Materials Science and Engineering, PhD
Materials science is a highly versatile discipline that enables innovations across a wide variety of technologies from cell phones to solar energy to bioimplants to airplanes. Applying insights from the basic sciences, this discipline designs new materials and fabrication methods to continually expand the scope and combination of mechanical, electrical, optical and transport properties available in materials. The newer fields of nanotechnology, biomaterials and quantum materials are providing materials scientists with an entirely new palette of atomic, molecular, organic, biological and inorganic building blocks to engineer materials with unique functionalities. The research and academic programs in the MSE Department and the broader MSE Graduate Group at Penn reflect these exciting new developments and our goal is to provide students enrolling in our program with a broad and multidisciplinary training so that they can be part of this materials revolution and contribute to solving the 21st century challenges.
For more information: http://www.mse.seas.upenn.edu/current-students/masters/doctoral-degree.php
University PhD Benchmarks
In addition to Program requirements, the following milestones must be completed:
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Evaluation | ||
| Candidacy Examination | ||
| Dissertation Defense/Oral Exam | ||
| Dissertation Deposit | ||
For more information view the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs.
Required Courses
Students are required to take at least 10 graduate level courses, including courses outside of their research area to gain a broader understanding of materials science and engineering. Doctoral students with a Master's degree may transfer up to eight credits as course units to the Ph.D. program upon the approval of the Graduate Group Chair. However, a maximum of five transferred courses count toward the 10 courses required for the Ph.D. program.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 3 | |
| Structure of Materials | ||
| Thermodynamics and Phase Equilibria | ||
| Kinetics of Materials | ||
| Additional Coursework | ||
| Select four non-core courses 1 | 4 | |
| Select three elective courses 2 | 3 | |
| Seminar | ||
| MSE Seminar (taken each semester) | ||
| Dissertation/Research | ||
| Independent Study Research | ||
| Dissertation | ||
| Total Course Units | 10 | |
University PhD Benchmarks
In addition to Program requirements, the following milestones must be completed:
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Evaluation | ||
| Candidacy Examination | ||
| Dissertation Defense/Oral Exam | ||
| Dissertation Deposit | ||
For more information view the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs.
- 1
Non-core courses may be selected from offerings within MSE and other departments in Engineering, as well as the physical, biological, and mathematical sciences. All courses must be graduate level (5000+).
- 2
Elective courses must be at the 5000 level or greater.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
Sample Plan of Study
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Structure of Materials | ||
| Thermodynamics and Phase Equilibria | ||
| MSE Seminar | ||
Three non-core courses 1 | ||
| Spring | ||
| Kinetics of Materials | ||
| MSE Seminar | ||
One non-core course 1 | ||
Qualifying Exam 3 | ||
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
Two elective courses 2 | ||
| Independent Study Research | ||
| MSE Seminar | ||
| Spring | ||
One elective course 2 | ||
| Independent Study Research | ||
| MSE Seminar | ||
| Third Year and Beyond | ||
| Independent Study Research | ||
or MSE 9950 | Dissertation | |
| MSE Seminar | ||
- 1
Non-core courses may be selected from offerings within MSE and other departments in Engineering, as well as the physical, biological, and mathematical sciences. All courses must be graduate level (5000+).
- 2
Elective courses must be at the 5000 level or greater.
- 3
The Qualifying Examination will be held at the end of May after the second semester.