UMass PSE Graduate Program

Our interdisciplinary PhD program provides students with a broad education, spanning core principles in synthetic chemistry, physical chemistry, materials science, and engineering—defining the frontiers of polymers and soft materials through research, scholarship, and community.

PSE Student Life

Graduate students from UMass Polymer Science & Engineering Michelle Gross, Ellie Haljun, Yeseul Lee, Karan Sagar, Imani Page and Benjamin Greenvall offer insights into the department's culture and the vibe of the UMass Amherst area. They also discuss how PSE equips them with the "tools for success" and supports their scientific growth and preparation for post-graduation careers.

88%
PhD graduation rate
5.2yrs
Average time to degree
18
Active faculty
770
PhDs since 1966

Research Groups

Reika Katsumata Group Intro

Kenneth Carter Group Intro

Student Voices

Watch the student voices playlist on YouTube to hear directly from our students about their experiences in PSE.

Bachir Messikh

Carter Research Group

Autumn Mineo

Katsumata Research Group