Ph.D. in the Science of Advanced Materials
Minimum total for graduation: 90 hours
The science of materials combines elements of chemistry, physics and biology, and requires a solid background in mathematics. The CMU Science of Advanced Materials (SAM) Ph.D. program is designed to create a correspondingly interdisciplinary environment that will train effective researchers without erecting artificial boundaries between disciplines. The formal coursework focuses on the scientific framework for studying materials and is organized around the themes of modeling, synthesis and characterization. These are the key methodologies employed in materials research and the SAM program emphasizes the synergy among them.
Curriculum
The SAM program is designed as a research-intensive program, with a core of interdisciplinary courses on the science of materials. Electives and courses on specialized topics are available through Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and other departments.
You will meet with an advisor to map out a plan of study. Click here for a typical timeline for progress through the program.
If you are entering with a B.S. degree in a related field, you should expect to spend 5 years in residence to complete the SAM program.
Research Rotations
During your first year in the program, you will rotate through at least 3 faculty members' labs or research groups to gain experience and learn individual faculty member's research areas. You will register for 2 hours of SAM 796 Directed Research with each of these faculty members. Usually by the end of the year, you will select a research advisor.