Materials Engineering

Admission Requirements Degree Requirements

Mailing Address:
Department of Civil and Materials Engineering (MC 246)
842 West Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60607-7023

Campus Location: 2095 ERF
Program Codes: 20FS1434MS (MS); 20FS1434PHD (PhD)
Telephone: (312) 996-3428
E-mail: cmegrad@uic.edu
Web Site: http://www.uic.edu/depts/cme/cme.html
Head of the Department: Farhad Ansari
Director of Graduate Studies: Ernesto Indacochea

The Department of Civil and Materials Engineering (CME) offers programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Materials Engineering. Study and research is available in the areas of ceramics, polymers, electronic materials, composites, welding and joining, solidification, corrosion, tribology, and processing. The department also offers programs leading to degrees in Civil Engineering at both the master’s and doctoral levels. Consult the appropriate sections of the catalog for more information. Updated information about the faculty, staff, curriculum, and courses is found on the CME home page http://www.uic.edu/depts/cme/cme.html.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are considered on an individual basis. Complete transcripts for all undergraduate and any graduate work must be submitted. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy

  • Baccalaureate Field Engineering or a related field.
  • Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study.
  • Tests Required GRE General (score 1100 minimum).
  • Minimum English Competency Test Score
    • TOEFL 550 (paper-based); 213 (computer-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), OR,
    • IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores.
  • Letters of Recommendation Three required for PhD applicants.
  • Personal Statement Required for PhD applicants.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

Master of Science

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required 36.
  • Course Work At least 24 hours must be in courses chosen from major courses listed on the department Web page. At least 12 hours must be at the 500-level, and at least 8 hours must be in 500-level didactic courses in the department, excluding CME 596 and CME 598.
  • Comprehensive Examination None.
  • Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Thesis required. No other options are available.
  • Thesis: No more than 12 hours of CME 598 can be applied to the degree.

Doctor of Philosophy

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required 108 from the baccalaureate.
  • Course Work Required Courses: Minimum requirement of 56 hours of course work postbaccalaureate (not including CME 599).
  • Specific Course Requirements: At least 28 hours must be at the 500-level, of which 16 hours must be in the department (excluding CME 596 and 599).
  • Credit for MS Degree: Those having an MS degree from an accredited institution may be awarded 32 hours of credit towards the PhD degree requirement (with 12 hours towards the 28-hour 500-level requirement).
  • Examinations Departmental Qualifying Exam: Required.
  • Preliminary Examination: Required.
  • Dissertation Required. Students must earn at least 52 semester hours in CME 599.
  • Other Requirements Students must be registered during the semester of intended graduation.