The Doctor of Philosophy degree represents the attainment of a high level of scholarship and achievement in independent research that culminates in the completion of a dissertation of original scientific merit. Hence, it cannot be prescribed in terms of a fixed semester credit hour requirement.

Generally, the degree consists of 72 semester credit hours beyond a bachelor’s degree and 42 hours beyond the master’s degree. Of these credit hours, 12 semester credit hours are allocated for the dissertation (after a bachelor’s degree) and 9 semester credit hours are allocated for the dissertation (after a prior master’s degree).

It is expected that the candidate will have published at least one original research article in a refereed journal prior to graduation.

Admission to the doctoral program

Departmental admission to doctoral candidacy in materials science requires a satisfactory score on the written and oral sections of the qualifying examination (see “Examinations” section below). Contact the Toulouse Graduate School or the program for current admission requirements, or see information posted on the graduate school web site at graduateschool.unt.edu.

Approximately a year after the candidate is admitted to candidacy, the student is examined on the chosen area of specialization: metallic, ceramic, polymer or electronic materials (see “Examinations” section below for details).

Enrollment in MTSE 6950  is not allowed until the student has been admitted to candidacy and has successfully passed the examination on the chosen specialization.

Examinations

1. A written qualifying examination consisting of a “general exam” that tests core MTSE concepts and a “specialty exam” in one of the following areas: electronic materials, ceramics, metals, polymers or mechanics and energy systems.
2. After passing the written exam, students are required to complete and defend an original research proposal that, if executed, would lead to a PhD dissertation.
3. Upon passing the written and oral examination by the examination committee, the applicant is admitted to candidacy.
4. A comprehensive oral exam related to the area of specialization of the student (metallic, ceramic, polymer or electronic materials), not to be confused with the student’s PhD dissertation defense, is taken by doctoral candidates approximately one year after they have completed the oral and written qualifying exam.
5. Details of the examination schedule, expectations and criteria for successful completion are available in the Materials Science Graduate Student Handbook available in the department office and posted to the department web site.

Final examination

This oral examination is primarily a defense of the dissertation, which must be submitted in final form to the final examination committee at least seven days prior to the scheduled oral examination.

Seminar in current topics

All doctoral students are expected to attend MTSE 5700  during each term/semester of full-time graduate study. A seminar based on the student’s dissertation research must be given during the regularly scheduled class time prior to and in addition to the formal defense of the dissertation.