The art of making materials is ancient; the science of making materials is modern. Material advances today are the basis for most technological changes. Materials Science encompasses a variety of research activities in which advanced materials are tailored for specific uses. The structure of materials and its relation to macroscopically observed properties forms a central research focal point. The faculty in materials science act as an advisory body for students interested in research in this field, and for graduate students interested in Materials Science degrees, graduate courses, interdepartmental research efforts, or joint use of the many specialized materials laboratory facilities.
A regular series of interdepartmental seminars brings together UR students and faculty from across the spectrum of materials science. In addition, the UR Chapter of the Materials Research Society sponsors an annual Symposium and other events.
A variety of courses appropriate to a materials-oriented graduate program is available. Students may work on a Materials Science degree (M.S. or Ph.D. - see application instructions), or enroll in regular degree programs of any of the departments of the University, and may design a program appropriate to a particular path of research in materials in consultation with their faculty advisor.
In the Department of Mechanical Engineering, a student working in materials science concentrates on the interaction between microstructure and mechanical properties of metals, ceramics, glasses, and polymers. Current projects include slip processes in polymers, temperature dependence of creep, corrosion, fatigue in metals at elevated temperatures, fuel cell catalysts, microgrinding of glass, powder processing, deformation of ionic materials, residual stress measurements, failure analysis, and the design of fracture-tough materials. The Department maintains specialized equipment including electron microscopes, an energy-dispersive X-ray microprobe, several Instron tensile testers, MTS and Instron servo-controlled fatigue machines, a differential scanning calorimeter, a hot isostatic press, melt-spin apparatus, and a computer-assisted nano-indenter.
In the Department of Chemical Engineering, a student working in materials is involved in studies of the relationship of structure and chemical composition to the chemical and physical properties of the materials. Current projects include studies of homogeneous nucleation, membrane phenomena, metal and metal oxide catalysts, fuel cell materials and optical polymers and liquid crystals. Appropriately specialized optical, electron, and mass spectrometric facilities are available.
In the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, a materials science student may enter such research areas as the electronic effects of surface preparation in semiconductors and insulators, bulk diffusion effects in semiconductors, fast electronics, and high temperature superconducting thin films. Current projects include thin film superconductivity and giant magnetoresistance, microwaves, picosecond phenomena, MEMS materials, fluctuations in superconductors, and bioelectric properties.
In the Institute of Optics, a materials science student may work on the fabrication and testing of optical materials, growth of crystals, sintering of powders, synthesis of lasers, and laser damage in optical materials.
Other participating departments include Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics and Astronomy.
In summary, the Materials Science Program at the University of Rochester allows students to be flexible, in that they associate with that department closest to their interest in the field of materials science. Applications are handled by the individual departments, with the Department of Mechanical Engineering having administrative responsibility for the program. The Materials Science M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are approved by Materials Science Faculty.
Contact the Director of the Materials Science Progam or the Chairperson of the most relevant department for current information concerning graduate study in Materials Science.
Faculty and Research Interests
Requirements for M.S. and Ph.D. in Materials Science
Application Instructions for M.S. and Ph.D. in Materials Science
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