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¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Catalog 2025-2026

Fiber and Polymer Science

The Ìý²úrings together the disciplines of mathematics, chemistry, physics and engineering for the development of the independent scholars versed in the fields of polymer, fiber and textile science.Ìý

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of textiles, students pursuing a Ph.D. in fiber and polymer science research a nearly unlimited range of STEM topics, including:Ìý

  • Polymer science
  • Fiber scienceÌýÌý
  • Forensics
  • Textile chemistry
  • Dyeing and finishing
  • Medical textiles
  • Nanotechnology
  • Nonwovens
  • Functional textiles
  • Smart textiles
  • Sustainability

Graduates of this multidisciplinary program go on to successful careers in academia, government and industry.

Scholarships and Assistantships

Competitive scholarships and assistantships from the program, as well as from the university, are available to incoming new students. All incoming students will be considered for the funding opportunities. No separate application for assistantships/scholarships is needed.

More Information

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Admission Requirements

Students with a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in a related field may apply to the Fiber and Polymer Science program. Typically the minimum acceptable overall grade point average (GPA) is a 3.0 out of 4.0, based on most current U.S. universities.Ìý Students without a master’s degree may also apply if met the following conditions:Ìý

  • the undergraduate degree from a well-known and robust research active program with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above;Ìý
  • strong recommendation letters from faculty adviser(s) indicating research experience or suggesting research potential; andÌý
  • strong publication record/experience or extensive industry experience in related industry/profession.ÌýÌý

Applicants should plan to take the GRE or GMAT examination, which is required for all applicants. The GRE/GMAT scores should be sent to NC State ¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ electronically and be available online.Ìý Ìý

For International students, TOEFL or IELTS is required for the application. Students must rank in a competitive percentile in order to be considered for acceptance into NC State ¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾.Ìý

  • TOEFL: A total score of 80+ on IBT. Minimum scores of 18 points for each section: or ÌýÌý Ìý
  • IELTS: An overall band score of 6.5+. Minimum scores of 6.5 points for each section

Applicant Information

  • Delivery Method:ÌýOn-Campus
  • Entrance Exam: GRE
  • Interview Required:ÌýNone

Application Deadlines

  • Fall:ÌýMarch 1 (International); June 25 (U.S.)
  • Spring:ÌýJuly 15 (International); November 25 (U.S.)

Faculty

Full Professors

  • Harald Ade
  • Roger L. Barker
  • Philip Bradford
  • Lisa Chapman
  • Emiel DenHartog
  • Ahmed El-Shafei
  • Peter Fedkiw
  • Jan Genzer
  • Tushar Ghosh
  • Warren Jasper
  • Jeff Joines
  • Saad A. Khan
  • Martin King
  • Amy M. Knab
  • Traci Lamar
  • Jerome Lavelle
  • Karen Leonas
  • Lucian Lucia
  • Roger Narayan
  • Lokendra Pal
  • Melissa Pasquinelli
  • Behnam Pourdeyhimi
  • Abdel-Fattah Seyam
  • Renzo Shamey
  • Richard Spontak
  • Hooman Tafreshi
  • Kristin Thoney-Barletta
  • Richard Venditti
  • Nelson Vinueza
  • Yingjiao Xu
  • Xiangwu Zhang

Associate Professors

  • Ericka Ford
  • Wei Gao
  • Wendy E. Krause
  • Shuang Lim
  • Kavita Mathur
  • Bryan Ormond
  • Sonja Salmon
  • Eunkyoung Shim
  • Minyoung Suh

Assistant Professors

  • Januka Budhathoki-Uprety
  • Xiaomeng Fang
  • Jessica Gluck
  • Amanda Mills
  • Md Abdul Quddus
  • Tom Schroeder
  • Tova Williams
  • Rong Yin
  • Yang Zhang
  • Mengmeng Zhu

Adjunct Faculty

  • Meredith L. McQuerry

Affiliate Faculty

  • Mehmet Dasdemir

Courses

FPSÌý696ÌýÌýSummer Thesis ResÌýÌý(1 credit hours)ÌýÌý
FPSÌý710/TCÌý710ÌýÌýScience of Dye Chemistry, Dyeing, Printing and FinishingÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

The primary course purpose is to gain a strong fundamental understanding of the chemistry and technology of preparation, dyes, dyeing and finishes. Emphasis will be on the chemistry of different bleach activators, surfactants, photophysics and photochemistry of FWAs, modulations of dyes structures to influence color, tinctorial strength, light fastness, wash fastness and aggregation. Chemistry of different dye classes will be studied with emphasis on structure-property relationships and dye-fiber interactions. Dyeing isotherms (Nernst and Langmuir), kinetics of dyeing with emphasis on derivation of Nernst and Langmuir based on thermodynamics and kinetics principles will be covered with practical examples of dyeing at different temperature and how to calculate thermodynamic parameters of dyeing (entropy, standard affinity and isotherm constants of Nernst and Langmuir). Chemistry of different finishes, including soil release, chemistry of flame retardants and mechanisms of flame retardancy, antimicrobial and water and oil repellency, will be covered with emphasis on structure-property relationships.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing and C or better in CH221 or CH225 and CH223 or CH227

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

FPSÌý720/TTMÌý720ÌýÌýTextile Technology - Fibers and YarnsÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

The course covers advanced aspects of processing fibers or filaments into yarns and the interrelation between the yarn mechanics and structure, geometry, and properties of fiber assembly. The theme is the influence of fibers' measured properties on the quality of subsequent yarns and fabrics. The issues associated with the development of a universal model for the prediction of yarn properties, including the role of test methods on reported values, the impact of fiber blends, various parameters associated with quality in textile products including difficulties associated with a definition of "quality" and how all of these impact yarn costs.

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate even years

FPSÌý750/TTMÌý750ÌýÌýAdvances in Fabric Formation, Structure, and PropertiesÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

The course covers different aspects of the processing of yarns to products (braided, knitted, woven, and their composites) and the interrelation between the production mechanics and structure, geometry and properties of fiber assembly. Topics in the field are assigned and each student is expected to thoroughly study the topics and write critical papers based on structured assignments and specific questions. Conduct projects from concept to fabric formation, analyses, and evaluation.

Corequisite: TTÌý550 or TTÌý551 (or TTÌý451) or equivalent

Typically offered in Spring only

FPSÌý770ÌýÌýAdvances in Polymer ScienceÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

This course provides an overview of the unique features of polymer materials that distinguish them from those composed of small-molecules or atoms (Polymer Physics) and the connections between their detailed molecular structures and their properties which produce distinctions between them (Polymer Chemistry).

Restriction: Graduate Standing in Fiber and Polymer Science, Textile Chemistry, Textile Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Physics, or by permission of the instructor.

Typically offered in Fall only

FPSÌý792ÌýÌýSpecial Topics in Fiber ScienceÌýÌý(1-6 credit hours)ÌýÌý
FPSÌý801ÌýÌýSeminarÌýÌý(1 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

FPSÌý830ÌýÌýIndependent StudyÌýÌý(1-3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

FPSÌý876ÌýÌýSpecial Project in Fiber and Polymer SciencesÌýÌý(1-12 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Typically offered in Fall only

FPSÌý885ÌýÌýDoctoral Supervised TeachingÌýÌý(1-3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

FPSÌý890ÌýÌýDoctoral Preliminary ExamÌýÌý(1-9 credit hours)ÌýÌý

For students who are preparing for and taking written and/or oral preliminary exams.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

FPSÌý893ÌýÌýDoctoral Supervised ResearchÌýÌý(1-9 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

FPSÌý895ÌýÌýDoctoral Dissertation ResearchÌýÌý(1-9 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Dissertation research.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

FPSÌý896ÌýÌýSummer Dissertation ResearchÌýÌý(1 credit hours)ÌýÌý

For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Summer only

FPSÌý899ÌýÌýDoctoral Dissertation PreparationÌýÌý(1-9 credit hours)ÌýÌý

For students who have completed all credit hour, full-time enrollment, preliminary examination, and residency requirements for the doctoral degree, and are writing and defending their dissertations.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring