Materials science is an interdisciplinary field also referred to as Materials Science and Engineering. Materials science is a highly active area of research that covers a broad range of topics from nanomaterials, and biomaterials to computational materials science. It incorporates the elements of physics, chemistry, and engineering to design and discover the new materials, their structural analysis, and their applications to various industries.
Ph.D. in Materials Science is a graduate degree that prepares professionals for taking on emerging topics in the design and use of materials for energy application, nanotechnology, electronic materials, soft materials, biomaterials, computational materials science, and advanced materials design and processing. A graduate program in material sciences combines in-depth knowledge of the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of materials with training in production techniques and the selection of appropriate materials for a wide range of applications. During Ph.D., graduates design a new material and learn how materials behave and their properties change during the process of raw materials becoming designed products. The right materials help to drive product innovation in all industries from aircraft, robotics, global healthcare medical equipment, and gadgets, to musical instruments and environmentally friendly technologies.
The Ph.D. program in Materials Science has the following major objectives:
Educating and training graduates to solve the biggest global challenges in Materials Science and Engineering.
Endow graduates with advanced research skill sets focused on materials design, processing, characterization, and technological deployment.
Prepare graduates to be leaders in their careers in academia, research, government, and industry.
A Ph.D. in Materials Science is offered at numerous educational institutions worldwide. To name a few best institutes that run a Ph.D. program in Materials Science are MIT, the University of California, the University of Cambridge, Stanford University, and Northwestern University. The Ph.D. graduate student in Materials Science has a next level of confidence compared to Bachelors's and Masters's Students. It is possible to perform research without Ph.D. but in the world of research, no one will take someone seriously unless he/she has a Ph.D. degree. One may get a research position without a Ph.D. as national laboratories, company laboratories, and universities all need technicians and research assistants. However, the research lead will always be a Ph.D. holder. A graduate in materials science do well not only in professional life but also in personal life. The average salary of a materials scientist with a Ph.D. degree is about 108k USD.[1]
The learning outcomes of the graduates in Materials Science are as follows:[2]
Demonstrate expertise and understanding of the core physical science and engineering fields;
Identify problems in the field of materials science and engineering, design sound experimental or theoretical methods to address these problems, and perform the corresponding research to solve these problems;
Clearly and effectively communicate, both written and orally, their scientific activities to their peers and the general public;
Engage effectively with the scientific community through professional participation in conferences, meetings, and workshops;
Understand careers in materials science and engineering, including researchers, materials scientists, metallurgists, analysts, and research and development experts;
Understand the importance of safe laboratory practices as well as the ethical and social responsibilities of scientists.
There are a few disadvantages of doing a Ph.D. in materials science as well. Materials Science is a niche field much smaller than another engineering; it can be difficult to land a job. Another possible disadvantage is lack of recognition. As a smaller field, fewer people will have heard of it and one will often have to explain to others what materials science is all about. Materials Science is not monolithic. Metallurgy, Plastics, ceramics, glass science, and paper science are just some of the sub-fields within materials science that can often be quite different from one another. As a materials scientist, it can be difficult to acquire the knowledge base required to solve problems concerning a variety of materials.[3]
Final Thoughts: You should consider doing a Ph.D. in materials science if you want to be challenged as intensely as possible. The rewards for having a Ph.D. can vary significantly, but it will improve your prestige. If you are inquisitive, love research, and are willing to work long hours, you will have a good Ph.D. learning experience.[4]
[1]https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Doctorate_(PhD)%2C_Materials_Science_%26_Engineering/Salary [2]https://gradschool.wsu.edu/degrees/factsheet/doctor-of-philosophy-materials-science/ [3]https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-disadvantages-of-becoming-a-material-scientist [4] https://msestudent.com/phd-in-materials-science-is-it-worth-doing/
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