awarded when your academic and research advisor(s) are satisfied that the research program is complete and that all other formal requirements have been met. The financial support for a PhD candidate can have a time limit depending on the source of the support. As a PhD student, you will be required to take a comprehensive examination after the completion of two semesters, but no later than the completion of three-and-a-half semesters as a full-time student or equivalent. A successful oral examination given at least three weeks before graduation is also required for the PhD degree.

Minimum Degree Requirements for PhD in Polymer and Fiber Science

Total Hours of Courses (beyond MS degree): 12 hours

Core Courses Required: 4

Thesis: 18-hour thesis (approved by committee and Graduate School)

Exams: comprehensive and dissertation defense

About the School

The School of Materials Science and Engineering is one of the most exciting and dynamic units in the Clemson University system and enjoys the University’s full support. The University is investing $70 million over five years to fully develop an advanced materials industry cluster. The linchpin is a $21 million advanced materials research facility, anchored by one of the nation’s top optical materials laboratories and coupled with a state-of-the-art electron microscopy facility. The 111,000 square-foot facility opened in 2005. In addition, a $10 million endowed faculty position in optical materials will bring the brightest faculty in the field to the University.

Research Centers, Institutes and Facilities

Complete facilities are available for polymer synthesis, polymer surface modifications and polymer/fiber processing. Characterization techniques include optical and electron microscopy (SEM, TEM); AFM; X-ray diffraction; thermal analysis (DSC, TGA); and optical, electrical and mechanical property (tensile, fatigue, drape, etc) characterization. Other specialized capabilities include novel methods for synthetic fiber production and their modification. Ultrasonic curing of polymeric materials, as well as synthesis and characterization of fiber-based biomaterials, is accompanied by facilities to convert organic fibers into stable and coherent fabric structures (nonwovens, knits and woven).

The polymer and fiber science program is aligned with COMSET, the Center for Optical Materials Science and Engineering Technologies, which operates one of only a handful of optical fiber draw towers and MCVD lathes at

universities in the United States. The Heathway-built tower, equipped for single coatings of UV-curable polymeric protective coatings, is capable of drawing fibers up to 1 m/s and is able to reach temperatures anywhere between ambient and 2,200ºC.

In partnership with Clemson’s Spiro Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, local technical colleges, industry and regional economic development entities, COMSET is actively pursuing the University’s vision of becoming the focal point for knowledge creation and transfer in high-value-added photonic material technologies. This is being realized through partnerships, by technology transfer to established and new venture firms, through serving partners in scientific, business and entrepreneurial education and mentorship and in educating a world-class talent pool at the two-year, four-year and advanced degree levels. Details on COMSET’s mission, facilities and accomplishments are online at www.ces.clemson.edu/comset.

Additional major manufacturing and testing facilities are available at the Clemson Apparel Research (CAR) Center, the premier national resource for high-performance textiles and related materials research and applications.

CAR undertakes numerous research projects every year that create new technologies and management systems for the sewn-products and textile industries. CAR has developed stitchless technology that is superior in performance to sewn lapped seams for barrier fabrics and that has the potential for significantly reducing joining costs for other fabrics through full automation. Research continues to optimize end-item

performance and develop full-scale production equipment. Details about CAR are online at http://mse.clemson.edu/htm/partners/partners.htm.

The University’s Center for Advanced Engineering Fibers and Films (CAEFF) is one of only a handful of NSF national engineering research centers. CAEFF, in partnership with industry and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, seeks to advance engineering research and education in areas critical to the long-term competitiveness of US fiber and film-based industries. A comprehensive guide to CAEFF’s mission, facilities and programs can be found online at http://virtual.clemson.edu/groups/caeff.

Financial Aid

Research and teaching assistantships are available from the School of Materials Science and Engineering, private-sector industry and government agencies. Assistantships and fellowships with competitive stipends are available for top students.

Student Group

Approximately 80 graduate students from throughout the US and around the world are enrolled in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Clemson University. The school seeks to recruit high-caliber graduates from science and engineering backgrounds in polymer science, physics, chemistry, mathematics, materials science, computer science and other related disciplines.

Student Outcomes

Graduates of the program have been placed in both academic and business roles at such companies as Clariant, 3M, Rockwell Industries, Coats and Clark, Astro Dyeworks, AATCC, Honeywell, Sandoz (Mexico), Cramerton Finishing, Ciba Chemical, Corning; Southern Color and Chemical, Milliken, DuPont, BASF, FujiFilm, Michelin, Degussa and Smith-Nephew.

Faculty Listing

• J. Richard Aspland, Professor Emeritus; PhD, Manchester (England), 1964. Textile chemistry.

• John M. Ballato, Professor; PhD, Rutgers, 1997. Ceramic and materials engineering.

• Denis A. Brosnan, Professor; PhD, Iowa State, 1972. Ceramic engineering.

• Philip J. Brown, Assistant Professor; PhD, Leeds (England), 1991. Textile chemistry.

• Christine W. Cole, Professor; PhD, MIT, 1975. Physical chemistry.

• Michael J. Drews, Professor Emeritus; PhD, North Texas State, 1971. Physical chemistry.

• Michael S. Ellison, Professor; PhD, California-Davis, 1983. Polymer fiber physics.

• Stephen H. Foulger, Professor; PhD, MIT, 1996. Materials science.

• Bhuvenesh C. Goswami, Professor Emeritus; PhD, Manchester (England), 1966. Textile physics.

• Burtrand I. Lee, Professor; PhD, Florida, 1986. Materials science and engineering.

• David H. Leigh III, Professor Emeritus; PhD, New South Wales (Australia), 1976. Ceramic science.

• Gary C. Lickfield, Professor; PhD, Clemson, 1983. Physical chemistry.

• Jian Luo, Assistant Professor; PhD, MIT, 2001. Materials science and engineering.

• Igor A. Luzinov, Associate Professor; PhD, Lviv Polytechnic Institute (Ukraine), 1990. Polymer chemistry.

• Henry J. Rack, Professor; Sc.D., MIT, 1968. Metallurgy.

• Kathleen Ann Richardson, School Director and Professor; PhD, Alfred, 1992. Ceramics.

• Clarence D. Rogers, Professor Emeritus; PhD, Clemson, 1978. Applied Economics.

• Eric C. Skaar, Associate Professor; PhD, MIT, 1975. Ceramic engineering.

• Theodore D. Taylor, Associate Professor; PhD, Penn State, 1971. Ceramic science.

• Edward A. Vaughn, Professor Emeritus; PhD, Manchester (England), 1969. Textile physics.

• Charles K. Watt, Professor; PhD, George Washington, 1986. Engineering administration.