School of Engineering - Materials Science and Engineering Department

Gerald H. Meier, PhD, Interim Chair

Web site:http://www.engrng.pitt.edu/~msewww/gradcur.html

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering offers broad-based educational and research programs in metallurgy, materials science and engineering leading to the degrees of Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy. These programs are oriented toward the transition of results from scientific and engineering disciplines to the solution of materials problems that impede technological progress. They are designed to educate engineers, providing them with the tools to become successful in research, development, production, management, and teaching.

In materials science and engineering, there are programs in structural and electronic ceramics, electromagnetic properties, materials processing and advanced characterization.

Basic courses in the structure, properties, and energetics of materials are taken in common by the students and through advanced and specialty courses the student, working with faculty advisors, tailors the program to suit individual interests and demands of the student's chosen field of specialization.

The range of research programs in the department reflects the broad spectrum of interest of the faculty. However, interest in the structure and properties of materials and their influence on materials processing is a common thread that ties together many of the programs. Research is aimed at building an understanding of basic phenomena that will lead to solutions of materials problems at the forefront of technological and social progress.

Current research programs are centered in several areas of ceramics, metallurgy, and polymers, including: corrosion and oxidation; high-temperature materials; magnetic materials; materials for energy applications; melting and refining; metal-forming processes; phase transformations in metals and ceramics; intermetallic phases; plastic deformation of metals and alloys and composites; strengthening mechanisms, surfaces and interfaces; thermomechanical processing of steels; thermodynamic properties of materials; ceramic processing; sintering science; high-temperature superconductivity; electronic properties of ceramics; ferroelectrics and magnetorheological fluids; nanophases and catalytic materials.

Contact Information

Students wishing more information or application forms for admission or financial aid may write to any member of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering faculty or to:

Graduate Coordinator

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

848 Benedum Hall

School of Engineering

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA 15261

Web site:http://www.engrng.pitt.edu/~msewww/gradcur.html

Master of Science Program

The department offers a Master of Science degree in Materials Science and Engineering. The major areas of specialization are physical, mechanical, process, and chemical metallurgy and advanced ceramics. MS degrees can be obtained in programs with thesis or non-thesis options. The non-thesis options are available for part-time students only.

In the thesis option, the MS degree requirements include the completion of a minimum of 24 credits of course work and six credits of thesis. The non-thesis research option requires the completion of 30 credits of courses following the recommended distribution in the various areas of specialization.

Details of the requirements and options are given in the pamphlet Guidelines for Students in the MS Program, which is available in the departmental office.

Doctor of Philosophy Program

The major requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree are:

1. passing the qualifying examination, which is based on a broad body of knowledge defined for each option;
2. passing the comprehensive examination on the area of specialization (thesis area); and
3. completion and successful defense of a PhD dissertation.

The procedures and requirements for the PhD are given in detail in the pamphlet Guidelines for Students in the PhD Program, available in the departmental office.

Graduate Materials Science and Engineering Courses