Texas State cleared to offer new doctoral degree

Posted by University News Service

Oct. 27, 2011

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has approved a new doctoral program for Texas State University-San Marcos that is aimed directly at making Texas and the United States more competitive in the world economy.

Beginning with the 2012 spring semester, Texas State will offer a Doctor of Philosophy major in Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization in the College of Science and Engineering.

The program is designed to produce doctoral level scientists who will contribute to the research and development of materials to be used in the next generation of electronics, medicines, plastics, sensors and renewable energy. The curriculum will combine commercialization with science and engineering to develop scientists who have an understanding of intellectual property law, business planning and competency in transforming innovations from the laboratory to commercial production.  

“This exciting new doctoral program couples commercialization with science and engineering, exemplifying Texas State’s focus on applied research and industrial outreach,” said Eugene Bourgeois, Texas State provost and vice president of academic affairs. “Graduates of this program will be tomorrow’s scientific innovators and entrepreneurs.”

The new degree program aligns with several goals of the State of Texas, including strengthening university commercialization offices; ensuring successful partnerships between private entities and universities; stimulating the development of technology incubators; increasing science, technology, engineering and math education efforts; and increasing college graduation rates in those degree areas.

Some of the research and commercialization undertaken in the new degree program will take place at the university’s STAR (Science, Technology and Advanced Research) Park, currently under construction at the intersection of McCarty Lane and Hunter Road in San Marcos.

That new facility will serve as a technology accelerator for startup and early stage businesses and will provide university and STAR tenants access to secure wet labs, clean rooms and office space.