Ceramic Engineering
A Hot Topic

Ceramic Engineering involves the study of scientific fundamentals and the engineering of ceramic materials, their processing and manufacture, and the application of ceramic materials to solve engineering problems.

Postgraduate programs require an advanced course in materials characterization, and a second course in advanced ceramic processing. Characterization courses may be of a survey nature, examining a wide variety of characterization techniques, or a specialized course, such as Electron Microscopy, X-ray Diffraction, or Chemical Spectroscopy. The advanced processing course is commonly based on the physical chemistry of powder dispersions, colloidal chemistry, and polymer-assisted ceramics processing. Other courses of study may involve mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic and optical properties of ceramics, fracture mechanics, advanced rheology, bioceramics, polymer chemistry, advanced chemistry and solid state physics; more manufacturing-related courses are Statistical Applications in Manufacturing, traditional Ceramics, Ceramic Composites, and Refractories and Glass Manufacturing. Technical electives at the graduate level in glass properties and glass processing may also be available in some programs. Students attend a research seminar each week, and must make an oral presentation of their research progress each semester. Students must therefore become competent with computer-assisted analysis of data and report preparation.

Graduate degrees in ceramic engineering are commonly offered at the Master of Science (MS) level. A minimum of 30 course credits (including thesis) is required. In the program at New York State College of Ceramics, for example, students may specialize in electronic materials, processing and properties, and glass. The common period for completion of the MS Degree in Ceramic Engineering is 18-20 months.

Programs for the Doctor of Philosophy PhD place more emphasis on the basic sciences. A Qualifying Exam on basic science fundamentals is commonly required during the first year of study, and must be passed in order to continue the program. Typically, 90 course credits (including thesis) are required, of which 42 must be in regular course work; of these, 15 credits must be taken in solid state physics, advanced physical chemistry, and applied mathematics. Students attend a weekly graduate research seminar, and must make an oral report of their personal research progress each semester. The research thesis must contain original investigation and theoretical interpretation of results with publishable conclusions, and a degree requirement is that it be presented orally and defended before a faculty committee.

Students with a Bachelor of Science degree in ceramics engineering, materials science and engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, metallurgy, or engineering science are all eligible candidates. Students entering from a program that does not emphasize structure and properties of materials commonly take courses in these subjects in preparation for post graduate study in ceramic engineering.

Looking forward to the next century, ceramic engineering will advance, especially in areas of powder processing, including nano-scale processing, electronic ceramics, and more advanced ceramics for high performance structural and wear-resistant applications. More research in advanced materials for more permanent infra-structure installations such as concrete can be anticipated. Glass advances will include stronger and less brittle glass for containers and automobiles, and advanced glass fiber for reinforcement. Processing improvements enabling higher-productivity production, lower impact environmentally-friendly 'green' production, and substitution of alternative or recycled materials is also anticipated.

Jobs for those with a graduate degree in ceramic engineering will be plentiful for many years to come, because more advanced materials are commonly required for advances in engineering designs and technology. The fields of electronic materials and bioceramics should experience significant advancement and growth, with more specialized courses becoming readily available at a variety of levels.

Job opportunities range widely from companies big and small to national laboratories. Recognizable international electronic companies are IBM, Motorola, Siemens and Xerox; glass companies include Saint Gobain, Corning, and Owens-Corning; structural ceramic companies are Coors and Kyocera. Numerous small companies focus on product innovation, and employ ceramic engineers with an advanced degree in the field for supervisory positions.

Author
James S. Reed
Dean, School of Ceramic Engineering & Materials Science
Alfred University