About This Program

The M.S. Materials Science program offers a comprehensive curriculum and cutting-edge research opportunities in materials science. With experienced faculty and access to state-of-the-art facilities, you'll be prepared for a successful career in this field. Read more...

Contact Information

• Program Director: Antal Jakli | msgpdirector@kent.edu | 330-672-3899
• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • Kent Campus
• Location:
  • In person

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• Two letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 525 TOEFL score
  • Minimum 71 TOEFL score
  • Minimum 74 MELAB score
  • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 50 PTE score
  • Minimum 100 Duolingo English score

Submission of GRE scores (general and subject test in physics or chemistry) is not required, but strongly recommended Admission will be granted by examination of the student's background on an individual basis. Students from a variety of undergraduate majors—such as physics, chemistry, engineering and materials science—are invited to apply.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Priority deadline: January 15
    Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Requirements
MTSC 62242	CHARACTERIZATION OF SOFT MATTER	3
MTSC 63000	PHYSICS OF SOFT MATTER	3
MTSC 63015	CHEMISTRY OF SOFT MATTER	3
MTSC 63020	APPLICATIONS OF SOFT MATTER	3
Approved Electives, choose from the following:		12
BSCI 50158	MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
BSCI 50220	BIOINFORMATICS
BSCI 51120	BIOLOGICAL LIGHT MICROSCOPY
CHEM 50352	INORGANIC MATERIALS CHEMISTRY
CHEM 50451	ORGANIC MATERIALS CHEMISTRY
CHEM 50478	SYNTHESIS OF ORGANIC LIQUID CRYSTALS
CHEM 50559	NANOMATERIALS
CHEM 50571	SURFACE CHEMISTRY
CHEM 60254	BIOMEMBRANES
CHEM 62691	SEMINAR: INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY
MTSC 60498	RESEARCH
MTSC 62241	STATISTICAL MECHANICS OF SOFT MATTER
MTSC 62249	LABVIEW FOR DATA ACQUISITION AND INSTRUMENT CONTROL
MTSC 62335	ADVANCED LIQUID CRYSTALLINE AND POLYMERIC MATERIALS
MTSC 62450	LIQUID CRYSTAL OPTICS I: THEORY
MTSC 62452	LIQUID CRYSTAL OPTICS II: OPTICAL SYSTEMS
MTSC 62460	LIQUID CRYSTAL MATERIALS SCIENCE
MTSC 62462	LIQUID CRYSTAL SCIENCE: PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
MTSC 62640	LIQUID CRYSTAL, POLYMER AND COLLOID COMPOSITES
MTSC 62643	ELECTRO-OPTICS OF LIQUID CRYSTALS: MODELING AND DEVICE DESIGN
MTSC 62647	STRUCTURED FLUIDS
MTSC 62650	COMPUTATIONAL MATERIALS SCIENCE
MTSC 62651	NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
MTSC 63010	LYOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTALS
MTSC 63025	ACTIVE MATTER
MTSC 63100	EMERGING DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES
MTSC 64491	SEMINAR: LIQUID CRYSTALS
MTSC 64495	SPECIAL TOPICS IN CHEMICAL PHYSICS
MTSC 65006	LIQUID CRYSTAL DEVICE PROTOTYPING
MTSC 65008	LIQUID CRYSTAL DEVICE CONSTRUCTION
MTSC 65032	SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION
PHY 66403	ADVANCED CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
PHY 68401	LIQUID CRYSTAL PHYSICS
Additional courses with advisor approval
Culminating Requirement
MTSC 60199	THESIS I 1	6
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		30

¹

Candidates selecting to complete the thesis will present and interpret results of original research that must be defended before a committee of the materials science graduate faculty. Upon approval of the thesis topic, the student is required to register continuously for MTSC 60199 each semester for a total of 6 credit hours. A student who has completed the required 6 credit hours of MTSC 60199 but has not finished the thesis is expected, thereafter, to register continuously for MTSC 60299 each semester until all degree requirements are met. No more than 6 credit hours of MTSC 60199 may be counted toward completion of degree requirements. Credit hours earned in MTSC 60299 do not, under any circumstances, count toward the degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Develop an advanced understanding of the fundamental science of soft materials and ability to apply acquired knowledge of physical and chemical properties of advanced soft materials and devices such as liquid crystals, polymers, colloids and active matter.
2. Gain experience in presenting scientific data in research publications, articles, posters and oral presentations.
3. Apply acquired knowledge to the development of new soft materials, new theories and effects and advanced materials such as liquid crystal-based devices.

Full Description

The Master of Science degree in Materials Science provides students with extensive scientific training, cutting-edge research opportunities and engineering skills necessary for a variety of careers in academy and industry. Program faculty and students conduct research through Kent State's participating departments and the Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute. Such research includes liquid crystal synthesis and molecular design; properties of liquid crystals and related advanced materials; lyotropic liquid crystals and bio-related materials; opto-electronics; and nanoscience and nanotechnologies. These important research foci are inherently interdisciplinary.