The Next Leaders for Tomorrow's Materials

Our researchers and students make a tremendous impact on the world. The UC Santa Barbara Materials graduate program is consistently ranked the best graduate program in materials science and engineering in the country, and in the world. Our prestigious graduate program in materials science and engineering has been ranked #1 among public universities by US News several years in succession, and #1 by the National Research Council's most recent rankings. 

Program Overview

Ph.D. in Materials, with specialization in any of the following areas of research:

• Electronic & Photonic Materials (compound semiconductors, quantum structures, advanced lasers, solid state lighting, microelectromechanical systems)
• Functional & Quantum Materials (ferroelectrics, optical materials, zeolite molecular sieves and catalysts)
• Macromolecular and Biomolecular Materials (self-assembling polymers, complex fluids, biopolymers, biomembranes, conducting and photonic polymers)
• Structural Materials (advanced alloys, ceramics, composites, coatings, structural polymers, multifunctional materials)

Program of Study

The curriculum in each area has the flexibility needed to provide multidisciplinary educational opportunities in the field of advanced materials, encompassing topics such as optoelectronic devices, composites, and micromechanics. Materials synthesis, processing and characterization feature prominently with courses in the processing of ceramics, alloys, composites, semiconductor materials, and polymers, as well as advanced topics in electron microscopy. Programs of study and research are individually tailored to accommodate research needs and student interest. Multidisciplinary education is strongly encouraged by means of joint faculty supervision of research and by the selection of courses. Students are also encouraged to cross over traditional boundaries into other campus departments (for example, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biology, Chemistry and Physics) through collaboration and taking courses in those departments, as appropriate. There is no foreign language requirement.

Faculty

The Materials Department features an outstanding faculty. Ten faculty members hold membership in the National Academy of Engineering, which reflects an exceptionally high national standing. Further, several faculty members have been awarded the most prestigious prizes and awards in their respective fields, including the NSF Career Award, the Sloan Fellowship, the Humboldt Senior Scientist Award, the APS Fluid Dynamics Prize, the ASM Gold Medal, and the SIAM Dahlquist Prize. Faculty in the department look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with talented and motivated graduate students.

Graduate Fellowships

The Department invites applications from keen students and offers a number of attractive fellowships and teaching and research assistantships. It is our experience that students enjoy UC Santa Barbara’s tradition of open collaboration and interdisciplinary research. Santa Barbara is a beautiful coastal campus with many cultural and recreational opportunities to augment student life. The overall environment is very supportive of scholarly and creative work.

Diversity Statement

The Materials Department is deeply committed to supporting a diverse graduate student cohort, and encourages and mentors students from all backgrounds to develop as scholars and professionals.  A list of resources related to diversity supported by the department and campus can be found here (https://materials.ucsb.edu/about/diversity).  The Department adheres to the University of California Diversity statement(https://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/governance/policies/4400.html) that underscores the importance of educating a diverse population.   The Graduate Division further provides programming and resources for students (https://ext-prod.graddiv.ucsb.edu/our-services/mentorship-inclusivity).

www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/admissions/diversity/diversity-resources-for-graduate-students