Polymer, Fiber, and Textile Sciences Concentration

The Ph.D. in Polymer, Fiber and Textile Sciences offers you the opportunity to explore and research topics such as:

  • Polymers and fibers
  • Fabrication of advanced multifunctional fibers and their surface functionalization of advanced multifunctional fibers
  • Stimuli-responsive fibers and nanostructured biomaterials
  • Biobased plastics/composites
  • Biodegradable polymer products
  • Enzymatic treatment of textiles
  • Smart textiles
  • Apparel
  • Medical textiles
  • Analytical chemistry and characterization of fibers and textiles
  • Product design and development
  • Quality and statistical analysis
  • Environmental chemistry

Major Requirements

- Core Courses (20 hours)

  • TXMI 8400: Biomaterials based on Polymers, Fibers, and Textiles (3 hours)
  • TXMI 8420: Polymer Science I (3 hours)
  • TXMI 8430: Chemical and Instrumental Analysis of Nanostructured Polymer Materials (3 hours)
  • TXMI 8480: Polymer Science II: Physical Properties of Polymeric Materials (3 hours)
  • TXMI 8900: Graduate Seminar (1 hour; for 8 semesters = 8 credit hours) 

- Supporting Courses (9 hours)

  • Supporting courses in chemistry, physics, biological sciences, engineering, mathematics, statistics, or environmental sciences (Minimum of 6 hours at the 8000 levels) *Supporting courses will be selected in consultation with an advisory committee.
  • TXMI 8050: Research Methods (3 hours)

- Doctoral Research (24+ hours)

  • TXMI 9000: Doctoral Research (minimum 24 credit hours total) ​​
  • At least 24 hours for the program are required (recommended 3-5 for the first two semesters and 6-9 hours for the following semesters).

-Dissertation (6+ hours)

  • TXMI 9300: Doctoral Dissertation (6 hours)

- Additional Courses

  • GRSC 7001: GradFirst Seminar (Graduate School REQ - 1 hour)

  • GRSC 7770 Graduate Teaching Seminar - Required for students receiving a teaching assistantship (TA)

Total hours required: 60+ hours 

Depending on your undergraduate major and previous course work, you may be required to complete undergraduate courses* (this may include General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry plus one of the following):

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Chemical Thermodynamics

*Undergraduate credit hours do not count toward your graduate degree and are not listed on the program of study.

List of Potential Graduate Courses Offered:

  • TXMI 6100: Advanced Polymers and Fibers
  • TXMI 6160: Product Development in the Textile and Apparel Industries
  • TXMI 6900: Special Topics
  • TXMI 8400: Biomaterials based on Polymers, Fibers and Textiles
  • TXMI 8420: Polymer Science I
  • TXMI 8430: Chemical and Instrumental Analysis of Polymers and Fibers
  • TXMI 8480: Polymer Science II
  • TXMI 8500: Contemporary Topics in Textiles, Merchandising, and Interiors
  • TXMI 8005: Doctoral Graduate Student Seminar
  • TXMI 9010: Direct Research

What's our program like? Hear from one of our students

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