M.S. Liquid Crystal Engineering

Overview

In response to the growing need for skilled engineers with expertise in liquid crystals, the Liquid Crystal Institute (LCI) at Kent State University is launching a new concentration for a Master of Science Degree in Liquid Crystal Engineering. The Liquid Crystal Engineering Concentration offers an intensive two-year curriculum leading to an M.S. degree without thesis.  It focuses on practical learning by combining both lecture and hands-on laboratory coursework with the equal emphasis, providing students with the opportunity to learn:

• basic sciences of liquid crystals and electro-optics,
• modeling and simulation,
• electronic and optical design,
• fabrication and testing of displays, electro-optic devices, sensing devices and applied systems in the advanced facilities of the LCI.

During the first summer, students are required to complete a summer project on special topics that solidifies their acquired knowledge. Students will acquire practical skills as well as a working knowledge of the fundamental science and technology needed at the cutting-edge forefront of liquid crystal industry. This program has been developed and taught by world-renowned liquid crystal scientists at the LCI, working together with engineers and technology specialists in industry.  Internship opportunities may also be available with the LCI’s partner companies.

You should consider applying if you:

• aspire to be a corporate engineer in future in display and related industries,
• are interested to acquire hands-on experience in liquid crystal device design and fabrication,
• want to study the fundamental sciences and technologies underlying liquid crystal displays.

Program information and Requirements

• M.S. Program Requirements
• List of Courses

Roadmap

The courses are arranged over the program period of 20 months in such a way that students can learn the fundamental sciences and the corresponding laboratory techniques together, from basic to advanced levels, step-by-step.

Year One

Fall Semester

In the first semester, students study the materials science, the physical properties and theoretical optics of liquid crystals, while acquiring the basic skill set to handle liquid crystals and fabricate liquid crystal cells for subsequent courses. The lab experience provides a real world context for each topic covered in the lectures.

Spring Semester

Device-oriented courses begin in the second semester. Liquid Crystal Optics II & III are laboratory courses covering the working principles and actual design of optical components and liquid crystal optical systems. Liquid Crystal Device Engineering I begins with the introduction to practical liquid crystal display devices, which is subsequently complemented with Liquid Crystal Analog Electronics.

Summer

By summer, students are sufficiently familiar with liquid crystals and liquid crystal devices to undertake a basic, yet complete project as a capstone for the first year of study. Here LCI faculty members advise small groups of students working on projects of their choosing, selected from the list of project options which cover a wide range of perspectives from materials characterization to device fabrication.

Year Two

Fall Semester

The third semester advances the domain of study into the more industrially relevant realm of densely pixelated devices that require active matrix driving. Liquid Crystal Device Engineering II covers device principles and design methods with emphasis on the active matrix approach. Liquid Crystal Digital Electronics deals with the hardware and software for the digital signal processing that plays a central role in display electronics.

Spring Semester

The final semester concludes the two-year curriculum with the fabrication and testing of liquid crystal devices. Advanced cleanroom processes and techniques for the measurement of characteristic display device parameters are addressed. Students are expected to take elective courses of broader interest in this semester to deepen the understanding of industrial innovation processes before graduation.

Graduate Forms, Dates, and Procedures

• Graduate Forms
• Application for Graduation Processing Dates and Procedures
• Transcript Requests

Contact

For more information, or if you'd like to arrange a visit to the Liquid Crystal Institute, please contact us.

Apply

For more information about the program and the application process, see:

• Apply Online
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Program Brochure

If paying the application fee is a hardship for you, let us know; we can help.

Please note also that our admission guidelines do NOT require a GRE Subject Test, but we do strongly recommend submission of General GRE scores. TOEFL scores are also required for most international students.