Co-Coordinator: James Springstead
Co-Coordinator: Qingliu Wu
Room A-222 Floyd Hall
The Doctor of Philosophy in Paper and Printing Science is designed to prepare scientists for performing advanced research or for teaching at the university level. The emphasis of the program is on paper making processes, paper coating, paper recycling, and graphic and printing science technologies.
This is a research-intensive degree, based on fundamental scientific and chemical principles; the emphasis is on learning techniques for advanced research, the production of such advanced research, and the reporting of the research. Close supervision of the research will be maintained by the student's Dissertation Advisory Committee and, particularly, by the chair of that committee. Some formal course work, much of it possibly accepted from course work completed to achieve a master's degree, is required to prepare for and support an original research problem chosen by the student in consultation with the Dissertation Advisory Committee. However, the degree is awarded for the attainment of knowledge of the paper and printing science disciplines and for original research; the degree is not awarded for accumulation of course credits. Thus, the key component of the program is the Dissertation Advisory Committee's careful and continuous mentoring of the student to develop necessary skills and knowledge to support advanced research.
Admission Requirements
Application materials may be obtained from the Office of Admissions, Graduate Admissions or from the Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering (ChP). International students should contact the Office of International Services and Student Affairs for the appropriate materials and information.
All applicants must meet the general admissions requirements for the Ph.D. specified by the Graduate College. In addition, the applicant is strongly encouraged to have completed a master's degree in a discipline relevant to paper and printing science with a minimum 3.25 grade point average. The Graduate Record Examination, General Test, is required of all applicants, as are at least three letters of recommendation and a letter describing the applicant's research interest. International students must also submit the TOEFL scores.
Admission determinations will be made by the department's Graduate Committee and will take into consideration the student's previous academic training and record of achievement, the GRE score, the recommendations provided in letters from three referees, and the information about the proposed area of study described in the letter of interest.
Financial Assistance
The Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering offers opportunities for financial assistance of doctoral students through graduate assistantships and fellowships, depending on availability of funds and departmental needs. Information concerning these opportunities is available from the department's graduate advisor or from the Graduate College.