Doctoral Program
Deepen your understanding of materials in a graduate program that bridges academic disciplines
Notre Dame's Materials Science and Engineering doctoral program is a distinctive, interdisciplinary program representing seven departments and programs in the Colleges of Engineering and Science.
This program enhances student understanding through an interdisciplinary approach and leverages materials expertise to open new doors for graduates to industry, government, and academic careers. As engineering and scientific problems become increasingly complex, this degree broadens the expertise of graduates to aid them in assuming leadership roles in sophisticated fields.
Materials Science & Engineering students will:
- meet home department PhD requirements;
- complete nine credit hours selected from the Materials Science and Engineering course list;
- select a faculty co-advisor who crosses disciplines, preferably from outside the home department or program; and
- complete a doctoral thesis with a significant materials component, as approved by the Materials Science and Engineering Steering Committee.
- Submit a one-page, advisor approved research overview to the Steering Committee
- Submit candidacy materials to Steering Committee for review
- Submit doctoral dissertation to Steering Committee for review
Students who successfully complete both department/program and Materials Science and Engineering requirements will earn a Materials Science and Engineering PhD in their discipline. For example, a Chemistry student would earn the "Chemistry: Materials Science and Engineering" doctoral degree.
Competitive, one-year fellowships are available for Materials Science and Engineering students.
Entering the Materials Science and Engineering program
Students can become part of the Materials Science and Engineering program in one of two ways: as an incoming PhD student admitted to Notre Dame Graduate School through a participating department/program, or as a current PhD student at Notre Dame who transfers into the program. All students who receive a Materials Science and Engineering fellowship are expected to join the program.
Students in the Materials Science and Engineering program will still be part of their home department, participating in seminars, graduate student meetings, etc. They will also be part of the Materials Science and Engineering community on campus, participating in the program and related events.
ENTERING THE PROGRAM AS AN INCOMING PhD STUDENT
When applying to Notre Dame, incoming PhD students can select the Materials Science and Engineering degree that corresponds to the admitting department/program:
- Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering: Materials Science and Engineering - PhD
- Biochemistry: Materials Science and Engineering - PhD
- Bioengineering: Materials Science and Engineering - PhD
- Chemical Engineering: Materials Science and Engineering - PhD
- Chemistry: Materials Science and Engineering - PhD
- Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences: Materials Science and Engineering - PhD
- Electrical Engineering: Materials Science and Engineering - PhD
- Physics: Materials Science & Engineering - PhD
To receive email updates about the program, click into the Graduate School Inquiry Form and select any of the degrees listed above.
Students are admitted into the Materials Science and Engineering graduate program through one of seven participating departments or programs. Students will follow the home department's/program's existing process and timeline for recruiting and admissions:
- Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
- Bioengineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences
- Electrical Engineering
- Physics and Astronomy
Each student will be asked to submit a one-page, advisor-approved overview of his or her research for review by the Materials Science and Engineering Steering Committee. The research overview required template can be downloaded here.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS ANSWERED
TRANSFERRING TO THE PROGRAM AS A CURRENT NOTRE DAME PhD STUDENT
With the support of their faculty advisor, current Notre Dame graduate students already pursuing a PhD degree in a participating department/program can transfer into the Materials Science and Engineering program (generally sometime in the first three years of their doctoral studies). Students considering a transfer should follow these steps:
- Review the program details, including the expectations for your thesis research, courses, and co-advisor required to earn the Materials Science and Engineering degree.
- Discuss the opportunity to earn the Materials Science and Engineering PhD with your research advisor(s). (If you don't have a research advisor yet, discuss with your department's Director of Graduate Studies (DGS)). In this discussion, make sure that you and your advisor(s) are in agreement on how your thesis could or does meet the requirements of the Materials Science and Engineering degree. Also ensure that you'll be able to complete the courses required for the degree in your remaining time at Notre Dame.
- If you and your advisor(s) are in agreement about your joining the Materials Science and Engineering PhD program, email MSE-list@nd.edu to let the program staff know of your interest to pursue the degree.
- Submit a one-page, advisor-approved overview of your research for review/decision by the Materials Science and Engineering Steering Committee. The Steering Committee meets approximately quarterly for this purpose. The research overview required template can be downloaded here.
- Once your research is approved by the Steering Committee, the Materials Science & Engineering program staff will work with your home department and the Graduate School to ensure your transfer into the program.
Materials Science and Engineering Handbook
Need more information?
For more information on the Materials Science and Engineering Program, please contact us at MSE-list@nd.edu or 574-631-6470.