Curriculum in Doctor of Philosophy – Materials Science and Engineering
A candidate for the Ph.D. degree with a major in materials science and engineering must comply with the rules and regulations as outlined in the WVU Graduate Catalog and the specific requirements of the Statler College and the Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering (MMAE).
Program Requirements
The doctor of philosophy degree with a major in materials science and engineering is administered through the college’s interdisciplinary Ph.D. program. The research work for the doctoral dissertation must show a high degree of originality on the part of the student and must constitute an original contribution to the art and science of materials science and engineering.
All Ph.D. degree candidates are required to perform research and follow a planned program of study. The student’s research advisor, in conjunction with the student’s Advising and Examining Committee (AEC) will be responsible for determining the plan of study appropriate to the student’s needs. The underlying principle of the planned program is to provide the students with the necessary support to complete their degree and prepare them for their career.
Publication Requirement for PhD Students
Prior to scheduling the dissertation defense, Ph.D. students are required to provide written documentation that they have received formal proof of submission of either:
a.) At least one manuscript, generally co-authored with their research supervisor and about some portion of their PhD dissertation research, to an archival journal for publication, or
b.) At least one patent disclosure, also generally about some portion of their PhD dissertation research.
This publication requirement will have to be satisfied prior to scheduling the defense of the Ph.D. Dissertation.
Curriculum Requirements (BS-PhD Pathway)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required in all courses. | ||
| Coursework Requirements | ||
| MSEN 583 | Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Materials | 3 |
| MSEN 580 | Crystallography and Crystals | 3 |
| MSEN 649 | Microscopy of Materials | 3 |
| Select courses from the following list: | 21 | |
| Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering | ||
| Chemical Reaction Engineering | ||
| Transport Phenomena | ||
| Catalysis | ||
| Mass Spectrometry Principles and Practices | ||
| Organometallic Chemistry | ||
| Chemical Crystallography | ||
| Electrochemistry and Instrumentation | ||
| Physical Methods in Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| Biomedial Microdevices | ||
| Advanced Semiconductor Electronics | ||
| Linear Integrated Circuits | ||
| Optoelectronics | ||
| Advanced Solid State Physics | ||
| Semiconductor Physics | ||
| Collective Phenomena in Solids | ||
| Optical Properties of Solids | ||
| Introduction to Fuel Cell Technology | ||
| Advanced Mechanics of Materials | ||
| Continuum Mechanics | ||
| Inelastic Behavior of Engineering Materials | ||
| Fracture Mechanics | ||
| Energy Methods in Applied Mechanics | ||
| Advanced Mechanics of Composite Materials | ||
| Experimental Stress Analysis and Experimental Stress Analysis Laboratory | ||
| Materials Engineering | ||
Any BIOM, BMEG, CE, CHE, CHEM, CPE, CS, EE, IENG, IH&S, MAE, MATH, MINE, PNGE, PHYS, SAFM, SENG, EXPH 583, or STAT courses 500-795, as approved by the student's AEC. | ||
| Materials Science and Engineering Seminar | 2 | |
| Materials Science and Engineering Seminar | ||
| Research | 24 | |
MSEN 797 | Research | |
| Milestones | ||
Plan of Study | ||
Qualifying Exam | ||
Candidacy Exam | ||
Publication Requirement | ||
Final Exam | ||
Dissertation | ||
| Total Hours | 56 | |
Curriculum Requirements (MS-PhD Pathway)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required in all courses. | ||
| Coursework Requirements | ||
| MSEN 580 | Crystallography and Crystals | 3 |
| MSEN 583 | Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Materials | 3 |
| MSEN 649 | Microscopy of Materials | 3 |
| Select courses from the following list: | 9 | |
| Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering | ||
| Transport Phenomena | ||
| Chemical Reaction Engineering | ||
| Catalysis | ||
| Mass Spectrometry Principles and Practices | ||
| Organometallic Chemistry | ||
| Chemical Crystallography | ||
| Electrochemistry and Instrumentation | ||
| Biomedial Microdevices | ||
| Advanced Semiconductor Electronics | ||
| Linear Integrated Circuits | ||
| Optoelectronics | ||
| Advanced Solid State Physics | ||
| Semiconductor Physics | ||
| Collective Phenomena in Solids | ||
| Optical Properties of Solids | ||
| Introduction to Fuel Cell Technology | ||
| Advanced Mechanics of Materials | ||
| Continuum Mechanics | ||
| Inelastic Behavior of Engineering Materials | ||
| Fracture Mechanics | ||
| Energy Methods in Applied Mechanics | ||
| Advanced Mechanics of Composite Materials | ||
| Experimental Stress Analysis and Experimental Stress Analysis Laboratory | ||
| Materials Engineering | ||
Any BIOM, BMEG, CE, CHE, CHEM, CPE, CS, EE, IENG, IH&S, MAE, MATH, MINE, PNGE, PHYS, SAFM, SENG, EXPH 583, or STAT courses 500-795, as approved by the student's AEC. | ||
| Materials Science and Engineering Seminar | 2 | |
| Materials Science and Engineering Seminar | ||
| Research | 24 | |
MSEN 797 | Research | |
| Milestones | ||
Plan of Study | ||
Qualifying Exam | ||
Candidacy Exam | ||
Publication Requirement | ||
Final Exam | ||
Dissertation | ||
| Total Hours | 44 | |
Examinations
Qualifying Exam
All Ph.D. students must take and pass a written qualifying examination. The qualifying examination is given no later than the end of the third semester of enrollment in their Ph.D. program. This examination is designed to assess the basic competency of students to determine whether or not they have sufficient knowledge of the discipline to undertake independent research. The qualifying examination is administered by the Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering following the format specifically set forth for the MS&E Ph.D. degree program.
Candidacy Examination
In order to be admitted to candidacy, the student must pass a candidacy exam, which is designed to evaluate the student’s overall ability to engage in high-level research. After passing the qualifying examination, the student must submit to the AEC a written research proposal of his/her planned dissertation work and successfully defend it in an oral examination. The research proposal must be approved by the student’s AEC. A student who has successfully completed all coursework, passed the qualifying examination, successfully defended the research proposal, and receives the college’s approval becomes a candidate for a Ph.D. degree. Thereafter, the student will officially be engaged in dissertation research.
Final Examination
At the completion of the dissertation research, candidates must prepare a dissertation and pass the final oral examination (defense) administered by their AEC. This examination is open to the public and, in order to evaluate critically the student's competency, may include testing on material in related fields, as deemed necessary by the AEC.
Degree Progress
The Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering requires the following milestones for all doctoral students. According to the graduate catalog, students will receive a yearly evaluation. This requirement may be waived for students in good standing who are expected to graduate in within the next semester.
Students who are either not making adequate degree progress or who are failing to uphold professional standards may receive notice of probation, suspension or dismissal. Students may be notified of academic consequences outside of routine evaluation processes if an issue must be addressed immediately.
Each year, no later than the first day of classes of the Fall semester, the department will distribute an updated version of the graduate handbook.
Benchmarks
- Year One:
- Submit a Preliminary Plan of Study to Department (graduate coordinator or program assistant)
- Complete Qualifying Exam
- Year Three+:
- Complete the Candidacy Exam
- Submit Admission to Candidacy for the PhD form with Intermediate Plan of Study to Statler Student Services
After admission to Candidacy, students must maintain enrollment in the fall and spring terms and must defend within five years.
- Final Semester:
- Apply to Graduate (Registrar Form)
- Submit Final Plan of Study, Request for Final Defense, and Abstract three weeks prior to defense date.
- Prepare ETD by deadline (See for dates and document formatting)
- Additional Requirements:
- Students must meet the stated publication requirement as listed on the program curriculum page.
Satisfactory Progress
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA in all coursework.
- Students must earn a grade of Satisfactory in the research course.
More information on policies regarding student progress can be found on the Statler College Policies page.
Major Learning Outcomes
Doctor of Philosophy (PHD)
Upon graduation with a Ph.D. degree from the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources students will have:
- Ability to initiate research ideas in order to solve specific problems and to write research proposals on these ideas
- Have an expert-level understanding of the advanced principles of their fields of study
- Furthered a novel research idea which has contributed to the state of the art in their specific areas of expertise
- Ability to plan original research projects, to perform laboratory or field based experimental tasks, generate data from those tasks, and draw conclusions based on sound scientific and engineering principles
- Ability to develop innovative research in order to advance the frontiers of knowledge and secure sponsored research
- Ability to write technical articles for dissemination through peer-reviewed, refereed journals or other venues
- Ability to make oral and poster presentations at technical meetings
- Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities in the practice of their profession to contribute to the well-being of society and to the advancement of their profession
- Demonstrated initiative in research planning and management, including safety and environmental issues
- Technical preparation for and an awareness of the need for life-long learning and continuing education