PhD in Fiber Science in Ithaca United States | Cornell University

The discipline primarily examines fibrous materials and their applications in clothing, structural engineering (including composite materials), biomedical uses, and home decor. Fiber Science and Apparel Design is a practical, interdisciplinary field, with faculty from both Human Ecology and Engineering Colleges. Students must build expertise in their core discipline while acquiring supplementary knowledge to support their specialization. Current research initiatives cover high-performance fibers, eco-friendly composites, surface chemistry and cleaning, fragrance-infused textiles, medical and geotechnical textile applications, electronic polymers, liquid-crystal polymers, textile dye chemistry, fiber crystal structures, electrospinning techniques, cellulose studies, fashion and apparel design, design ethnography, garment sizing and fit, specialized clothing, historical and cultural textile studies, mass customization, and apparel industry technology management.

Ph.D. candidates must assemble a committee of at least four members: one representing their major, one for each minor focus, and a fourth appointed by the Graduate Studies Director. Both written and oral candidacy exams, along with a final oral defense, are mandatory for the Ph.D. No foreign language proficiency is required.