Condensed Matter and Materials Physics

Also known as: Materials Physics, Solid State Physics

A program that focuses on the scientific study of macroscopic physical phenomena and properties that arise from basic microscopic interactions. Includes instruction in low-temperature and solid-state physics, x-ray physics, liquids and soft materials, including the study of semiconductors, metals,

Condensed Matter PhysicsMaterials PhysicsSolid-State PhysicsSemiconductor PhysicsPhysicsResearch & DevelopmentMaterials EngineeringScienceSTEMResearch

A Week as a Student

Your "Introductory Physics I" lecture reviews energy conservation, setting up complex problems. Later, you tackle a challenging "Calculus II" problem set, feeling the mental strain. After dinner, you meet with your study group, collaborating on a "General Chemistry" concept mapping assignment. You spend an hour debugging a Python script for a numerical methods assignment, finally getting it to plot thermal expansion data correctly. A small victory before bed.

High School Preparation

Required Subjects

PhysicsCalculusChemistryAdvanced Functions

Recommended GPA

3.5-4.0

Advanced Courses (AP/IB/Honors)

AP Physics C
AP Calculus BC
IB Physics HL

Core Subjects

Click on "i" to learn more about each subject

Career Prospects

Growing Study Prospects

Graduates pursue roles as research scientists, materials engineers, or physicists in industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, renewable energy, aerospace, and defense. Opportunities also extend to academia and national research laboratories, developing new technologies and solutions.

Impact of AI on this Study

AI significantly impacts this field by accelerating materials discovery, design, and optimization through advanced computational simulations, data analysis, and predictive modeling. It enables rapid characterization of material properties and guides experimental research.

Duration

4 years

Offered At

Iowa State University

Related Studies

Chemistry, General

Bachelor

Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology

Bachelor

Geochemistry

Bachelor

Planetary Astronomy and Science

Bachelor