Materials Science at UW-Madison
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Society's demand for a rapid and diverse succession of new, specialized materials has resulted in a concentrated, systematic approach to materials research and education. In the past, specialized materials were developed through a trial-and-error process. Today, the tools and expertise of scientists are being combined with those of engineers, resulting in productive cooperation in both applied and theoretical areas.
Our search for new materials and the need to make better use of old ones continues to broaden the field of materials science. The ability to create the next generation of advanced materials--polymers, ceramics, metals, semiconductors or superconductors--and advanced devices--such as lasers, micromotors, or artificial limbs--requires the control of materials and interfaces with atomic to macroscopic level understanding. This is the domain of materials science.
Materials Science at UW-Madison is nationally recognized and is committed to providing leadership in research, education and outreach services. Graduate studies in Materials Science at UW-Madison can follow either of two paths: one leading to the MS and PhD degrees in Materials Science, the other leading to degrees in Metallurgical Engineering. The former is administered by the Materials Science Program, while the latter resides with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
Students entering graduate studies with degrees in metallurgy or mechanical engineering typically pursue the Metallurgical Engineering degree in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. They tend to be more engineering oriented than those choosing Materials Science. Students entering the Materials Science Program generally have undergraduate degrees in physics, chemistry, materials science, electrical or chemical engineering. Such students are often more interested in materials properties that span both traditional engineering and scientific disciplines.
Professor Susan Babcock and Research Assistant Na Zhang use a high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscope to detect composition variations in the superconducting compound YBA2Cu3O7-x.
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The Materials Science Program provides excellent opportunities for interdisciplinary research through its faculty advisory committee made up of about 35 faculty from departments throughout the UW-Madison campus. Represented in the MSP are virtually all of the engineering departments, and the departments of chemistry, physics, geology, and soil science. Most of the faculty in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering are also members of the Materials Science Program.
The Metallurgical Engineering degree program is more focused toward materials processing and is directed by faculty in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Graduate students select their thesis research topics based on materials and interfaces that involve polymers, superconductors, semiconductors, advanced metals, composites, biomaterials, or ceramics.
Recent materials science research results that have had national impact include preparation of the first micron-sized metal gears, major advances in X-ray lithography that can be exploited in the design of microelectronic devices, and experiments that have revealed the nature of "weak links" in high-temperature superconductors. Individual faculty research programs are described in the Materials Science and Engineering and Materials Science Program Faculty sections.
The Materials Science Center has state-of-the-art electron microscopes, X-ray diffractometers, and surface analysis equipment, available for hands-on use by materials science students. Augmenting the center's capabilities is an impressive array of dedicated campus facilities, including the Synchrotron Radiation Center, the Wisconsin Center for Applied Microelectronics, and the Applied Superconductivity Center. Kurt F. Wendt Library houses a comprehensive collection of reference material in engineering and the physical sciences. It is located near Union South, a student center with a snack bar, cafeteria, and social, game, and activity areas.
A weekly seminar program provides students with an opportunity to hear and meet outstanding materials scientists and engineers from around the world.
Research assistantships generally are available to qualified applicants. Opportunities to obtain teaching assistantships are available, and industrial experience can be acquired through a co-op program. Exceptionally well-qualified applicants are eligible for graduate fellowships.
Admission to either degree program is handled through a single Materials Science admissions committee.
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Materials Science Program
Tel: 608/263-9462
Fax: 608/262-8353
Email: msaedept@engr.wisc.edu
