Program Overview at a Glance

Program Metric	Details
Degrees Offered	Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Materials Science and Engineering (MMSE), Master of Nanoengineering (MNAE), Master of Wide Bandgap Semiconductors (WBGS)
Interdisciplinary Focus	Committees may include faculty across MSE, Physics, Chemistry, and other technical fields
POW Submission Deadline	End of the second semester for all degree candidates
Full-Time Status Requirement	9+ credit hours per semester (Fall/Spring) to maintain GSSP and visa eligibility

Developing Your Program

The academic program for each student is developed in close conjunction with their advisor and advisory committee.

• Cross-Disciplinary Integration: Advisory committees may include faculty from Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and other areas of science and engineering.
• Interdisciplinary Learning: Students are strongly encouraged to cross disciplinary boundaries as part of their academic plan of study, research activities and participation in seminars and meetings.

Degrees Offered and Coursework Requirements

1. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

72 Credit Hours minimum (graded coursework + thesis research) + Dissertation:

• 27 Credit Hours minimum of graduate coursework, comprising:
  • 18 credit hours in MSE 700-level graduate courses
  • 9 credit hours in 500- or 700-level courses in MSE or other technical disciplines
• Remaining Credit Hours in thesis research (MSE 895)
• Note: Additional coursework should be taken as appropriate for the student’s research program.

2. Master of Science (M.S.)

30 Credit Hours (Thesis degree):

• 15 credit hours in MSE graduate courses
• 9 credit hours in any graduate courses in technical disciplines
• 6 credit hours in thesis research (MSE 695)
• Note: Summer dissertation research (MSE 696) does not count toward the credit hour requirement. Requires a thesis defense examination.

3. Master of Materials Science and Engineering (MMSE)

30 Credit Hours (Non-thesis / Course-only degree):

• Format: Available to on-campus students and distance education students via the Engineering Online (EOL) program.
• Admission Criteria: Requires a B.S. degree in materials science and engineering or a related field, with a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0.

4. Master of Nanoengineering (MNAE)

30 Credit Hours (Non-thesis degree):

• 12 credit hours in core courses
• 12 credit hours minimum in an area (or areas) of specialization
• 6 credit hours in technical electives
• Concentrations Available: Materials Science, Nanoelectronics & Nanophotonics, and Biomedical Sciences in Nanoengineering.
• Format: Offered to on-campus students and distance education students via Engineering Online (EOL). No thesis or final oral exam required.

5. Master of Wide Bandgap Semiconductors (WBGS)

30 Credit Hours (Non-thesis professional master’s degree):

• Format: Hybrid curriculum combining online coursework with immersive, hands-on on-campus practicum experiences in semiconductor manufacturing and applications engineering.
• Curriculum Focus: Applied study spanning semiconductor materials, device fabrication, characterization, and power electronics.
• Admissions & Entry: Requires a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, materials science, physics, or a related discipline (prior semiconductor experience is not required). Program begins Fall 2026.

Plan of Work (POW) and Advisory Committees

All candidates must submit an official Plan of Work (POW) no later than the end of their second semester.

• Ph.D. and Thesis M.S. Students: Must assemble a full committee of faculty members and designate a primary advisor (Committee Chair).
• Non-Thesis Students (MMSE, MNAE, WBGS): Require only a faculty advisor/chairman (no additional committee members required).
• Support and Approval: Consult the Director of Graduate Programs (DGP) for details and official POW approval.

Required Examination Sequence (Ph.D. Candidates)

1. Qualifying Examination (QE)
   • Scope: Required for all Ph.D. candidates to satisfy the written component of the Preliminary Examination. Based on a written research proposal, an oral defense of the proposal, and an evaluation testing basic MSE principles.
   • Deadline: Must be passed by the end of the fifth semester to remain a Ph.D. candidate,
2. Preliminary Oral Examination
   • Scope: Assesses research progress and readiness for dissertation completion. Must be taken within three semesters after passing the QE (refer to the NC State Graduate Student Handbook and MSE guidelines).
3. Final Doctoral Oral Examination
   • Scope: The formal oral defense of the doctoral dissertation. Guidelines are maintained on the Graduate School website.

Assistantships, GSSP and Student Status

Graduate students receiving research or teaching assistantships have their tuition covered under the Graduate Student Support Plan (GSSP).

• Full-Time Status Requirement: Students must maintain full-time enrollment (9 or more credit hours for Fall/Spring semesters) to remain eligible for GSSP and maintain legal visa status for international students.
• Course Adjustments: Dropping below 9 credit hours during the semester can lead to immediate loss of GSSP funding and visa eligibility.
• DGP Approval Required: Course drop/add execution must be pre-approved by the Director of Graduate Programs (DGP) and completed before the official term deadline.