Current Students

MTE 511 and 512 are required for all master’s students, and you can take them any time before you graduate. Students typically take 511 in A term and 512 in B term of their first year. Most students front-load courses in year one and focus on capstone project or research in year two. If you know your project or research advisor, discuss your plan with them first, because the topic can affect which courses help most.

You can use the add/drop form for the instructor to add you even if the class is over capacity.

No. We understand plans change. The plan of study is there to give you a view of the requirements. However, you do need to get approval from the program of your new study plan. Reach out if you want guidance

The program offers a 1-credit independent study. Reach out to faculty to discuss one in a semester that works for you.

We require at least one semester of attendance, the semester you apply to graduate with your MS degree.

Possible. Discuss with the program once your IQP plan is settled.

Initiate the project in eProjects, add your advisor and send it to your advisor for approval. https://eprojects.wpi.edu/

We have NDAs with many companies. If we do not already have one with your employer, we will be happy to review and work out a plan.

Yes. Fill out required paperwork https://www.wpi.edu/offices/registrar/academics and submit it for approval.

MTE 511 and 512 are foundational courses required for everyone. MTE 532, 526 and 550 are core courses required for qualifying exams. Also check out https://courselistings.wpi.edu/ to see what works out for your schedule, and discuss with your research advisor which courses are helpful or needed for your research.

There are four exams: X-Ray Diffraction and Crystallography, Thermodynamics, Phase Transformations and Diffusion, and one special topic that you choose from an elective list. Each exam is two hours long.

It may vary depending on the elective course offered recently and faculty exam writer availability. Some typical electives include: Electrochemical Energy Systems, Mechanical Behavior and Fracture of Materials, Corrosion and Corrosion Control, Surface Engineering, and Analytical Methods in Materials Engineering. Other topics may be added.

MTE 532 (X-Ray Diffraction and Crystallography), MTE 526 (Advanced Thermodynamics) and MTE 550 (Phase Transformations) prepare you for the three required subjects. Then take the course that matches your special topic, for example MTE 5844 (Corrosion and Corrosion Control).

The exams are given once a year in August, typically on Thursday and Friday in the week immediately prior to the start of fall semester. The announcement typically goes out in late Spring, and students sign up with their choice of special topic by a deadline, typically end of May. Please discuss with your advisor whether you should take the exams this year and which special topic to choose.

The rules for each exam are set by the faculty member who writes it.

The program aims to notify students by the end of September.

You are offered the opportunity to retake the subject you did not pass one more time.

Congratulations! Your next milestone in the PhD program is your dissertation research proposal, as outlined in the WPI Graduate Catalog. We expect you to complete it within the next 12–24 months.

Congratulations! Please ask your dissertation committee chair to update the program director and administrator. The next step is to focus on your research and schedule your dissertation defense when you and your committee feel you are ready.

According to the graduate catalog, from the start to the end of your PhD you have 10 years.

Submit the Request to Return from Leave of Absence form: https://www.wpi.edu/offices/registrar/student-status/returning-to-wpi. The student success manager in Graduate Studies can guide you through registration access.

Please check out the leave of absence policy: https://www.wpi.edu/offices/registrar/student-status