Study and Research Plan
Pursing Ph.D. degree in Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University
of Pennsylvania
Advisor: Professor I-Wei Chen, iweichen@seas.upenn.edu
LRSM Building, Room 424, 3231 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6272
Introduction of Background
I will get my bachelor’s degree in Microelectronics in July 2012 from Peking University.
During my undergraduate studies at PKU, I have gained a solid foundation of solid state
electronics and material physics. I developed interests in the area of functional electronic
materials, especially the physics of different nanomaterials and related modeling aspects. In my
junior year, I started my first research project focusing on Transitional Metal Oxide Resistive
Random Access Memory (TMO-RRAM). In this project, I gradually found that my real
interest and passion lie in more fundamental aspect: the study of materials for electrical
function especially in nanoscale. So I chose not to continue my graduate study in
Electrical Engineering but in Material Science and Engineering. My future goals include
further pursuit of my academic ideal of making electronic materials for useful applications, and
devoting myself to both research and teaching in this field.
Why Penn
Firstly, the PhD program in Material Science and Engineering at Penn suits my interests
very well. It is very strong in the fields of nanomaterials. Professor I-WEI Chen, who will
become my advisor when I come to USA, has done impressive research on memory
related thin film materials, which is exactly what I focused before.
Secondly, there are abundant resources for me to do research. Laboratory for Research on
the Structure of Matter, the longest running and the largest inter-disciplinary Materials
Research Laboratory America, was awarded $21.7 Million NSF Grant in 2011. MSE, as
well as these centers/institutes, will also benefit from the $91 million Singh Center
Nanotechnology, with completion of the facility slated for spring 2013. Because of the
long tradition of support from the NSF, their on-site facilities have outstanding core
techniques such as electron and scanning probe microscopy, as well as several unique
capabilities for structural and compositional analysis.
Last but not least, the studious atmosphere and environment of Penn are very attractive to
me. Consistent with the ranking of Penn as one of the top five universities in the nation,
MSE department is recognized for the quality of its educational program and the research
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activities of the world-renowned faculty. Also, I am attracted to the vibrant atmosphere of
center city Philadelphia with its rich cultural activities, active nightlife, sports teams, and
superb restaurants. Therefore, I believe I will enjoy studying and living in Penn in the
future.
Detailed Study Plan
I plan to get a PhD degree in Material Science and Engineering from Penn in 5 years.
According to the program requirements, I will arrange my time and courses as follows.
Year 1
 Courses
Fall Semester (9 hours)
Mechanical Properties of Macro/Nanoscale Materials (MSE 505)
Structure of Materials (MSE 520)
Spring Semester (9 hours)
Thermal Dynamics & Phase Transformation (MSE 530)
Fabrication & Characterization of Nanoscale Devices (MSE 565)
 Assistantship Required Work
Carry out the assignment required by the department as a RA.
 Research Arrangement
Get fitted in Professor I-Wei Chen’s group, become familiar with equipment in the lab
and do fundamental research works.
Year 2
 Courses:
Fall Semester (9 hours)
Phase Transformations (MSE 540)
Physics of Materials I (MSE 570)
Spring Semester (9 hours)
Physics of Materials II (MSE 571)
Nanoscale Science and Engineering (MSE 525)
 Assistantship Required Work:
Renew the assistantship as a TA or RA
 Research Arrangement:
Follow the instruction from advisor; Learn related papers and study practical cases
 Exams:
PhD Qualifying Examination
Year 3
 Courses:
Fall Semester (9 hours)
Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics (PHYS 518)
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Solid State Theory I (PHYS 661)
Spring Semester (9 hours)
Predissertation/Dissertation Research (9 hours)
 Assistantship Required Work:
Still perform responsibilities as a TA or RA as required by department and professors (It
will be renewed in the following two years)
 Research Arrangement:
Try to join in some research projects related to the RRAM, processing the fabrication and
characterization
Year 4
 Courses:
Study more courses if they are very applicable and useful for my further research.
 Assistantship Required Work
The same as Year 3
 Research Arrangement:
Doing research and working on the dissertation with the guidance from my advisor and
other professors; write papers as much as I can and try to get them published
Year 5
 Assistantship Required Work
The same as Year 3
 Research Arrangement:
Finish dissertation; write papers as much as I can and try to get them published
 Exams:
Pass final Examination (oral defense of the dissertation)
 Job Hunting:
Apply for positions as a lecturer in key universities in China, such as Tsinghua University,
Peking University, Shanghai Jiaotong University，and Nankai University
 Graduate:
Get the PhD degree and graduate from Penn
Signature:
Date:
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