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MSE Program Educational Goals, and MSE Department Mission and Vision

Graduate and Research Programs

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Last updated 2004

Introduction

Michigan Tech granted its first PhD degrees in Metallurgy in 1934, and has continued to be active in research and graduate education. Two periods of particular productivity included the early 1970s and the mid-1990s. For example, in the years from 1994-1998, the Department had up to 18 faculty members, and research expenditures (including the Institute of Materials Processing) were in the vicinity of $2.5 to 3 million per year. All faculty members were research-active to one extent or another. At that time, the Department conducted the majority of its research in areas that could be considered “traditional” metallurgy, ceramics, and minerals processing. Since 1998, the Department has undergone substantial reductions in faculty size, while at the same time broadening the research focus to include electronic/magnetic/photonic materials and polymers.

Mission, Vision and Educational Objectives

The mission and vision statements of the graduate program are identical to those of the Department. The graduate program educational objectives are:

MS Program

The MS Program, which is only available through the thesis option, is designed to provide depth through graduate courses and thesis research. The goals of our MS program are to produce graduates who

1. Have an in-depth understanding of materials thermodynamics, kinetics, phase transformations, crystallography, and characterization techniques.
2. Have in-depth knowledge of at least one area of Materials Science and Engineering, and the demonstrated ability to successfully complete a high-level research project
3. Are able to communicate skillfully and effectively, in both oral and written forms.

PhD Program

The PhD program builds upon the MS program, and requires an original research contribution. The goals of our PhD program are to produce graduates who

1. Understand all important areas of Materials Science and Engineering at the advanced BS level.
2. Have an in-depth understanding of materials thermodynamics, kinetics, phase transformations, crystallography, and characterization techniques.
3. Have demonstrated the ability to plan, conduct, complete, and disseminate original research that substantially advances the state of knowledge in the field.
4. Are able to communicate skillfully and effectively, in both oral and written forms.

See Also: Mission, Vision and Goals for the MSE Undergraduate Program

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