PhD in Macromolecular Science and Engineering

Push the field of polymer science by making breakthroughs in polymer synthesis, chemistry, physics and engineering.

Image of female student conducting research

Degree: PhD
Major: Macromolecular Science and Engineering
 

Make your mark on macromolecular science and engineering with a PhD from the nation’s first stand-alone polymer department

Getting a PhD in polymer science and engineering gives you the opportunity to move the field forward and contribute new knowledge to the development of a whole new generation of innovations. Some 75 percent of all chemists and chemical engineers in the United States work in the polymer field, yet only a tiny fraction of these people have been specifically trained in polymers—the training and experience you gain earning your PhD at Case Western Reserve puts you at the forefront of the field.

Thanks to our deep connections with industry partners, our PhD program gives you the opportunity to do cutting-edge research that’s directly tied to real-world problems. You’ll work alongside our field-leading faculty, making your own discoveries with a team of prolific researchers—as a group, they publish a peer-reviewed paper approximately every three days. From this elite group, you’ll choose a research advisor who will provide mentorship in research conception, methods, performance and ethics, as well as help you build professional contacts.

We work closely with our colleagues in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, which provides opportunities to collaborate across the full spectrum of materials research and education—and that collaborative spirit extends to all seven engineering departments and across the university, with multidisciplinary efforts underway in medicine, business, law and beyond.

Not only will you build your own research portfolio and hone your technical expertise, but you’ll also build the skills that make you a well-rounded professional: creativity, communication, emotional intelligence, entrepreneurial thinking, leadership and business acumen.

The PhD program consists of 36 hours of coursework including the departmental core courses and 18 credit hours of PhD thesis work, in addition to passing the research qualifying exam (oral proposal) and the written qualifying exam.

For students entering the PhD program with an MS degree, 18 credit hours of coursework is required, not 36 credit hours. For those enrolled in the MD/PhD degree program, all 18 course credits for breadth and depth courses must be taken within the Medical School Program.

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