Materials Design and Innovation PhD

The Materials Design and Innovation PhD program blends traditional materials science with modern statistical analysis, database interpretation, and data mining techniques. In addition to the fundamental materials science subjects, the program offers unique courses in materials informatics, advanced computing methods, machine learning, robotics for materials engineering, and an integrated experimental development laboratory that spans from atomic-level research to device creation.

PhD students in this program will also have the opportunity to engage with UB’s Computational Data-enabled Science and Engineering graduate program. This collaboration provides comprehensive training in computational data science, benefiting both experimental and computational materials scientists.

Curriculum

The PhD degree in Materials Design and Innovation requires the following:

Successful completion of the core course requirements, a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, and a project as per the MS degree
Passing of a PhD comprehensive exam based on the core graduate courses in MDI
Completion of 9 additional credits based three advanced level courses in MDI or related discipline
Completion of PhD thesis

Total Credit Hours: 72

3.0 Degree GPA required

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

1) Students will have in-depth knowledge in the areas of materials and data sciences, as well as well as the knowledge needed to integrate these fields.

2) Students will have the critical thinking skills to define a research question and an appropriate strategy for developing a viable research proposal.

3) Students will learn how to identify a materials science problem, either computational or experimental, and how an interdisciplinary approach that includes data analytics can find a solution to that problem.

4) Students will develop familiarity with the interrelationship between experimental and computational perspectives of any given research problem in materials science.

5) Students will have the ability to learn to clearly write and verbally present advanced scientific concepts.

6) Students will have an understanding of the broad skills needed to advance their careers and some proficiencies in those skill-sets.

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Materials Design and Innovation PhD

Curriculum

Required Core (33-36 credits)

Elective Courses (6 credits)

Culminating Experience (30-33 credits)

Total Credit Hours: 72

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

SED Statement