University of Connecticut, Institute of Materials Science Polymer Program
97 North Eagleville Road, Storrs CT 06269-3136
Tuition $546 per credit. Application fee: $40 .
Contact: Barbara Garton,
Graduate Coordinator,Tel:860 486 4613
Fax:860 486 4745
E-Mail: grad@mail.ims.uconn.edu
www.ims.uconn.edu/polymer/
The Polymer Program at the University of Connecticut is world renowned for interdisciplinary graduate research and education leading to a Ph.D. degree in polymer science. This allows students and faculty to collaborate across departmental boundaries and explore special areas of research such as biomaterials, electronic and photonic polymers, adhesives, coatings and polymer blends. The average completion time for the Ph.D. degree is four years. The first year is dedicated primarily to the six core courses and the general examination. Research, completion of the Ph.D. course requirements, oral presentation and thesis writing occupy most of the subsequent years. Specific areas of research and their applications are numerous and include molecular simulations, polymer blends, spectroscopic characterization by UV and NMR, nanomaterials, optoelectronic polymers and artificial "noses" and "tongues" for the detection of chemicals. Through the Institute of Material Science, Polymer Program students and faculty have complete access to all facilities in modern, environmentally-controlled research laboratories. These laboratories also support research in metallurgy, biomaterials and electrical insulation, and so foster interaction with scientists in other areas of materials science. Recently acquired instruments and facilities include a clean room for surface and interface research, a monochromic source variable angle ESCA, a relaxation spectrophotometer and a tuneable UV/visible pulsed Nd.YAG laser. A molecular graphics computer and a supercomputer for materials simulation studies are also located in IMS. Scanners, color printers, and a color copier are also available. The laboratories are supported by a machine shop, an electronics shop, and a photographic laboratory, all located in the IMS building. In addition, current materials science journals are housed in the Institute library for the convenience of students and faculty. Financial aid is available in the form of graduate assistantships which generally carry no teaching responsibilities during the first year. Virtually all full time Ph.D. students receive full financial aid which carries a full tuition waiver and includes health insurance coverage and the general University fee. Located in a scenic rural area of eastern Connecticut, the main campus of the university is within easy driving distance of Boston, New Haven, Providence and Hartford. Chartered bus service to New York is available frequently. Recreational areas of Vermont and New Hampshire and the Connecticut and Rhode Island coasts are near by.