Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science and Engineering

Penn State's Intercollege Graduate Degree Program (IGDP) in Materials Science and Engineering offers Ph.D. students one-on-one mentorship by professors from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and many other departments in the College of Engineering and Eberly College of Science. Currently, more than 80 faculty members advise more than 180 Ph.D. students. Doctoral students hold prior degrees in materials science and engineering, metallurgy, ceramics, polymers, physics, chemistry, engineering science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or other STEM fields. Students have the opportunity to pursue core coursework offered by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering as well as many elective courses offered by various departments across campus. Students also benefit from outstanding user facilities run by the Materials Research Institute and in other specialized laboratories.

To apply for admission to the Intercollege Graduate Degree Program (IGDP) in Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE), please submit letters of reference, your resume, supplemental material (e.g. research papers) via the graduate application website: Graduate School Online Application (Penn State no longer accepts mailed paper applications). Scores for the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) are optional, not required for admission. As part of the online application process, applicants are required to electronically upload copies of transcripts (or equivalent documents for institutions outside the U.S., e.g., degree/study certificates, diplomas, etc.) from all post-secondary institutions attended, in the language of instruction (and copies of an official English translation if English is not the language of instruction). Applicants with baccalaureate degrees in the physical sciences and engineering with a Junior/Senior grade point average of 3.3/4.0 or higher will be considered for admission.
International applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the Internet-based test (iBT). Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 18 may be considered for provisaaional admission, enrollment, and, if necessary, remedial course work. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. Revised TOEFL PBT July 2017 and later 60