StudyQA — Master: Materials Science — University of Rochester

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

Material advances today are the basis for most technological changes. Materials Science encompasses a variety of research activities in which advanced materials are tailored for specific uses. The structure of materials and its relation to macroscopically observed properties forms a central research focal point.

The faculty in materials science act as an advisory body for students interested in research in this field, and for graduate students interested in Materials Science degrees, graduate courses, interdepartmental research efforts, or joint use of the many specialized materials laboratory facilities.

A regular series of interdepartmental seminars brings together UR students and faculty from across the spectrum of materials science. In addition, the UR Chapter of the Materials Research Society sponsors an annual Symposium and other events.

The Materials Science Program at the University of Rochester allows students to be flexible, in that they associate with that department closest to their interest in the field of materials science. Applications are handled by the individual departments, with the Department of Chemistry having administrative responsibility for the program. The Materials Science M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are approved by Materials Science Faculty.

M.S. degree with thesis (Plan A):

For students electing to obtain the M.S. degree with thesis (Plan A), the following requirements apply: The 30 credit hours must include a minimum of 20 credit hours of MSC graduate courses plus 10 credit hours for research, and the student must successfully complete an oral defense of his/her thesis, after all other degree requirements have been completed.

M.S. degree without a thesis (Plan B):

For students electing to obtain the M.S. degree without a thesis (Plan B), the following requirements apply: The 30 credit hours must include a minimum of 24 credit hours of MSC graduate courses plus 6 credit hours of other related courses. A student in Plan B must pass a comprehensive oral examination.

All Materials Science degree programs require completion of at least one course selected from each of the two categories listed below- Thermodynamics and Structure /Property relationships.

Other courses should be selected from the available courses in MSC and allied fields, in consultation with the student’s advisor. These additional courses must include a minimum number of credits that bear the MSC designation. This number depends on the specific program (Ph.D., Plan A M.S., Plan B M.S.) as described above.

Thermodynamics (must select a minimum of one course from this list)

MSC 405- THERMODYNMCS OF NANO & MICROSOLIDS (cross-listed as ME 460)
MSC 485- THERMODYNAMICS &STAT MECHANICS (cross-listed as CHE 485)
MSC 455- THERMODYNAMICS & STAT MECH (cross-listed as CHM 455)
MSC 418 - STATISTICAL MECHANICS (cross-listed as PHY 418)

Structure/ Property Relationships (must select a minimum of one course from this list)

MSC 541 – NANOSCALE CRYSTALLINE DEFECTS (cross-listed as ME 541)
MSC 408 - MICROSTRUCTURE (cross-listed as ME 463)
MSC 456 – CHEMICAL BONDS- FROM MOLECULES TO MATERIALS (CHM 456)
MSC 409 - MECHANICAL PROPERTIES (cross-listed as ME 481)

Course options and threads

Students interested in working towards a Materials Science degree have a wide range of courses from which to draw in constructing their programs of study. The following “threads” list a few recommended courses that may be of particular interest to students focused on specific aspects of the field. A list of additional recommended courses is also given below. These threads are intended to suggest courses that may be of particular interest to students focused in each area. However, provided other requirements are met (e.g. minimum number of credit hours with the MSC designation), students may select courses from different threads in consultation with their academic advisor. In making their selections students are strongly encouraged to consider the need for breadth, as well as depth, given the broad nature of the field.

Materials Processing and Characterization Thread

Courses introduce students to characterization and processing tools needed to understand and form materials into complex structures and integrated devices.

MSC 407 Solids and Materials Laboratory (ME 462)
MSC 431 Chemistry of Advanced Materials (CHE 480)
MSC 463 NMR CHM 422/423 MSC 403 Characterization methods in Materials Science- Diffraction ( ME 451)
MSC 461 Fracture and Fatigue ( ME 461)

Electronic and Optical Properties of Materials Thread

Courses establish fundamental electronic and optical properties of silicon, ceramics, and glasses to motivate advanced applications in optics, alternative energy, and medicine.

MSC 420 Introduction to Condensed Matter (PHY 420)
MSC 426 Semiconducting Devices (ECE 423)
MSC 470 Optical Properties of Materials (OPT 421)
MSC 460 Solar Cells (CHE 460)
MSC 456 Chemical Bonds (CHM 456)
ECE 492 Physics and Application of Nanophotonic and Nanomechanical Devices

Polymers and Biomaterials Thread

Courses emphasize both fundamental and applied concepts of polymer science and biomaterials.

MSC 410 Mechanical Properties of Polymers (ME 411)
MSC 433 Polymer Science and Engineering (CHE 486)
MSC 445 Biomaterials ( BME 445)
MSC 413 Engineering of Soft Matter ( CHE 413)
MSC 454 Interfacial Engineering ( CHE 454)

All Materials Science Courses

MSC 452 (BME 432 ) Controlled Release systems
MSC 442 (BME 442) Microbiomechanics
MSC 445 (BME 445) Biomaterials
MSC 451 (BME 451) Biomedical Ultrasound
MSC 462 (BME 462) Cell & Tissue Engineering
MSC 483 (BME 483) Biosolid Mechanics
BME 485 Cell & Membrane Mechanics ( Spring 2010)
MSC 413 (CHE 413) Engineering of Soft Matter
CHE 430 Organic Electronics ( PHY 429)
CHE 447 Optics and Liquid Crystals for Chemical Engineers( MSC 432)
MSC 454 (CHE 454) Interfacial Engineering
MSC 458 (CHE 458) Electrochemical Engineering and Fuel Cells
MSC 460 (CHE 460) Solar Cells
MSC 469 (CHE 469) Biotechnology and Bioengineering
MSC 434 (CHE 487) Polymer Rheology and Processing
MSC 431 (CHE 480) Chemistry of Advanced Materials
MSC 482 (CHE 482) Processing Microelectronic Devices
MSC 433 (CHE 486) Polymer Science and Engineering
MSC 472 (CHE 492) Biointerfaces
MSC 402 (CHM 402) Bio-Physical Chemistry I
MSC 404 (CHM 404) Bio-Physical Chemistry II
MSC 416 (CHM 416) X-ray Crystallography
MSC 463 (CHM 423) NMR MSC 456 (CHM 456) Chemical Bonds
MSC 436 (CHM 458) Molecular Spectroscopy and Structures
MSC 468 (CHM 460) Chemical Kinetics
MSC 426 (ECE 423) Semiconducting Devices (MSC 426)
MSC 484 (ECE 434) Microelectromechanical Systems
MSC 520 (ECE 520) Spin Based Electronics
MSC 580 (ECE 580) Nano-Electro-Opto-Bio
EES 448 High Temperature Geochemistry
EES 480 Material Properties of Deformed Rock
ME 405 Diffusion
ME 411 Mechanical Properties of Polymers (MSC 410)
MSC 432 (ME 432) Optomechanics
MSC 449 (ME 449) Elasticity
MSC 403 (ME 451) Characterization methods in Materials Science- Diffraction
MSC 461 (ME 461) Fracture and Fatigue
MSC 407 (ME 462) Solids and Materials Laboratory
MSC 507 (OPT 407) SEM Practicum
MSC 470 (OPT 421) Optical properties of Materials
MSC 464 (OPT 424) Fundamentals of Lasers
MSC 471 (OPT 443) Optical Fabrication and Testing ( MSC 471)
MSC 474 (OPT 463) Nano-optics
MSC 420 (PHY 420) Introduction to Condensed Matter

Requirements

Online Application
Personal statement
Transcripts of college and university grades. Unofficial documents are accepted when applying to the program. Official transcripts are required during the admission process.
Resume/CV
Three letters of recommendation submitted electronically. Instructions are provided when completing the application.
GRE scores (University code 2928 and Department code 1403) GRE reporting is optional for the Master’s applications. If a GRE score is self-reported, an official score report from ETS is required for score verification.
TOEFL or IELTS scores for non-native English speakers. TOEFL minimum score is 600 for paper based test, IBT is 95 (University code 7267, department code 69). IELTS minimum band score of 7.0.
There is a $60 fee to apply.
To obtain a visa for study in the United States, international students must present the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or IAP-66) at a U.S. consulate or embassy and demonstrate full proof of ability to pay all tuition and living expenses for the first year of study. Note: University fellowships may not cover all of these expenses; students will ordinarily need some additional funds. The International Student Office will issue the I-20 or IAP-66 after a student has been admitted, paid the required admission deposit, and demonstrated proof of his/her ability to pay all expenses for at least the first year of study.