Program Structure and Requirements
Overall Program Structure
The MSc MSEN consists of a minimum 30 credit hours, distributed as follows: 12 credit hours of Program Core courses, 9 credit hours of Elective courses, 9 credit hours of Master’s Thesis and a zero credit Research Methods course. The components of the program are summarized in the table below.
| Program Component |
Credit Hours |
| Seminar in Research Methods |
0 |
| Program Core |
12 |
| Program Electives |
9 |
| Master’s Thesis |
9 |
| Total |
30 |
Program Requirements
Students seeking the degree of MSc in Materials Science and Engineering must successfully complete a minimum 30 credit hours as specified in the program requirements detailed below, with a minimum CGPA of 3.0. Course selection should be made in consultation with the student’s Main Advisor. All courses have a credit rating of three credits each, except the Seminar in Research Methods and the Master’s Thesis.
Program Core (12 credit hours)
Students must complete the core courses listed below.
Core Courses
| ENGR 695 | Seminar in Research Methods | 0 |
| MEEN 630 | Advanced Engineering Mathematics | 3 |
| MSEN 607 | Thermodynamics of Materials | 3 |
| MSEN 608 | Kinetics of Materials | 3 |
| MSEN 623 | Electrical, Optical and Magnetic Properties of Crystalline Materials | 3 |
Program Electives and Concentrations (9 credit hours)
Students must select three courses from the list below. Subject to approval of the Main Advisor, students can select up to two elective courses (6 credit hours) from other MSc programs in the College of Engineering at KU.
Program Elective Courses
| MSEN 605 | Structure and Properties of Polymers | 3 |
| MSEN 606 | Materials Processing and Manufacturing Technologies | 3 |
| MSEN 611 | Photovoltaic Technologies: Materials, Devices and Systems | 3 |
| MSEN 612 | Physics for Solid-State Application | 3 |
| MSEN 619 | Crystallography and Diffraction | 3 |
| MSEN 621 | Mechanical Properties of Materials | 3 |
| MSEN 622 | Electrical, Optical and Magnetic Properties of Amorphous Materials | 3 |
| MSEN 624 | Thermal Properties of Materials | 3 |
| MSEN 694 | Selected Topics in Material Science and Engineering | 3 |
Concentration in Space Systems and Technology
The program offers an optional concentration in Space Systems and Technology. Students choosing this concentration are expected to attain the following concentration specific learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate proficiency in space systems analysis and design.
- Acquire skills in advanced satellite development, assembly, integration and testing.
In addition to program specific core courses, students who opt for the concentration in Space Systems and Technology must complete a minimum of three courses (9 credit hours) from the list below and a thesis within the domain of the concentration. The concentration will be specified on the student’s official transcript. (AERO 650, AERO 651, and AERO 652: Indicates required courses for the concentration).
Concentration Courses
Master’s Thesis (minimum 9 credit hours)
Students must complete a Master’s Thesis that involves creative, research-oriented work within the broad field of MSEN, under the direct supervision of a full-time faculty advisor from the Mechanical Engineering Department, and at least one other full-time faculty who acts as a co-advisor. The outcome of research should demonstrate the synthesis of information into knowledge in a form that may be used by others. The research findings must be documented in a formal thesis and defended successfully in a viva voce examination. Furthermore, the research should lead to publishable quality scholarly articles.
Thesis