The Materials Science and Engineering PhD program provides students with a fundamental and applied research-based education suitable for seeking employment in industry or academia.
The Materials Science and Engineering PhD program is designed for students with a master's degree in materials science and engineering or closely related disciplines. The program provides students with a fundamental and applied research-based education suitable for seeking employment in industry or academia.
The Materials Science and Engineering PhD program requires a minimum of 72 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. The program requires 27 hours of formal course work exclusive of independent study and a minimum of 15 hours of dissertation research (EMA 7980). A minimum of 12 credit hours of elective coursework is required to be taken at UCF. Details of program requirements are located in the Materials Science and Engineering PhD Handbook.
Total Credit Hours Required: 72 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree
This program has potential ties to professional licensure or certification in the field. For more information on how this program may prepare you in that regard, please visit https://apq.ucf.edu/files/Licensure-Disclosure-CECS-Materials-Science-Engineering-PhD.pdf.
Program Prerequisites
Master's and/or bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering or a closely related discipline.
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- Official, competitive GRE score taken within the last five years.
- Master's and/or bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering or a closely related discipline.
- Résumé.
- Statement about educational, research and professional career objectives should include the student's intention for full or part-time study and their desire for an assistantship or fellowship.
- Three letters of recommendation.
Faculty members may choose to conduct face-to-face or telephone interviews before accepting an applicant into their research program.
Application Deadlines
| Materials Science and Engineering PhD | *Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Domestic Applicants | Jan 15 | Jul 1 | Dec 1 | |
| International Applicants | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Jul 1 | |
*Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date.
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
Students entering the Materials Science and Engineering PhD program with a bachelor's degree are required to complete 72 credit hours of graduate coursework, of which 27 hours must be formal coursework, 12 credit hours must be elective courses taken at UCF and a minimum of 15 dissertation credit hours.
Students entering the Materials Science and Engineering PhD program with a master's degree are required to complete 72 credit hours of graduate coursework including up to 30 hours of credit transfer for formal courses from their master's degree. These students have to take at least 12 credit hours of formal elective courses as listed below at UCF and 27 credit hours of formal graduate coursework in total.
The rest of the hours in the PhD program can be chosen by the student in consultation with the adviser and the dissertation committee and with the approval of the program director.
Equipment FeeFull-time students in the Materials Science and Engineering PhD program pay $17 per semester for equipment each semester that they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $8.50 per semester.
