The University of Akron - the College of Engineering and Polymer Science
Master of Science in Polymer Science
Akron, USA
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
STUDY FORMAT
Key Summary
About: The Master of Science in Polymer Science prepares you for advanced study and research in polymers, macromolecules, materials science and polymer engineering. You’ll complete a prescribed programme of coursework, cumulative exams, formal presentation, and a research project culminating in a thesis. The institution provides lab-based training, hands-on experience, faculty-led research.
Career Outcomes: Graduates move into roles as polymer scientists/materials scientists, polymer engineers, research scientists, product development engineers, quality control specialists, R&D chemists, or technical consultants in plastics, composites, coatings, biomedical materials and nanocomposites. You can pursue doctoral study or careers in academia, testing laboratories, manufacturing, and industrial research labs.
The Master of Science degree is awarded for the completion of a prescribed program of course studies, cumulative exams, a formal presentation, and a research project that leads to the preparation of a thesis describing the research in a scholarly manner.
Degree Requirements
The general 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 minimum 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.
Currently, to achieve the M.S. in Polymer Science, a student must complete:
- 30 Total Credits = (16 core course credits; 8 elective credits; 6 research credits); formal seminar; pass 1 cumulative exam; pre-thesis written review; final written thesis; computer proficiency
- A public discussion referred to as a departmental "formal seminar" is required which reviews the literature pertinent to the research problem.
- Pass 1 Cumulative Exam - exams are given on a monthly basis (except June, July, August, and December)
- A pre-thesis written review of the literature will be submitted to the advisor and thesis reader for a grade in advance of the completion of the thesis (submission in the fall of the second year for FT students). The written thesis must exhibit the advanced level of understanding of the principles of polymer science that were developed in the courses and in specialized research reading.
- Final Thesis describing the research in a scholarly manner.
- Foreign Language Requirement - Satisfy the foreign language requirement for the master’s 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 are required in seminar-type discussions scheduled by the department.
Core Courses
- 9871:601 Polymer Chemistry (4)
- 9871:607 Seminar in Polymer Science (1)
- 9871:613 Polymer Science Laboratory (3)
- 9871:631 Physical Physics I (4)
- 9871:674 Polymer Characterization (2)
- 9871:685 Intro to Biomacromolecules (2)
Elective Courses
8 credit hours of elective courses appropriate to each student's area of interest. Any science, math, or engineering graduate-level course is acceptable with the approval of the research advisor.
Research (Thesis) Requirement
6 credit hours: an independent, original, and scholarly research investigation is required for the M.S. degree. It must be submitted to the Department of Polymer Science as a research thesis in the form specified by the UA Graduate School Guidelines for Thesis and Dissertations. It will then be considered and accepted or rejected by the student's research professor and the faculty reader. Then the thesis must be approved by the Chair of the Department, the Dean of the College, and the Dean of the Graduate School.
