The goal of materials science is to provide improved materials for our society. Current new materials technologies demand materials scientists who can relate the processing, structure, and properties of a broad range of materials. The master's program offers a foundation in the science of materials and their use. The Ph.D. program offers a development of the student's ability to conduct original, creative research. Areas of study within the program include: 

1. Polymers--interrelations among processing, microstructure and behavior of polymeric solids. 
2. Semiconductors and metals--electrical, magnetic, optical and thermal behavior of materials, including semiconductors, photovoltaic, superconductors and magnetic materials, and devices. 
3. Composite materials--manufacture, microstructure, and properties of fiber-reinforced materials. 
4. Physical metallurgy--physical processing, structure, and properties of metals and alloys. 

Since the primary goal of the Department is to foster the development of Materials Science in general at Delaware, we are committed to acquiring, operating and maintaining a wide range of experimental equipment. To this end, and in addition to the usual laboratory equipment, the Program operates an Electron Microscope Laboratory and X-ray Laboratory as facilities which are available to researchers who may need them in the course of their work. A wide range of other analytical, computing, synthesis, and fabrication facilities are also available within the College of Engineering. 

Applicants are expected to have: 

1. A baccalaureate degree in materials science, in an engineering discipline or in a physical science. 
2. An undergraduate grade-point average in engineering, science, and mathematics courses of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. 
3. A minimum of three letters of strong support from former teachers or supervisors. 
4. A minimum combined verbal and quantitative score of 1150 on the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test. 
5. A minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language for students whose first language is not English and who have not received a degree from a college or university in which English is the sole language of instruction. 

Please refer to the chapter "Financial Aid" in this catalog. 

For the M.M.S.E. degree with thesis, 24 credit hours of course work and 6 credits of thesis work on a research topic are required. Of the 24 credits of course work, 6 credits are elective and are chosen in an area of specialization after discussion with the student's adviser. 

For the M.M.S.E. degree without thesis, 30 credit hours of course work are required. Of the 30 credits of course work, 12 credits are elective and are chosen after discussion with the student's adviser and will usually be related to the student's area of interest. The non-thesis M.M.S.E. degree is offered specifically for off-campus, part-time students and is not available to full-time graduate students. 

For the Ph.D. degree, 12 credits of coursework are required beyond those necessary for the master's degree, including 9 credits of elective courses. The candidate must also pass a qualifying examination. Subsequently, the student conducts research on a topic with an adviser of his or her own choosing. The dissertation must be of publishable quality as judged by the senior materials faculty. Finally, the student must pass an oral examination on the dissertation. 

Part-time graduate education is available through the Engineering Outreach Program. 

All graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade-point index of 3.0. 

Facility of Expression in English 

It is a requirement of the Department that students demonstrate an ability to express themselves orally in a clear and professional manner. Each candidate must present his or her research results in a departmental colloquium.