Kent State University Materials Science Graduate Program Student Handbook Rev. June/2020 Contents 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 2 3. Programs Learning Outcomes .............................................................................................................. 2 4. Graduate Program Contact Information ............................................................................................. 3 5. Application Procedure .......................................................................................................................... 3 5.1 Application Deadline ........................................................................................................................... 3 5.2 Application Requirement .................................................................................................................... 4 6. Admission Process ................................................................................................................................ 4 6.1 Admission Decision Timeline .............................................................................................................. 5 7. Financial Support .................................................................................................................................. 5 8. Taxes on Stipend .................................................................................................................................. 6 9. Course and Credit Information and Requirements ............................................................................. 6 9.1 M.S. degree in Materials Science ........................................................................................................ 7 9.2 Ph.D. degree in Materials Science ...................................................................................................... 7 9.3 Candidacy exam .................................................................................................................................. 7 9.4 Dissertation ......................................................................................................................................... 9 10. Timetable ............................................................................................................................................ 9 11. Academic Advisors ........................................................................................................................... 10 12. Student Academic Complaint Committee (SACC) ........................................................................... 10 13. Information for New Students ......................................................................................................... 10 14. Information for International Students ........................................................................................... 11 15. Helpful Links to the Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute: ........................................ 11 1 1. Introduction Previously known as Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, the Materials Science Graduate Program (MSP) at Kent State University offers a unique education focusing on physics and chemistry of soft condensed matter. Leading to Master of Science and/or Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The program emphasizes both fundamental and applied interdisciplinary training at the interface between soft matters and advanced bio-, nano- and mesostructured materials. The graduate program offers students the opportunity to conduct research under the guidance of members of the Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute (AMLCI) of Kent State University. Previously, known as the Liquid Crystal Institute (LCI), founded in 1965 by Glenn H. Brown, the Institute was the world’s first research center specializing in the basic and applied science of liquid crystals. One goal of such research is to discover novel liquid crystal materials and develop techniques to control their phase behavior, microstructure and electro-optic response, for instance to advance the state-of-the-art in information display. New and emerging application areas include advanced photonics, sensors, biomaterials, bio- and medical applications, and smart/responsive materials. The Materials Science Graduate Program is designed for students from a broad range of undergraduate majors including physics, chemistry (synthetic and physical), materials science, chemical engineering, polymer engineering, and biology. The curriculum includes courses ranging from theory and modeling of liquid crystals to experimental physics, materials synthesis and characterization, to nano- and biomaterial applications of soft condensed matter. An important aspect of the curriculum is flexibility in course work and evolving course content that keeps pace with new research challenges and societal needs. Core courses are accessible to a multidisciplinary audience, at the graduate level, and will prepare students to pursue research in soft matter and other closely related disciplines. Materials Science alumni from the last twenty-five years have undertaken exciting careers in industrial research and development, in national labs, and in academia. 3. Programs Learning Outcomes Graduates of this program will be able to: 1. Gain an advanced understanding of the fundamental science of Soft Matter and Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystals, and the ability to apply acquired knowledge of physical and chemical properties of soft materials to understand utilize novel phenomena at the interface with liquid crystals. 2. Gain experience in presenting scientific data in research publications, posters and oral presentations. 2 3. Learn to apply acquired knowledge to device development based on new advanced materials at the interface of liquid crystals. 4. Graduate Program Contact Information For more information, or if you would like to arrange a visit to the Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, please contact the Director of Materials Science Graduate Program. Antal Jákli, Ph.D. Professor of Physics Director of Materials Science Graduate Program Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute Kent State University Kent, OH 44242, USA Email: [email protected] 5. Application Procedure The Kent State Division of Graduate Studies oversees admissions for all graduate programs. • Applicants who are US citizens or permanent residents should use the application link here to apply for admission to our Materials Science Graduate Program. • International applicants should use the international application link here to apply for admission to our Materials Science Graduate Program. If you have questions about how to complete the application, you can request assistance via email to [email protected]. The Office of Global Education can provide assistance to international applicants and can be reached via email at [email protected]. New students should apply for fall semester admission, since the Materials Science Graduate Program starts only in the fall semester of each academic year. 5.1 Application Deadline The application deadline for initial fall semester enrollment is January 31st for the Ph.D. and April 15th for Master of Science Degree tracks. The admissions committee begins reviewing completed applications in February. Applications that arrive before the deadline will receive full consideration for admission and financial support. The application process remains formally open until the incoming class is full; applications arriving after the deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 3 5.2 Application Requirement For full consideration, an applicant is required to submit the following documents. (1) A completed graduate application for admission (using the links above.) (2) Official transcripts of academic work and degree certificates from each college or university attended. (3) Minimum GPA 3.0 on a point scale of 4.0. (4) A goal/purpose statement. (5) Two letters of recommendation. (6) International applicants whose education has been primarily outside the United States must provide evidence of proficiency in the English language. Exceptions are described here. Kent State accepts several different English Language Proficiency tests. The required scores for admission are the following: • Internet based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 71 • Paper based TOEFL: 525 • Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB): 74 • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.0 Results that are more than 2 years old are not acceptable. (7) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and subject based GRE (in Physics or Chemistry) are not required but are strongly recommended. (8) Application fee. Submission of all materials by the application deadline is strongly encouraged. The sooner a file is completed, the sooner a formal decision can be made. Applicants may upload 'unofficial' copies of their GRE and TOEFL test scores through the online application system. These will be used for internal departmental evaluation for admission. However, the Graduate Studies office requires that 'official' TOEFL results reach us from the testing agency before any admission offer can be extended. Kent State’s institution code for reporting GRE and TOEFL scores is 1367. 6. Admission Process When the online application is complete, the applicant will receive notification via e-mail. Applicants can view the