Science of Advanced Materials

Ph.D.

Why study materials science at CMU?

Our advanced materials science program integrates diverse disciplines to investigate new materials and address challenges aimed at enhancement. Research in materials science emphasizes key themes of modeling, characterization and synthesis as their core methodologies. You’ll combine studies in materials science with elements of chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics as you train to be a research scientist.

Coursework is limited and flexible to allow you to focus immediately on the framework for studying materials as a research scientist with your peers.

Advanced material science faculty research

Examples of materials science faculty research:

• Designing hierarchically structured polymer materials, focusing on design principles, physical chemistry, property optimization and applications in biomedical and environmental fields.
• Developing and characterizing low molecular weight polymeric and dendritic materials for slow, sustained nitric oxide release, along with creating modified activated carbon to remove toxic heavy metal ions from water.
• Examining a variety of environmental and biomedical issues, including wastewater treatment with imprinted polymers, enhancing proton exchange fuel cell membranes and developing skin scaffolds from polysaccharides.
• Synthesizing and characterizing dendrimers for biomedical applications, utilizing various methodologies and collaborating with multiple departments and researchers on topics like oxidative stress, neurodegenerative diseases and vaccines.
• Studying a wide range of materials, including alkylsilanes, heme-containing proteins, inorganic glasses and polymers, complemented by modern computational modeling of molecular structure and conformation.
  

Students may enter the program with diverse backgrounds, but a master's degree in a relevant field is required. Check out the SAM Ph.D. department page for more details, including admissions requirements.

Highlights of the materials science doctoral degree

The curriculum for the SAM program includes:

• Work closely with faculty: Study with material science faculty experts who are actively making a difference in their field.
• Independent and group research: Enhance your research training in the science of materials.
• Choose your specialty: Tailor your electives and specialize in the areas of interest to you.
• Stay up-to-date with the research community: Engage in a seminar course, focus on current literature and develop essential skills in scientific communication.
• Represent your work: Share a dissertation illustrating your own original research with the world.