grades do not count towards calculation of the GPA.
2. Successful completion of three advanced (600-level or higher) elective courses in materials science and engineering or a related field.
   
   Elective courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher, but there is no cumulative GPA requirement. A list of approved electives is available from the Academic Program Coordinator. Students wishing to use a course not on this list must submit a request to the Graduate Program Committee no later than the end of the first week of the semester in which the course is taken. Students who have completed prior graduate-level coursework may petition the Graduate Program Committee to waive one of the required elective courses.
   
   Graduate research (EN.510.807-EN.510.808), part-time graduate courses (from Engineering for Professionals in WSE or Advanced Academic Programs in KSAS), and seminars (courses with less than three contact hours per week) will not be counted toward completion of PhD course requirements. Undergraduate courses (400-level or lower) will not be counted unless they are cross-listed as graduate level, 600 or higher. Independent study courses may be used with prior approval of the Graduate Program Committee.
   
   Students who have completed prior graduate-level coursework may petition the Graduate Program Committee to waive one of the required elective courses. Written requests for such waivers must be submitted to the Graduate Program Committee no later than the end of the first semester after matriculation.
   
   In some cases an advisor may require a student to complete additional coursework, beyond the four required courses and three electives described above.
3. Teaching Assistant Requirement.
   
   Students in their second year in the department will be required to act as teaching assistant for two courses.
4. Successful completion of a comprehensive oral examination covering fundamentals of materials science and engineering. The comprehensive examination tests knowledge in each of the subjects listed below:
   
   –Structure of materials
   –Thermodynamics of materials
   –Phase transformations in materials
   
   In each of the three subject areas, students may be asked questions related to the properties of materials. The depth of required knowledge regarding properties of materials will match the level of knowledge presented in the Physical Properties of Materials class.
   
   Successful completion of the comprehensive exam requires satisfactory performance on all areas tested; there are no partial or conditional passes.
   
   The comprehensive exam is offered semiannually, usually immediately prior to the fall and spring semesters. A student who fails the exam on the first try may make a second attempt, but the exam must be successfully completed no later than the start of the third year following matriculation. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program.
5. An oral presentation of a proposal for a research project to form the basis of the candidate’s dissertation.
   
   The dissertation proposal must be presented at a department seminar no later than the end of the third year following matriculation. A written version of the dissertation proposal must be submitted to a faculty committee consisting of the student’s faculty advisor and two other faculty members (to be selected in consultation with the advisor) no later than two weeks prior to the oral presentation. A brief closed session between the student and the committee shall follow the presentation, at which the committee members will ask questions about and provide comments on the proposed plan of research. Additional private discussions may be required by one or more committee members. The thesis proposal is also an examination, with the committee testing the candidate’s depth of knowledge in his or her area of specialization (and not simply on the specific proposed research).
6. Completion of an original research project, documented in a dissertation that is defended by the candidate in a public presentation.
   
   Candidates must write a dissertation conforming to university requirements that describes their work and results in detail. A public defense of the dissertation is required, and will be followed by a closed examination session. The committee for the closed examination shall consist of five faculty members, approved by the Graduate Program Committee, with at least two members being from outside the department. The outcome of the closed examination will be decided by majority vote of the committee. Because the closed examination session fulfills the university Graduate Board Oral (GBO) examination requirement, all procedures pertaining to GBOs as established by the University Graduate Board must be followed.
   
   The committee may impose certain conditions (e.g. changes to the dissertation) for the candidate to meet prior to final certification that he or she has passed the exam. For this reason, the thesis defense must be scheduled for a date at least two months prior to any personal or university deadline for graduation. A complete draft of the dissertation must be submitted to all committee members no later than two weeks prior to the defense.
   
   The dissertation in its final form must be read and approved in writing by two members of the committee (the advisor and one other member to be chosen by the committee as a whole).

• Letters of Recommendation (2),
• GRE,
• TOEFL/IELTS,
• Statement of Purpose,
• Transcripts

The Materials Science and Engineering program at Johns Hopkins University offers students a comprehensive financial support structure designed to assist with the costs of their education. Funding options include scholarships, graduate assistantships, and departmental fellowships that aim to ease the financial burden on enrolled students. Undergraduate students may apply for merit-based scholarships awarded based on academic achievement, leadership, and research potential. These scholarships provide partial to full tuition coverage and are renewable annually, contingent upon maintaining certain academic standards. Graduate students in the program can benefit from teaching and research assistantships, which provide a stipend along with tuition remission. These roles typically involve assisting faculty with research projects or instructing undergraduate courses, offering valuable professional experience while supporting the student financially. Additionally, departmental fellowships are available to highly qualified applicants and are awarded based on academic excellence and research promise. Such fellowships often include a stipend and tuition assistance, allowing students to focus fully on their studies and research activities. Outside funding sources, such as federal or state grants, private foundations, and industry-sponsored scholarships, may also be available to students pursuing research in Materials Science and Engineering. The university’s financial aid office provides guidance and application support for these options. Furthermore, many students secure external research grants or fellowships that support their work in this field, fostering both academic and professional growth. Johns Hopkins University emphasizes a holistic approach to student financing, encouraging applicants to explore all possible avenues for funding their education. The goal is to minimize financial barriers, ensuring that talented students can access and succeed in the program regardless of their economic background. Info about specific scholarship amounts, application procedures, or eligibility criteria can be obtained directly from the admissions and financial aid offices of Johns Hopkins University, or via the university’s official website. Overall, the program’s financing options reflect the university’s commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in Materials Science and Engineering by supporting its students through diverse and accessible funding mechanisms.

Materials Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare students for careers in research, development, and engineering related to materials. The program emphasizes understanding the relationship between structure, properties, processing, and performance of various materials, including metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites. Students have opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research projects under the guidance of expert faculty members, focusing on areas such as nanomaterials, biomaterials, electronic materials, and sustainable materials. The program combines rigorous coursework with hands-on laboratory experience, enabling students to develop practical skills in materials characterization, testing, and fabrication techniques. Through interdisciplinary collaboration with departments such as Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Applied Physics, students gain a broad perspective on the applications of materials science in technology and industry. The curriculum includes fundamental topics like thermodynamics, kinetics, crystallography, and materials properties, as well as specialized electives allowing students to tailor their studies to specific interests and career goals. Johns Hopkins’ commitment to innovation is reflected in state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced laboratories equipped with modern instrumentation for materials analysis. The program is ideal for students interested in pursuing graduate studies or careers in industries such as aerospace, energy, healthcare, and manufacturing, where advanced materials play a crucial role. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to contribute to the development of new materials, improve existing ones, and address global challenges through sustainable and innovative solutions. The university’s collaborative environment, combined with a strong focus on research and real-world applications, ensures students are prepared for leadership roles in the rapidly evolving field of materials science and engineering.