The Center for Polymers And Advanced Composites offers on-campus and off-campus (virtual) programs at the graduate level. The mission of the Polymer and Fiber Engineering program is to provide education and training necessary to future industry leaders, educators and researchers in the field of advanced polymer and composites in accordance with Auburn University’s mission to “prepare Alabamians to respond successfully to the challenges of a global economy.”
Students who elect to pursue graduate study Polymer and Fiber Engineering (PFEN) may earn two program degrees or a graduate certificate:
- Graduate Certificate in Polymer Engineering (GCRT-PMEN)
- Polymer and Fiber Engineering M.S. (Thesis and non-Thesis Options)
- Polymer and Fiber Engineering Ph.D.
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in polymer engineering, fiber engineering, materials engineering/science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, chemistry, physics, or related subject areas. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required. The Auburn University Graduate School requires TOEFL or ELTS scores of all applicants which are reviewed by the PFEN graduate program officer.
The Graduate Certificate in Polymer Engineering prepares individuals by advancing their level of knowledge and understanding in polymer materials and engineering that can be applied in their area of specialty. The certificate requires 11 hours of coursework in polymer chemistry, polymer characterization, and polymer processing. The focus of this coursework is to equip students with the advanced education required to contribute to the existing industries which produce, process, or utilize polymer materials as well as those working in related research and development sectors. AU Bulletin
Students in the MS program enroll in coursework covering core courses in polymer chemistry, polymer processing, structure and properties of polymers, and polymer characterization. They further enroll in specialized courses beneficial to their research, such as mechanics of flexible structures, composite materials, biopolymers, and fiber and film formation. Both thesis and non-thesis options are offered. Both the thesis and non-thesis option requires a minimum of 30 hours of graduate courses. The thesis option requires the compilation of a Masters thesis. AU Bulletin
The Ph.D. in Polymer and fiber engineering requires a minimum of 60 hours of graduate courses including a minimum of 10 hours of PFEN 8990 Research and Dissertation. The student must enroll in and pass (B or better) a set of core courses receiving . After successfully presenting a dissertation research proposal to the student’s graduate committee, the student becomes a candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy degree and may proceed with the dissertation research. Graduate teaching and research assistantships may be available. AU Bulletin
The General Doctoral Examination consists of two parts, the “PhD Qualifying Examination” and the “PhD Preliminary Oral Examination”. The PhD Qualifying Examination will be successfully fulfilled by earning a B or higher in each of the four (4) core graduate courses above.
At the PhD Preliminary Oral Examination, the student will present to their Faculty Research Advisory Committee a thorough description and comprehensive discussion of his/her proposed dissertation research. Successful completion of the Preliminary Oral Examination requires unanimous approval of the student’s Faculty Research Advisory Committee. Upon successful completion of the PhD Qualifying and Preliminary Oral Examinations, the student advances to candidacy. After completion of the dissertation, the student must pass a final oral examination defending the dissertation.