Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Materials Science, Master of Science


Academic Information

The Master of Science in Materials Science prepares graduates for meaningful and fulfilling careers in materials science or other science/engineering career paths.  In particular, this program is focused on developing skill sets attractive to national lab and industrial partners. 

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Materials Science, Master of Science


Careers

What Can I Do with a Master of Science in Materials Science?

Students who complete this program will be positioned to work as high-level technicians in industry and/or national lab positions.  Graduates will also be qualified for lecturer and/or professor positions in non-PhD granting programs.  Students who wish to further their education can do so and will be equipped to explore PhD programs in Physics, Applied Physics, Materials Science and Materials Engineering, Chemistry, etc.  

This program has been largely informed by the skill sets desired by national lab/industry partners.  There exists a need for personnel with strong foundations in the physical sciences capable of performing work in the applied and materials science sectors that represent both a current and future direction in national lab and industry settings.  At the same time, the skill sets obtained will make graduates attractive to academic units as well with an ability to work as science or engineering faculty.   

Career opportunities that might be pursued:
  • Careers at national laboratories 
  • Careers at industrial laboratory settings. 
  • Careers in basic chemistry to physics, applied careers physics, informatics, mechanical engineering, and materials science.  
  • High-level technicians 
  • Faculty in non-PhD granting programs.  

With further education, one of these paths is possible:
  • National laboratory scientist 
  • Group leader
  • Tenure-track faculty member 
  • Industry program lead 
  • Academic, industry or national lab administration.

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Materials Science, Master of Science


University Requirements

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Materials Science, Master of Science


Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

Minimum Units for Completion 43
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

Thesis Thesis is required.
Oral Defense Oral Defense is required.
Research Individualized research is required.
Some online/blended coursework Required
Progression Plan Link View Program of Study

Purpose Statement

This graduate program is the first of its kind in Arizona. There is no other Materials Science programs in Arizona  based a scientific foundation, yet funding agencies and institutions are recognizing their intrinsic connections, (e.g. the recent Q-AMASE-i call by NSF that directly targets development of highly transdisciplinary quantum foundries). Within the country the vast majority of Materials Science programs exist as extensions of engineering departments and largely those programs have historically focused on traditional engineering areas of materials science. The proposed MS program in Materials Science will be a foundational program within the new College of Engineering, Informatics and Applied Sciences (CEIAS) and the Department of Applie Physics and 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 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 MS program is designed to create transdisciplinary opportunities while enabling disciplinary rigor. Both are achieved through program designs intended to create graduates 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 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 students to select from a list of acceptable electives combined with their thesis research. Each student’s curriculum will be tailored and created in conjunction with the graduate advisor and APMS faculty advisors. The goal is to create 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 as participants in cross-sector research projects and teams. The transdisciplinary nature of this program with the ‘individualized’ curriculum will enable student and faculty participation from CEIAS and CEFNS academic units.

Student Learning Outcomes

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Materials Science, Master of Science


Details

Graduate Admission Information
Additional Admission Requirements
Master's Requirements
Additional Information
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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science

Materials Science, Master of Science


Campus Availability

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