Applied Physical Sciences

The Department of Applied Physical Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an interdisciplinary graduate program that brings together faculty members from chemistry, mathematics, physics and astronomy, chemistry, and various departments across the University to engage in research and training in applications of the physical sciences. The primary areas of emphasis in the program are optical and electronic materials, nanomaterials, polymers, and biomaterials. Students pursuing M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in materials science begin their studies with a core curriculum covering the fundamentals of materials, including their structures, surfaces, fabrication, thermodynamics, and materials science laboratory techniques. They continue with elective courses offered by the curriculum or the other departments as appropriate to their area of research concentration. Graduate students engage in research under the supervision of one of the participating materials science faculty in the Department of Applied Physical Sciences.

The M.S. degree requirements include completion of a suitable set of courses, cumulative written comprehensive exams, a research project, and a final oral exam. The general regulations of The Graduate School govern credit hour, residency, and examination requirements.

All graduate students must pass the following courses or appropriate ones approved by the curriculum, or must have passed their equivalents elsewhere:

Comprehensive Exam

M.S. students must pass three core exams and one specialty exam. Topics for the specialty exams will be research areas represented in the materials science program at UNC–Chapel Hill; core exams cover the fundamental knowledge of materials science. All students are required to complete the comprehensive exam by the end of their second year.

• Application fee (non-refundable $85)
• Transcripts (complete, not selected courses)
  • One unofficial transcript from each university attended must be uploaded within the application. All unofficial transcripts must be uploaded to your application in order for your application to be reviewed. Please do not mail transcripts as part of your admission application; we only accept unofficial uploads for application evaluation. If you are offered admission, one official transcript for each university attended will be required prior to the first day of the term.
• Current letters of recommendation
  • The email address of three recommenders will be required within the application for electronic submission.
• Standardized test scores
  • (GRE, GMAT, etc.; no more than 5 years old.)
• Statement of purpose
• Resume/CV
• TOEFL or IELTS score (no more than two years old)
• Completed financial certificate

Scholarships

Teaching assistantships are available to qualified graduate students. The duties of teaching assistants include teaching laboratory sections, assisting in the supervision of advanced laboratories, teaching recitation sections, and grading papers. Summer support is generally available. Research assistantships are also offered.