Ph.D. in Polymer Science

HOW TO APPLY

You may apply online by clicking here, or on the button below. If you have corrections to your information (particularly your e-mail address) after you have submitted your application, please contact the Graduate School at gradadmissions@uakron.edu. Note: All communication regarding the status of your application will be sent via e-mail. Thus, it is important that we have your most up-to-date email address.

Apply Online

Please note that all application materials, scores, and reference letters must be submitted to the office of graduate admissions at gradadmissions@uakron.edu.

• Early admission deadline: December 15th
• Application deadline: February 15th

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications that are complete by Dec. 15 will receive consideration for early admission. The application deadline is Feb. 15. Exceptional candidates may be considered after the Feb. 15 deadline. The Polymer Science program admits for Fall semester only.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for admission into the Polymer Science program are as follows:

• Official transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• CV/Resume
• TOEFL score (for international applicants)

1. A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of:
   • 3.00 or higher overall on a 4.00 scale; or,
   • 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale for work completed in the last two years; or,
   • 75 or higher overall on a 100 point scale.
   • Students accepted for admission into M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Polymer Science on average have GPA's well above 3.50 on a 4.00 scale.
   • Students coming from foreign universities not offering letter grades must receive a "First Class" grade or equivalent.


2. Official transcripts should be sent to:
   The University of Akron Graduate School, Leigh Hall, Room 515, Akron, OH, 44325.


3. NOTE: GRE scores will be waived effective August 3, 2021 to June 30, 2022.


4. Three letters of recommendation are required. Letters should reflect the applicants potential to excel in course work and carry out scientific research. Letter writers will be prompted through the application process. Alternatively letters may be sent directly by mail to:
   
   Office of Graduate Admissions
   Leigh Hall, Room 515
   The University of Akron
   Akron, OH 44325-2101
   Phone: 330-972-7663
   Fax: 330-972-6475
   Email: gradadmissions@uakron.edu
   
   Reference letters should preferably be uploaded via the Apply Online system. Letters by the referees should be on their official institution/company letterhead. Letters of recommendation that are not on official letterhead or which are without signatures will be disregarded and may delay the application being reviewed. Letters of recommendation should be e-mailed to gradadmissions@uakron.edu or faxed to 330-972-6475 or mailed in hard copy directly to the Graduate School at the address indicated below.


5. Statement of Purpose: Describe your motivation to pursue graduate studies. Share your accomplishments and things you have learned. This will be uploaded during the electronic application process.


6. A resume or CV shall be uploaded during your electronic application process.


7. TOEFL: PhD applicants whose native language is not English are required to achieve a 23 on the TOEFL speaking portion (and a 79 composite) or IELTS English (6.5 overall, 7 or higher on speaking) proficiency exams in order to be eligible for financial stipend via teaching assistantship.


8. PhD candidates are expected to serve as teaching assistants (TA) for financial stipend. Masters students are not eligible for TAs and are expected to be self-supported.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The general requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees as well as course descriptions in Polymer Science are described in the current University Graduate Bulletin (see index for Polymer Science - course prefix 9871). These requirements are set by the Graduate School. The specific departmental requirements listed in the bulletin are set by the Department of Polymer Science. The combined requirements of the Graduate School and Department of Polymer Science represent the minimal standards for the attainment of a particular degree. As such, they do not adequately describe the concern of the DPS faculty that graduate programs also be tailored to each student's background and research interests. Consequently there are additional requirements and procedures that both the department and the research advisor impose beyond those described in the Bulletin.

84 Total Credits = (38 course credits & 46 minimum research credits); formal seminar; research presentation; pass 6 cumulative exams; doctoral dissertation defense and final written dissertation; 1 year residency requirement; computer proficiency.

The doctoral degree is not awarded merely on the basis of the completion of a prescribed program of course requirements. The Ph.D. In Polymer Science is considered to be recognition that the recipient has carried out independent and original research at the prevailing advanced level of polymer science understanding.

In practice this original research is done under the guidance of a faculty member of the Polymer Science Department (see "Graduate Research Requirements", Section II). The student is assumed to have an advanced level of understanding of the principles of polymer science necessary to do research after the successful completion of course studies and cumulative or other examinations. After the public discussion of the research work both in a departmental "formal seminar" and then in a public "research presentation", the written dissertation is examined by the dissertation committee and an "oral doctoral dissertation defense" examination must be passed. A good measure of the scholarship inherit in the research can be determined by the faculty using the described procedures.

• A public discussion referred to as a departmental "formal seminar" and "research presentation required which reviews the literature pertinent to the research problem.
• Pass 6 Cumulative Exams - exams are given on a monthly basis (except June, July, August, and December)
• Oral doctoral dissertation defense and final written dissertation
• Foreign Language Requirement - Satisfy the foreign language requirement for the doctoral degree by meeting the requirements of Plan C. This is satisfied with computer proficiency, which is met by completing 9871:613 Polymer Science Laboratory which is part of the core curriculum.
• Attendance and participation is required in seminar-type discussions scheduled by the department.

Course Requirements for the Ph.D. Program

(See course descriptions in the Graduate Bulletin.)

The doctoral course program in Polymer Science consists of 38 credit hours based on a combination of:
Core Course Program - 20 credit hours
Elective Courses - at least 18 credit hours of elective courses appropriate to each student's area of interest.

Core Courses

20 credits - required for all students

• 9871:601 Polymer Chemistry (4 cr.)
• 9871:607 Seminar in Polymer Science (1 cr.)
• 9871:613 Polymer Science Laboratory (3 cr.)
• 9871:631 Polymer Physics I (4 cr.)
• 9871:632 Polymer Physics II (4 cr.)
• 9871:674 Polymer Characterization (2 cr.)
• 9871:685 Intro to Biomacromolecules (2 cr.)

Research Requirements

46 research credits required for all students

Satisfy the foreign language requirement for the doctoral degree by meeting the requirements of Plan C. This is satisfied with computer proficiency, which is met by completing 9871:613 Polymer Science Laboratory which is part of the core curriculum.

All students in the M.S. and Ph.D. programs in DPS are required to have taken a minimum of one undergraduate or graduate level course in computer science, like the University of Akron course 3460:201, with a passing grade. Graduate students lacking such a course may demonstrate computer proficiency by taking (a) 3650:605, Computer Physics I, 3 credits, or another applicable course at UA.

Elective Courses

The student and the student's research advisor determine the elective courses that will be taken by the student to fulfill the student's course program. The courses may be in the departments of polymer science, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computing, polymer engineering or other engineering departments. Below is a list of a typical first semester and second semester course program.