The doctoral degree in Applied Physics and Materials Science enables students to engage in a research-intensive course of study. While many students may naturally gravitate toward research that is highly transdisciplinary in both physics and materials science (e.g. synthesis and characterization of quantum materials or nanomechanics of materials), some students will gravitate to more fundamental Applied Physics or Materials Science topics. For example, students more inclined toward Applied Physics may gravitate toward fundamental research related to technical applications of quantum mechanics, physical phenomena, biophysics, technology development, etc. Whereas students more inclined toward Materials Science may gravitate toward fundamental research related to control of materials synthesis, multi-scaled assembly, or meso-, nano-technology applications.
Our research degree program is strengthened by committed mentorship and professional development training, with students benefiting from a broad range of internal collaborations, including but not limited to: Center for Bioengineering Innovation; The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute; Mechanical Engineering; Chemistry; School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems; and the Center for Materials Interface Research and Applications. Further, students will be engaged in regional and national collaborations.
The PhD Program in Applied Physics and Materials Science prepares graduates for meaningful and fulfilling careers in the application of physics or materials science to critical areas of national need.
To receive a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses, from one or more disciplines, ranging from at least 60 - 109 units of graduate-level courses. Most plans require research, a dissertation, and comprehensive exams. All plans have residency requirements regarding time spent on the Flagstaff campus engaged in full-time study.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 60 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Required |
| Dissertation | Dissertation is required. |
| Comprehensive Exam | Comprehensive Exam is required. |
| Oral Defense | Oral Defense is required. |
| Research | Individualized research is required. |
| Emphasis Required | An emphasis is required for this degree. |
Purpose Statement
The creation of the PhD program in Applied Physics and Materials Science will position NAU to attract students to a unique state program. Students within this research-intensive PhD program may pursue emphasis in either: Applied Physics (e.g. condensed matter physics, application of quantum phenomena to materials) or Materials Science (e.g. interfacial science, soft or hard materials synthesis, analytical method development). Each student within the program will complete common courses to provide the students with a breadth of knowledge in physics and materials science, while also creating a common language for scientific collaboration. Each student may then focus their area of coursework study with electives taken within or external to the program.
The Applied Physics and Materials Science PhD program, with institutional support, will have a launch date of Fall, 2019. This new academic plan will be supported within the College of Engineering, Informatics and Applied Sciences, however academic mentors to PhD students will be from units within CEAIS and CEFNS. Students completing their PhD in this program will be conferred a degree in Applied Physics and Materials Science, with emphases in Applied Physics or Materials Science.
Applied Physics: This area of emphasis is focused on condensed matter physics and is the application of physics to technological targets, such as materials science. This area of research is a direct bridge between traditional phenomena-based science to application-based engineering. Applied Physics does not necessarily seek to integrate physics into products or devices, but instead the practical application space drives the fundamental Physics-based questioning. While focused on fundamental studies, research in this area can be transformative and have tremendous impacts that lead to development of new breakthrough technologies (e.g. in the areas of quantum information, laser development, microscopy and spectroscopy development, etc.). Students with a B.S. in Physics, Applied Physics or Engineering will typically create this cohort, however students from other disciplines with fundamentals in Physics and Mathematics capable of transitioning to advanced quantum mechanics and thermodynamics may also participate.
Materials Science: Materials science is inherently a transdisciplinary field and one in which the core fundamentals shift depending on the desired emphasis. Materials science is often considered to be a subdiscipline of engineering and thus PhD programs in this area often closely resemble traditional Engineering discipline programs. In the proposed program, however, the area of emphasis is focused on the use of the physical sciences (chemistry, physics) to describe, understand and synthesize quantum and multi-scaled materials. This area of focus encompasses electronic, photonic, magnetic and mechanical hard and soft materials and involves synthesis and characterization of quantum materials as well as their integration into multi-scaled and adaptive assemblies. Students with B.S. degrees in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering and the Biological Sciences will create this transdisciplinary cohort.
The proposed PhD emphases and APMS program create transdisciplinary opportunities while enabling disciplinary rigor. Both are achieved through program designs intended to create PhDs with breadth of knowledge and diverse scientific appreciation while simultaneously creating rigorous educational and research training paths. Breadth of knowledge will be achieved through core courses designed to 1) create a common language; and 2) encourage engagement outside of areas of expertise. This is achieved through core course(s) that are team-taught and provide exposure to multiple areas of applied physics and materials science. The goal is to create a common language and appreciation that encourages students to move beyond their comfort zone. Scientific rigor will be achieved by allowing PhD students to select the majority of their curriculum from a list of acceptable electives combined with their PhD thesis research. Each PhD student’s curriculum will be tailored and created in conjunction with the student’s PhD advisor and APMS faculty advisors. The goal is to create PhD scientists capable of not only contributing to emerging cross-sector opportunities, but actually driving transdisciplinary research. Being trained to work collaboratively with researchers from a multitude of fields, these transdisciplinary scientists will be uniquely positioned to excel in leading cross-sector research projects and teams. The transdisciplinary nature of this program with the ‘individualized’ PhD curriculum will enable student and faculty participation from CEIAS and CEFNS academic units.
Student Learning Outcomes
Core Applied Physics and Materials Science Outcomes
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
This Doctoral degree requires 60 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 60 units:
Applied Physics and Materials Science Foundations (11 units)
Applied Physics and Materials Science Professional Communication (9 units)
Emphasis Requirement - Select One (15 units)
Graduate Research (12 units)
Reading for Comprehensive Exam (3 units)
Dissertation (10 units)
Milestones:
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.