Department of Bioengineering

Program Objectives

The objectives of the Master of Science degrees in Textile Technology and Textile Chemistry are:

To supply graduates qualified to assume leadership roles in the textile industry
To provide a sound education essential to developing the student’s ability to initiate and conduct independent investigations.
To develop a comprehensive understanding of the student’s major area of interest through course work, independent study, and a thesis endeavor that ensures the student has developed a logical and creative mind.

Graduate studies in textile technology provide advanced studies in the science and technology of fibrous materials, the conversion of these into related structures and, as well, their chemical and physical performance. Students of textile chemistry study advanced applications of chemistry to the coloration and alteration of the functional properties of textile structures. Both programs address fundamental science and technology and, as well, the applicable technology of manufacturing. We encourage our students to participate in our extensive internship program.

The Materials and Textiles building has large laboratory spaces devoted to research and education, with equipment for the processing of yarn from the raw material and the conversion of these yarns into various textile structures from wovens and knits to composites and specialty products. Equipment is also available for dyeing small lots of fibers, yarns, and fabrics both atmospherically and under pressure; applying various chemical finishes; experimenting with wet finishing operations, and evaluating performance properties during all processing stages. Textiles graduate students have done research and development work in many industry settings in the area as well as in the on-campus Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Center.

UMass Dartmouth has joined five different universities in membership in the National Textile Center. This Center has awarded at least a $500,000 grant for each of the past four years, to support textile research projects by the Department of Materials and Textiles. The grant funds research and provides stipends for graduate student assistantships.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit the required application materials to the Graduate Office. In addition, the following considerations apply:

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required of all applicants.
Applicants are further required to submit a comprehensive statement of educational objectives and goals, which would accompany the student’s application.
Each applicant will be examined in light of his or her academic record as well as specific work experience.

Candidates for Textiles graduate programs will have completed BS degrees in Materials and Textiles, Textile Engineering, Textile Technology, or other engineering or applied science and technology fields. Successful applicants with degrees in other disciplines may be required to undertake foundation courses prior to advancement to candidacy for a degree in Materials and Textiles. The foundation courses required will be determined in accordance with the student’s background, interests, and goals.

Financial Assistance

A number of assistantships are available on a competitive basis. Indicate your interest on the admissions application form. The department offers research assistantships associated with a variety of research grants and contracts, including projects sponsored by the National Textile Center.

Other assistance, such as loans or work-study, may be available to you. In addition, graduate students in both Textile Technology and Textile Chemistry at UMass Dartmouth who come from Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont qualify under the New England Regional Student Program for a significant reduction in out-of-state tuition. For information on both aspects, please refer to the chapter on “Expenses and Financial Assistance.”

Faculty and Fields of Interest

Brigham, Christopher Assistant Professor of Bioengineering (2013), BS 1995 Villanova University, PhD 2006 Tufts University. Specializations: Metabolic Engineering, Bio-based, Biodegradable Polymers, Biofuels, Environmental Microbiology, and Bioprocessing

Fan, Qingou (Chairperson) Professor of Bioengineering (1998), BS 1982, MS 1988 China Textile University, PhD 1995 University of Leeds. Specializations: Textile chemistry, dyeing and finishing, chemical analysis, organic synthesis.

Ferreira, Tracie (Graduate Program Director) Associate Professor of Bioengineering (2005), BA (1990 Biology/Chemistry, Wheaton College, (1996) Ph.D. in Microbiology, Georgetown University, Specializations: Molecular Biology, Developmental Biology, Tissue Engineering.

Kim, Yong Ku Chancellor Professor of Bioengineering (1981), BS 1970, MS 1974 Seoul National University, Korea, PhD 1980 North Carolina State University. Specializations: Fiber/polymer physics, composite materials, structural mechanics of fibrous structures, medical textiles, digital printing and color physics.

Vasudev, Milana Assistant Professor of Bioengineering (2014), BE 2003 Visveshwariah Technological University, MS 2006 University of Illinois at Chicago, PhD 2010 University of Illinois at Chicago. Specialization: Bioinspired Nanomaterials, Biomimetics, Vapor Phase Deposition of Organic Nanostructure Arrays, Synthesis and Modification of Semiconductor and Polymeric nanostructures.

Contact

Dr Tracie Ferreira
Graduate Program Director, Bioengineering
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
285 Old Westport Road
North Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300
508 999-6537
tferriera@umassd.edu