With the help of a Special Committee, each student in the field plans an individualized course of study linking his or her background and interests with the extensive educational resources of Cornell University. In addition, two minor areas of study are required of Ph.D. students and one minor area is required of M.S. and M.A. students. Often students select minors in the physical sciences, engineering, economics, marketing, computer science, communication, or other fields in the Graduate School. Potential Ph.D. students should have an M.S. in textile chemistry, textile science, polymer science, engineering, chemistry, physics, applied mathematics, or a similar discipline. Applicants may be required to make up any deficiencies before admission or as part of the requirements for the degree.
Many faculty are members of more than one field.
Students often select their Special Committees in such a way as to bring together the expertise available from various places across the campus. The Research Centers and other university-wide programs also bring together workers with a special interest in a common theme. Programs that are sponsored by government agencies or by industry may have co-principal investigators from diverse areas. Jointly sponsored seminars and courses in polymers are another feature of the program at Cornell. It has been university policy to encourage and facilitate the interdisciplinary approach.