Doctor of Philosophy

The Materials Science and Engineering PhD program at CU Boulder will provide you a thorough, interdisciplinary education in materials science and engineering and the fundamental physics, engineering, chemistry and biology that underlie this field.

Educational goals are achieved through both coursework and training in cross-disciplinary research supervised by one or more science and engineering faculty members.

Requirements

Required Core Courses for All Tracks (9 Credits)

  • Materials Composition and Structure 
  • Materials Characterization for Engineering
  • Materials Thermodynamics and Kinetics

Specialized Track Courses (12 Credits)

Students must take four approved track-specific courses. Required track-specific courses and approved track-specific electives are listed on the coursework page.

Breadth Electives (9 Credits)

Students must select three breadth electives with approval of the PhD research advisor and program. Independent study and MSEN 5000 may count as breadth electives. Students may earn up to 6 credits of independent study towards breadth electives.

Degree Plan

A degree plan will be determined in consultation with the MSE staff academic advisor and your research advisor/PI. The program will be tailored to your research interests and should represent a coordinated approach to attaining your ultimate goals including classwork, professional preparation, and research.

Time Limit 

All degree requirements must be completed within six years from the date of commencing coursework.

Program Requirements

The purpose of the exam is to determine if the student is prepared to do PhD-level research. The exam tests the student’s foundational knowledge in Materials Science and Engineering, the relevant literature of the proposed research, and the methods for the proposed research. The exam tests the student’s ability to think critically, develop an experimental plan, and interpret data. The exam does not test the feasibility of the research.

Preliminary examination will be taken in the spring of the student’s second year. If the first attempt is unsuccessful, a second attempt will be scheduled for the following semester. Two successive failures result in a terminal MS as the highest possible degree. Students who have a master's degree should complete the preliminary exam in the third semester of study.

Please review the complete preliminary examination policy here.

After successful completion of the preliminary examination, students are required to meet with their defense committee (assembled by the student and their advisor) at least annually. The purpose of the meetings is to assist students in achieving the twin goals of having tangible results to present and a deeper understanding of them by comprehensive examination. Students will begin filling out a form, completed by the chair of their committee, for feedback.

Before admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree, you must pass a comprehensive examination, which shall consist of a written and an oral examination in your field of concentration and related fields. At the comprehensive examination, you shall present a plan for the dissertation research to the Advisory Committee for approval.

  • The comprehensive exam normally takes place one year before the final thesis defense.
  • In addition to the graduate school requirements the MSE comprehensive exam requirements are:
    • At least three out of five members of the Comprehensive Examination Committee shall be Fellows or Affiliates of the MSE program.
    • A written proposal, not to exceed 15 pages (1.5-spaced) with 1” margins, must be distributed to your faculty committee two weeks before the exam. Either a PDF or paper version should be submitted, depending on which format each committee member prefers. The proposal should include:
      • a discussion of the state of the art;
      • progress to date;
      • details of the remaining proposed study;
      • a tabulated budget estimate for the time remaining (e.g., salary, stipend, tuition, materials and supplies, travel); plan for any remaining thesis hours and proposed graduation semester; and
      • a time estimate for completion of the research and dissertation.
    • You are expected to deliver a 30 minute summary of the research proposal, after which you will be questioned by the Examination Committee. You must be able to demonstrate thorough knowledge of the fundamentals and application of the research field, define an original research problem and show the scientific and engineering basis for a creative, intelligent solution to the proposed research problem. The exam can be open or closed. You should discuss the benefits of both options with your research advisor. You should reserve 2 hours for the exam, which in its entirety can last 1-2 hours.
  • Checklist for comprehensive exam requirements:
    • Assemble committee and set the date, time, and location for the exam.
    • Complete Candidacy Application for an Advanced Degree Form on the Graduate School website and submit to the MSE graduate advisor at least two weeks before the exam.
    • Complete Doctoral Examination Report Form at the Graduate School website and submit to the MSE graduate advisor at least two weeks before the exam.
    • Submit written proposal to committee at least two weeks before the exam.
    • Successfully pass comprehensive exam.
      • When the exam is complete, the graduate advisor will collect committee-member signatures by Docusign. You should make sure MSE graduate advisor has the email address of any external members. The completed form will then be emailed to the graduate school along with the candidacy application.

Students must write a dissertation based on original research conducted under the supervision of a graduate faculty member. The dissertation must fulfill all Graduate School requirements. After the dissertation is completed, an oral final examination on the dissertation and related topics is conducted by the student's doctoral committee.

  • In addition to the graduate school requirements the final exam requirements are:
    • At least three out of five members of the Final Examination Committee shall be Fellow or Affiliate members of the MSE program. The final exam committee is normally composed of the same five members as the comprehensive exam committee, but you may substitute members as appropriate in consultation with your research advisor.
  • Checklist for final exam and graduation requirements:
    • Mark all deadlines for the semester of graduation on your calendar. These deadlines are strict.
    • Apply online to graduate through your Buff Portal by the deadline.
    • Schedule the date, time, and location for the exam. The exam date must occur at least one month prior to intended graduation date. Make sure to review graduate school deadlines prior to scheduling the exam.
    • Update dissertation title (as necessary) by the deadline.
    • Complete Doctoral Examination Report Form on the Graduate School website and submit to the MSE graduate advisor at least two weeks before the exam.
    • Successfully defend dissertation.
      • When the exam is complete, the graduate advisor will collect committee-member signatures by docusign. You should make sure MSE graduate advisor has the email address of any external members. The form will then be emailed to the graduate school.
    • Submit electronic copy of dissertation by the deadline.
    • Submit Thesis Approval Form (TAF) to collect first and second reader signatures.
    • MSE Graduate advisor will submit final grade card to the Graduate School. Please inform the MSE graduate advisor when you have submitted your dissertation.