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Jeff LaCombe

My current and past activities in this area have involved the study and application of a range of solidification and crystal growth processes. I have a strong background particularly in the science and physics of dendritic solidification and pattern formation during crystal growth. read more »

GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Guidelines, Procedures, and Requirements

M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering

This department offers a Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering. The degree is conferred by the university upon recommendation by the department faculty and the Graduate Dean following the completion of an approved Program of Study. The Program of Study describes the student’s specific courses, research and related activities. The graduate student’s advisor, the graduate director of the program and the advisory/examining committee determine the Program of Study for each degree candidate. This includes the acceptable courses for completion of the degree. The Graduate Dean has final approval of the Program of Study. The official Program of Study form can be found on the Graduate School website. It is recommended that the student establish a Program of Study immediately upon arriving at the university. Subsequent changes may be made at any time via Change in Program of Study Form, but only with the approval of the major professor, Department Chair, advisory/examining committee and the Graduate Dean.

When a new graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering arrives, he/she may be assigned a temporary advisor. In general, new students should be able to select a general research area, full advisory committee, and thesis advisor sometime during the first semester of residence. He/she is free to change advisors or committee members at any time during graduate work. If he/she already has a permanent major advisor and committee, a change can be made by submitting a Change in Program of Study form.

Advisory/examining committees consist of at least three members of the graduate faculty: two from the area of specialization, and one from a university outside Chemical and Materials Engineering. Formal approval of the student’s advisory/examining committee is given by the Graduate Dean. The committee is very important in guiding a student’s process toward an advance degree, and high priority should be placed in forming the committee during the first semester.

When the student is close to finishing the approved Program of Study, Application for Graduation must be purchased at the Cashier’s Office. This application includes the date of graduation, and the approval of the chair of the committee and the Graduate Dean. Information on deadlines for application for application to graduation is found on the Graduate website. An applicant who does not complete degree requirements for application by the specific deadline must update and resubmit an application during the next appropriate filing period.

The department only offers a thesis Master’s degree. For this program, the student must follow the guidelines outline below:

• earn a minimum of 30 graduate credits; a minimum of 21 of these must be earned at the University of Nevada, Reno;
• earn a minimum of 18 credits (including thesis credits) at the 700- level; earn 6 thesis credits;
• take a maximum of 3 credits may be taken with S/U grading;
• take a maximum of 9 credits, with grades of B or better, can be completed prior to admission (including transfer credits); when transferring credit number institutions in your Program of Study and attach a Graduate Supplemental Letter received from the Division of Enrollment Services;
• maintain a 3.0 grade point average;
• all requirements for the Master’s degree within the period of 6 years immediately preceding the granting of the degree;
• a student must maintain continuous enrollment of 3 graduate credits each fall and spring semester, or obtain a written leave of absence approved by the student’s advisor, the Department Chair, and the Dean of the Graduate School.

Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering

The requirements for the Ph.D. degree are extensions of those presented above for the Master’s degree. Advisory/examining committees consist of at least five members of the graduate faculty: the major advisor (committee chair), at least two-faculty member from the student’s major, and at least one university-at-large member from the graduate faculty. Students may request the appointment of a committee member from the faculty of another university or from a relevant discipline or profession, provided the prospective member has achieved a record of distinction. Formal approval of the student’s advisory/examining committee is made by the Graduate Dean. The committee is very important in guiding the student’s progress towards an advance degree, and a high priority is placed in forming the committee early in the graduate program. For the student entering the Ph.D. program with a Master’s degree, the committee should be formed during the first semester.

Student must also pass a candidacy examination, which is intended to evaluate the student’s overall knowledge and understanding of his/her requirements. This examination includes both written and oral sections and may cover material not offered in formal course work.

Students pursuing the Ph.D. degree must file for candidacy after passing the comprehensive examination and no later than eight calendar months prior to graduation. Admission to Candidacy forms are availability on the Graduate School website. Admission to candidacy confirms that a student has successfully completed the departmental course requirements and the university residency requirements. In order to gain admission to candidacy, a student must meet all the following:

• earn a minimum of 72 graduate credits;
• earn a minimum of 48 credits of course work;
• earn a minimum of 24 credits of dissertation;
• take a maximum of 24 graduate credits, with grades of B or better, from a master's degree program or previous post-baccalaureate work may be applied to the program; when transferring credits, the student must identify course number and institution in his/her Program of Study and attach a copy of the Graduate Supplemental Letter received from the Division of Enrollment Services;
• maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average;
• take a maximum of 9 graduate credits may be taken with S/U standing;
• take at least 30 credits of 700-level courses exclusive of dissertation credits are required; as many as 18 of these credits maybe used from a master’s degree program;
• fulfill residency requirement- six semesters of graduate study and two consecutive semesters (fall or spring) of at least 9 graduate credits each (students on 20hr/week assistantships require 6 credits each semester;
• all requirements for the doctoral program, excluding prerequisite graduate course work or master’s degree must be completed within a period of 8 years immediately preceding the granting of the degree;
• maintain continuous enrollment; a minimum enrollment of 3 graduate credits each fall and spring semester, or obtain a written leave of absence approved by the student’s advisor, the Department Chair, and the Dean of the Graduate School.

NOTE: The department may impose additional requirements.

The last examination for completion of the Ph.D. is the final oral examination (dissertation defense), which is conducted by the advisory committee after the preparation of the dissertation.

The final date for submission of the dissertation in final form is one week before the close of the semester. No extension of this deadline is permitted. The Graduate Dean makes final approval of dissertation. Guidelines for format of the dissertation can be found on the Graduate School website.

Graduate Progress

Students typically complete a Master’s program in one and one-half to two years. Students on assistantships must take at least 6 credit hours per semester and are allowed to take a maximum of 9 credit hours of coursework per semester. Students earning both their Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in the program can expect a length of study of at least four years, but this can vary.

Graduate Support

Graduate Research Assistantships and state-supported Graduate Teaching Assistantships are the main forms of support for the graduate students.

Graduate Standards

The final record of each candidate is reviewed by the student’s advisory committee and by the Graduate School to ensure satisfactory completion of the Program of Study. A minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 must have been maintained. Further, no grade lower than a C- in any course can have been received by the student.

For additional requirements, please see the Graduate School website.