Materials Science, Ph.D.

Why Study Materials Science, Ph.D. at Montana Tech?  

The interdisciplinary program provides students access to faculty in resources of the participating STEM departments, which enables the students to attain depth in the specialized discipline of their choice. Ranked #1 among the best engineering schools in the nation by Best Value Schools, Montana Tech boasts a 100% career outcome rate. You’ll benefit from an extraordinary hands-on learning environment. More than 30 materials-oriented graduate courses are available. 

State-of-the-Art Labs and Equipment 

Our labs help materials science and engineering graduate students conduct research that makes an impact. Use state-of-the-art analytical, laboratory, and field equipment. You’ll have access to instruments in for your materials sciences research and opportunities to work one-on-one with faculty. 

Outstanding Location  

While earning your graduate degree in materials science and engineering, you’ll also have countless opportunities to enjoy Montana’s great outdoors both in and around Butte as well as across the state. Butte boasts access to several ski hills, hot springs and a plethora of camping, hiking, road and biking locations. 

Flagship partnership  

Montana Technological University participates in the Materials Science Ph.D. program with Montana State University. The collaborative program pools the resources of three campuses, including multiple departments, faculty, courses, and research infrastructure. Core courses are coordinated and shared by the three campuses, to give the advantage of online instruction. 

Admissions Requirements  

Students with a bachelor’s degree (minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA) or a master’s degree in a STEM discipline are encouraged to apply. 

To be eligible for admission to the Ph.D. program at Montana Tech, you must have earned a B.S. degree or equivalent in materials science, materials engineering, physics, chemistry, metallurgy, or a related science or engineering field. Your academic record must provide evidence of a strong background in the fundamentals of science and/or engineering principles. A student with such a background who has not passed certain undergraduate courses that are prerequisites for their required or elective graduate courses must remedy this gap as expeditiously as possible, either by taking the prerequisite undergraduate course or through independent study and credit by examination. 

If you wish to enter the Materials Science Ph.D. program, you must apply to and be admitted to the Ph.D. program as the transition is not automatic. 

Admissions Deadlines  

The MTSI Ph.D. program generally accepts new students only for the Fall Semester. Applicants should plan to submit a complete application package by January 1. Late applications may receive consideration in the event that funded graduate research assistantships are or become available prior to the beginning of the Fall semester. 

GRE Scores 

The application must include an officially verified Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. GRE scores of 158 quantitative, 158 verbal, and 4.0 analytical are representative of students previously accepted for the program. 

English Proficiency  

The minimum acceptable scores for international students are 90 for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and 7.0 for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). International students with an earned bachelor’s or master’s degree from an ABET-accredited U.S. college or university are not subject to this requirement. 

Tuition Waiver and Teaching Assistantships/Research Assistantships  

Admitted students receive a tuition waiver and a $26,400 per calendar year stipend. Upon entering the program, students will either be assigned a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) or a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA). GRAs are reserved for students who are engaged in funded graduate level research. In the event that no funded research opportunities exist, the student will be assigned a GTA and assigned to serve one of our science or engineering departments. Such students are expected to transition to a GRA no later than the start of their second year. 

Apply Now

What Does the Materials Science Ph.D. consist of?  

You obtain a broad and strong understanding of the theory, experimental techniques, current challenges, and socioeconomic impacts of materials science and engineering. You learn how materials derive their properties from the atomic to the macroscopic level and become familiar with the growing set of materials fabrication, assembly, processing and characterization tools and techniques. Through dissertation research, you will demonstrate your ability to conceive, conduct, analyze, and communicate original and creative research. Program requirements include the coursework, qualifying exam, candidacy exam, and dissertation. 

What Kinds of Jobs Do Material Science Ph.D. Graduates Get?  

A terminal degree in Materials Science and Engineering opens doors of opportunity for employment. Become an expert in your chosen field of study. Work or supervise in industry or pursue teaching or research positions in academia. You receive the highest level of training in our rigorous program.   

Explore classes in Materials Science Ph.D.  

Full-time students are expected to complete the 20-credit core curriculum and pass the qualifying examination in their first year. Each student must also earn at least 12 credits of electives within or related to the chosen specialty. 

Up to 24 semester-credits from a master’s degree may be accepted toward the minimum degree requirements. These credits must be applicable to the materials science curriculum, and their acceptance is subject to review. To ensure that students benefit from the collaborative, three-campus nature of the program, at least 9 credits must be earned from courses offered away from the home campus. No more than 9 credits may be from 400-level courses.