Macromolecular Science, MS
Degree: Master of Science (MS)
Field of Study: Macromolecular Science
Program Overview
Courses leading to the Master of Science (MS) degree in Macromolecular Science are offered within the Case School of Engineering. They are designed to increase the student’s knowledge of macromolecular science and of their own basic area of scientific interest, with application to specific polymer research problems. Research programs derive particular benefit from close cooperation with graduate programs in chemistry, physics, materials science, chemical engineering, biological sciences, and other engineering areas. The interdisciplinary academic structure allows the faculty to fit the individual program to the student’s background and career plans. Basic and advanced courses are offered in polymer synthesis, physical chemistry, physics, biopolymers, and applied polymer science and engineering. A laboratory course in polymer characterization instructs students in the use of modern experimental techniques and equipment. Graduate students are also encouraged to take advanced course work in polymer solid state physics, physical chemistry, synthesis, rheology, and polymer processing.
Graduate Program Rules
Graduates entering the Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering are subject to the academic rules of the University, of the School of Engineering, and of the Department. Consult the Graduate Student Handbook.
A short abstract of important points include:
- GPA requirements are described below in the Departmental Rules.
- A student receiving a “U” in a course is automatically placed on probation and must remove themselves from probation within one year (usually by repeating the course). If a course is repeated, both original and revised grades will count in the grade point average.
- Some students are admitted on a probationary basis and must achieve a 3.0 GPA after two semesters to remain in good standing (this is a rule of the Engineering School).
- Students entering the graduate program for a PhD will need to fill out the Academic Program by the end of their second semester.
- All students are required to serve as teaching assistants. Responsibilities as a TA include serving as an instructor, lab assistant, recitation leader, grader, or tutor in an undergraduate course. After fulfilling the required teaching assistant program, UNIV 400, students will make sure that three teaching courses (400T, 500T, and 600T) are listed on their Academic Program. Completion of this teaching requirement will be monitored by Graduate Studies and is required in order to graduate.
Engineering School Rules
Most of these rules are incorporated in the number and type of courses required by the Department. However, Case School of Engineering PhD students are required to:
- Maintain full-time status as a PhD bound student;
- Maintain a grade point average of 3.2 or above; and
- Continue making satisfactory academic progress as certified by their advisor.
Departmental Rules
- The GPA requirement established by the university at various stages of the graduate program shall exclude MS thesis credits which will be graded “S” or “U” until a final grade is given at the end of the program. Hence a student must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in coursework.
- Thesis-Focused Track MS students must give a departmental seminar (as part of the student lecture series).
- Project-Focused Track MS degrees are limited to non-fellowship students.
- Coursework may be transferred from another university, subject to Graduate Committee approval if:
- the courses duplicate requirements of the department;
- the courses were in excess of the undergraduate degree requirements; or
- the courses were taken in a graduate program elsewhere;
- a grade of B or better was achieved in those courses;
- a petition is made to and approved by the Graduate Committee of the Department
- the transferred grades will not count in the GPA at CWRU
- The Department reserves the right to withhold financial support to a student if that student takes an undue amount of time in completing their MS requirements (normally no longer than 3 years for MS).
- It is expected that all students will present the results of their research in a Departmental Seminar. Attendance and registration for the EMAC 677 seminars are also mandatory.
- The department requires the equivalent of six credit hours of departmental assistance. This requirement takes the form of grading, laboratory assistance and/or general departmental duties and is designed to utilize no more than three hours/week of a student’s time. The departmental service requirement must be completed within the first two semesters of study. However, the departmental service requirement form must be turned in at the end of each semester until the obligation is met.
- Vacation Policy. Graduate students in the department who receive fellowship support for 12 months are normally entitled to two weeks vacation plus national holidays. Alternative arrangements may be made with the student’s advisor, giving ample advance notice. In certain situations, it is possible to take a leave of absence without financial support.
- Prior to graduation, a student is required to clean out their laboratory space including removal of waste solvents and hazardous material.
- Failure to comply with all of the above course requirements may result in termination or delay in graduation.
Graduate Policies
For graduate policies and procedures, please review the School of Graduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.
Program Requirements
Master’s Thesis-Focused Track
The minimum requirement to complete a master’s degree under the Thesis-Focused Track is 30 credit hours. Of the 30 credit hours, at least 18 credit hours must be coursework, and 9 credit hours must be EMAC 651 At least 18 credit hours of coursework, including thesis, must be at the 400-level or higher.
All Thesis-Focused MS students must take 6 credit hours of departmental fundamentals courses including the lab component. Please note: Once a student begins registration of EMAC 651, the student must register for at least one credit hour of this course every semester until graduation. The normal residency period for an MS degree is 2 years.
MS students will generally be required to take the following core courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EMAC 401 | Polymer Foundation Course I: Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| EMAC 402 | Polymer Foundation Course II: Physical Chemistry | 3 |
| EMAC 403 | Polymer Foundation Course III: Physics | 3 |
| EMAC 404 | Polymer Foundation Course IV: Engineering | 3 |
Plus an additional 6 credit hours of coursework for Thesis-Focused courses to be approved by their advisor.
For completion of a master’s degree in the Thesis-Focused Track, an oral examination (defense) of the master’s thesis is required. The examination is conducted by a committee of three university faculty members. The candidate’s thesis advisor usually serves as the chair of the examining committee. The chair of the department or the curricular program faculty appoints members of the committee. The examining committee must agree unanimously that the candidate has passed the thesis examination.
Master’s Project-Focused Track
The master's Project-Focused Track requirements include a research report and oral examination to be completed before graduation. This option requires 30 total credit hours; categorized by the following:
- 3-6 credit hours need to be project credit (independent study) which needs to be approved by advisor
- 21-24 credit hours (of which 9 credit hours must be based in Macromolecular Science); and
- 6 core credit hours
Each candidate for the master’s degree under the Project-Focused Track must satisfactorily pass a comprehensive examination, which is administered by the department or curricular program committee. The examination may be written or oral or both. A student must be registered during the semester in which any part of the comprehensive examination is taken. If not registered for other courses, the student will be required to register for one credit hour of EXAM 600, before taking the examination.
MS students will generally be required to take the following core courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EMAC 401 | Polymer Foundation Course I: Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| EMAC 402 | Polymer Foundation Course II: Physical Chemistry | 3 |
| EMAC 403 | Polymer Foundation Course III: Physics | 3 |
| EMAC 404 | Polymer Foundation Course IV: Engineering | 3 |
Plus an additional 15 credit hours of coursework for Project-Focused courses to be approved by their advisor.
Master's Course-Focused Track
The Course-Focused MS degree program requirements consist of the completion of 30 credit hours of approved coursework at the 400-level or higher, satisfactory completion of the culminating course-focused experience, i.e. passing the course ENGR 600 with requirements defined by the student's curricular program, and additional requirements as specified by the program. Students should consult with their academic advisor and/or department to determine the detailed requirements within this framework.