Polymer and Materials Sciences
Shape the future of innovation with our Master of Science in Polymer and Materials Sciences program. Designed for aspiring scientists, engineers, and researchers, this interdisciplinary program provides advanced knowledge of polymers, biomaterials, composites, nanomaterials, and emerging functional materials that drive modern technologies. Through a rigorous curriculum and hands-on laboratory experience, students develop the skills needed to understand, design, characterize, and improve materials for applications in healthcare, energy, electronics, manufacturing, and sustainability.
Our program combines cutting-edge research opportunities with close mentorship from leading faculty, preparing graduates for successful careers in industry, government laboratories, and academia. Students gain practical experience using advanced analytical techniques and state-of-the-art facilities while collaborating on real-world challenges. Whether your goal is to lead materials innovation, advance sustainable technologies, or pursue doctoral studies, our master's program equips you with the expertise and research foundation to make a lasting impact in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Why Earn a Master’s Degree?
A master's degree is a strategic investment in your future, providing the advanced knowledge, specialized skills, and research experience needed to excel in today's competitive job market. According to 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, professionals with a master's degree earn median weekly wages that are nearly 20% higher than those with a bachelor's degree and experience lower unemployment rates.
Career Possibilities
Graduates of the Master of Science in Polymer and Materials Science program are prepared for careers in industry, academia, and the public sector. Opportunities span advanced manufacturing, energy, aerospace, electronics, and healthcare, as well as state and federal government agencies, national laboratories, and research institutions. With expertise in materials design, characterization, and innovation, graduates are well positioned for roles in research and development, product innovation, quality assurance, technical consulting, and scientific leadership.
Program Objectives
The Master of Science in Polymer and Materials Sciences program (PMS) is designed to facilitate a value-added engagement between Coppin State University and industrial partners with the ultimate objective of accelerating research and technological innovations that are needed by the manufacturing enterprise. The selection of research areas will be driven through an industry-university partnership with a focus on themes relevant to the industry. To this end, the member companies will have
- direct input on the research directions funded through the PMS,
- participation and engagement with faculty during regular meetings,
- strengthen the opportunity to hear and see new capabilities/toolsets from synthesis to processing to characterization of new or improved materials/polymers with added value, and
- providing in situ internship experiences.
Admission Requirements
Students should apply to Coppin State University School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must submit:
- A completed application
- Official transcripts from the undergraduate degree granting institution, and all other colleges and universities attended
- Three (3) current letters of reference from the current employer, instructors, or other persons who can attest to their character, integrity, and academic potential
- A personal statement (2 pages) describing educational preparations, goals and careers. You should outline your short and long-term educational and career objectives in relation to your chosen field.
- Include at least two (2) research areas, together with the names of particular faculty members with whom you wish to perform your research work, and explain why you want to be mentored by that faculty. In addition, you could include other relevant information, such as any undergraduate research experience, internships, study abroad or other experiences you may have had to document your preparation for the graduate studies in your chosen field.
- Students holding a degree in biology or chemistry or any other sciences will be expected to have taken the following courses at the undergraduate level:
- Calculus I
- Organic Chemistry I and II
- Physics I and II
Graduate Program Requirements
To graduate with a Master of Science in Polymer and Materials Sciences, students must participate in and attend seminar-type discussions and complete 36 credit hours. These credit hours split among:
Core courses (20 credits)
Electives (10 credits)
Thesis (6 credits)
Core Courses (20 credits)
| course | credits | name |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 501 | 4 | Polymer Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Applications |
| CHEM 502 | 4 | Computational Chemistry |
| CHEM 531 | 4 | Foundations of Biomaterials |
| CHEM 571 | 4 | Thermodynamics of Polymer |
| CHEM 590 | 4 | Polymer Chemistry I |
Electives (10 credits)
| course | credits | name |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 507 | 4 | Biomarkers and Molecular Diagnostics |
| BIOL 521 | 3 | Biostatistics (as required) |
| CHEM 510 | 2 | Advanced Instrumentation |
| CHEM 511 | 2 | Electrochemistry for Polymers and Materials |
| CHEM 591 | 4 | Advanced Polymer Chemistry |
| CHEM 595 | 4 | Advanced Materials |
Thesis (6 credits)
CHEM 550 Research Thesis (6 credits) or
CHEM 551 Thesis Research I (3 credits) and CHEM 552 Thesis Research II (3 credits)
Degree Requirements
A total of 36 credits (30 course credits and 6 research credits); pre-thesis written proposal; final written thesis is required to fulfill the requirements for an M.S. degree in Polymer and Materials Sciences. A pre-thesis written proposal should be submitted to the advisor and thesis reader (submission at the end of the spring semester of the first year). The written thesis must exhibit an advanced level of understanding of the principles of materials and/or polymer science that was developed in the courses and in specialized research reading. A final thesis describing the research in a scholarly manner is required. In addition, attendance and participation is required in seminar-type discussions scheduled by the department.
Plan of Study
To graduate, each student must complete a minimum of 36 credits, including any transfer credits. Students must meet with the department chair or program director for advice and periodical evaluation of student’s progress towards the completion of courses for graduation.
Fall Semester (8 credits)
| Course | credits | name |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 571 | 4 | Thermodynamics of Polymer |
| CHEM 590 | 4 | Polymer Chemistry I |
Spring Semester (11 credits)
| course | credits | name |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 501 | 4 | Polymer Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Application |
| CHEM 551 | 3 | Thesis Research I |
| CHEM 591 | 4 | Advanced Polymer Chemistry |
Fall Semester (10 credits)
| Course | credits | name |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 595 | 4 | Advanced Materials |
| CHEM 511 | 2 | Electrochemistry for Polymer and Materials |
| CHEM 531 | 4 | Foundation of Biomaterials |
Spring Semester (7 credits)
| Course | credits | name |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 552 | 3 | Thesis Research II |
| CHEM 502 | 4 | Computational Chemistry |
Course Descriptions
Learn more about the courses part of the Master of Science in Polymer and Materials Sciences program.
This course is designed to understand detailed biochemical, molecular and cell biological approached used in the diagnosis of various abnormalities in human population by using -Nucleic Acids, -protein, -carbohydrate and lipid –based biological markers. This course aims to cover the basic principles of molecular biology and examine their relevance to the identification of disease-causing genes/mutations and the diagnosis of human genetic disorders.
Prerequisites
- Instructor permission
This course deals with the principles of experimental design; hypothesis testing; application of statistical methods for comparing discrete and continuous data including ANOVA, t-test, correlation, and regression.
A course that explain, develop skills in cutting edge technology for polymer nanoparticle characterization and properties measurement utilizing state of the art tools for specific purposes.
Prerequisites
- A course in Nanotechnology or
- Advanced Inorganic Chemistry or
- Organic Chemistry II
Exploration of contemporary technology used to access molecular modeling and computational chemistry with topics that include calculation of molecular structures using both classical mechanics and quantum mechanics.
Prerequisites
- Instructor Permission
A course that explains the theory and operation of instruments used to characterize matter. This course is available to students in the advanced MS chemistry or material science programs. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite
- Instructor permission
The Electrochemistry of polymers course is intended to provide an overview of the thermodynamic principles that can be applied for polymers characterization strategies that leads to evaluate its material properties and possible applications for different classes of polymers (organic, inorganic) discovered previously or currently under development.
A course that emphasizes topics related with solid/liquid/gel state matter; molecular 2D, 3D atomic assembly, macromolecules with dipolar and quadrupolar moment, synthesis/characterization of polymers its molecular mass. Analysis of hydrophobic effects, stretching, collapse, swelling and shape changing.
An independent, original, and scholarly research investigation is required for an M.S. Degree in Polymer and Materials Sciences. The thesis must be written using APA format. Prior to conducting the thesis work, a proposal must be submitted to the Polymer and Materials Sciences program Office using forms specified by the school of graduate studies.
The proposal will then be reviewed by the student's research advisor(s) and the faculty reader. A candidacy exam of the thesis proposal will be administered in the fall of the second year of the program. The graduate program coordinator will then and submit his/her recommendation to the Chair of the natural sciences department, the Dean of the graduate studies for approval.
This course provides opportunities to develop and write a master's Thesis. An independent, original, and scholarly research investigation is required for an M.S. Degree in Polymer and Materials Sciences. The thesis must be written using APA format. Prior to conducting the thesis work, a proposal must be submitted to the Polymer and Materials Sciences program Office using forms specified by the school of graduate studies. The proposal will then be reviewed by the student's research advisor(s) and the faculty reader. A candidacy exam of the thesis proposal will be administered in the fall of the second year of the program. The graduate program coordinator will then submit his/her recommendation to the Chair of the natural sciences department, the Dean of the graduate studies for approval.
Prerequisite: Complete 20 credits, Permission of instructor.
This course provides opportunities to develop and write a master's Thesis. An independent, original, and scholarly research investigation is required for an M.S. Degree in Polymer and Materials Sciences. The thesis must be written using APA format. Prior to conducting the thesis work, a proposal must be submitted to the Polymer and Materials Sciences program Office using forms specified by the school of graduate studies. The proposal will then be reviewed by the student's research advisor(s) and the faculty reader. The graduate program coordinator will then submit his/her recommendation to the Chair of the natural sciences department, the Dean of the graduate studies for approval.
Prerequisite: Complete 20 credits. Completion of CHEM 551
This course is intended to provide an overview of the thermodynamic principles that can apply to polymer characterization strategies leading to evaluation of material properties and possible applications for different classes of polymers (organic, inorganic) discovered previously or currently under development.
The course focuses on the properties of polymerization techniques in solution, emulsion, microemulsion and characterization and overview of the properties of commercial polymers with emphasis on the interrelations between molecular and gross physical properties; polymer structure; methods of polymerization; polymer development; and Industrial applications for polymers.
Prerequisites
- Organic chemistry or equivalent and
- Instructor permission
This course studies the most common synthetic methods used in polymerization, the basic differences in the kinetics of these methods, the final products obtained, and the synthetic processing techniques that are currently used for various applications.
Prerequisites
- Organic Chemistry and
- Physical Chemistry
Advanced Materials is a mastery level course that exposes students to the use of cutting edge technologies to advance their understanding of the synthesis, characterization, and application of advanced materials.
750+ Course Options
The Coppin State University Academic Catalog has a wide variety of skill-building courses designed to inspire and prepare you to be in-demand professionals and transformational leaders.
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Polymer and Materials Sciences lives in the Department of Natural Sciences in the School of Arts & Sciences within the College of Arts & Sciences, and Education.