As a full-time graduate student, you are expected to complete the Ph.D. program in 5 years. This requires at least 10 credits per quarter. Note that you may not be considered "in good standing" if these timeframes are not met.
Students looking to plan their schedule for the upcoming year can view the tentative course schedule.
The following is a standard schedule for a full-time Ph.D. student entering with an undergraduate degree in materials science and engineering but no graduate degree.
First year
- Select a faculty adviser by the end of your first quarter, if not already assigned.
- Take background, core, and elective courses selected with your faculty adviser.
- Begin research with your faculty adviser's guidance.
| Quarter | Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUTUMN | MSE 510 | Bonding, Symmetry & Crystallography (core) | 3 |
| MSE 520 | Department Seminar | 1 | |
| MSE 5xx | Elective course requirement |
3 |
|
| MSE 503 | Thermodynamics (if not previously completed) |
3 |
|
| MSE 600 | Research | 1 or more | |
| WINTER | MSE 541 | Defects in Materials (core) | 3 |
| MSE 5xx | Elective course requirement | 3 | |
| MSE 520 | Department Seminar | 1 | |
| MSE 600 | Research | 1 or more | |
| SPRING | MSE 525 | Kinetics (core) | 3 |
| MSE 520 | Department Seminar | 1 | |
| MSE 5xx | Elective course requirement | 3-4 | |
| MSE 600 | Research | 1 or more | |
| SUMMER | MSE 600 | Research | 2 |
Second year
- Take additional courses to broaden base of study and lend support to the major field.
- Complete written qualifying exam (QE).
- Request non-thesis master’s degree (after QE is complete).
| Quarter | Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUTUMN | MSE 520 | Department Seminar | 1 |
| MSE 5xx | Elective course requirement (if necessary) | 3 | |
| MSE 600 | Research | 1 or more | |
| WINTER | MSE 520 | Department Seminar | 1 |
| MSE 600 | Research | 1 or more | |
| Electives as needed to expand background and research area | |||
| SPRING | MSE 520 | Department Seminar | 1 |
| MSE 600/800 | Research: MSE 600 until QE passed and supervisory committee formed; MSE 800 after that. | 1 or more | |
| Electives as needed to expand background and research area | |||
Third year (autumn quarter)
- Establish your Ph.D. supervisory committee.
- Keep registering for MSE 600 until you pass the QE and have established your supervisory committee. After that, register for MSE 800.
Third through fourth years
Complete your general examination (GE).
Fourth through fifth years
- Establish your reading committee; usually three members of your supervisory committee.
- Complete your final examination (dissertation defense).