该研究生课程旨在让学生了解所有材料中综合“结构”属性关系中的一般现象，以及对至少一类特定材料的现象的详细理解。完成特别规定/博士学位后。该计划的目标是在大学进行教学与研究，政府与工业研究，制造过程的操作与控制以及材料工业的管理与开发职位。学生可以进入材料科学的研究生课程，并在物理，化学，工程或材料科学方面进行本科预科课程。材料科学的博士课程包括参加一系列的预备课程，然后进行口试资格考试，书面论文和最后的口头答辩。该计划的目标是发展所选专业领域的能力，开发工具以评估学生专业领域以外的问题，在物理科学方面发展
As described in more detail below, the doctoral program in Materials Science consists of taking a series of preparatory classes, followed by an oral candidacy exam, a written thesis, and a final oral thesis defense. The goals of this program are to develop competence in a chosen field of specialization, to develop tools with which to assess problems outside the student's field of specialization, to develop sufficient strength in the physical sciences for self-education beyond formal training, and to cultivate the motivation and foresight to become a productive and influential leader. As such, the graduate program in Materials Science is designed to be a doctoral program and students are only admitted into the doctoral program. There is no separate master's program in Materials Science, however, a degree of Master of Science in Materials Science can be awarded upon request by students after the fulfillment of course requirements.<br><br>The Ph.D. degree in Materials Science is focused on research. Study and research programs for the Ph.D. degree are individually planned to fit the interests and background of the student. A comprehensive research project resulting in an original contribution to the field documented by a dissertation is required.<br><br>Residency. A minimum of three academic years in residence as a graduate student are required by the Institute, and two or more additional years are usually needed for preparation of the thesis.<br><br>Language Requirement. There is no language requirement for the Ph.D. degree.<br>The candidate is to provide a draft copy of his or her completed thesis to the members of the examining committee (typically the same as the thesis advisory committee) at least two weeks before the final oral examination. The date of the examination and the composition of the examining committee will not be approved by the dean of graduate studies until the thesis is submitted in completed form, i.e., ready for review by the dean, the members of the thesis committee, and the Graduate Office proofreader. Registration is required for the term in which the thesis defense is undertaken, but is not normally allowed beyond the last date of the term. For more information, please see the section entitled Information for Graduate Students in the Caltech catalog.