Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Quantum Materials Science, offered by the Department of Physics, provides both a strong preparation for those wishing to attend graduate school in materials science or related disciplines and for those who intend to enter the scientific workforce upon completion of a bachelor's degree. Students who wish to transfer into this program should consult first with the Physics faculty advisor.

The Bachelor of Science in Quantum Materials Science stands at the interface between physics, chemistry, computer and information science, and applied mathematics, with innovation and technology applications bridging to applied sciences. Its foundational structure is embedded in multiple College of Science and Technology (CST) disciplines. Quantum materials science is important as a research and education driver that reaches students in almost every discipline of science and technology. Graduates proficient in this area are more and more in demand. Indeed, the national initiative in Quantum Information Science makes it clear that Quantum Materials Science will be a focus for industry and academia. Temple's Bachelor of Science in Quantum Materials Science focuses on the science behind quantum materials science, and is not an engineering program.

As a discipline, Quantum Materials Science represents the confluence of quantum theory, computational design, synthesis and characterization, in a feedback loop to produce advanced materials for technology applications and subsequent processing by industry. Importantly, the theory and computational design component now harnesses artificial intelligence and machine learning to create heretofore unknown "designer" materials. These ideas are prominent in Department of Energy (DOE) and National Science Foundation "big ideas" such as the "Quantum Leap" that establish an understanding of complex matter-energy relationships, leading to next-generation quantum materials and technologies for sensing and computing, modeling, and communicating, from the micro- or nano-structure of materials to their physical, mechanical and chemical properties.

Quantum Materials Science evolved historically from the metallurgy of naturally occurring elements and their alloys (and glass) to embrace not only an enormous variety of "hard" elemental (metallic and semiconducting) alloys and oxide-based materials (superconductors, catalysts, etc.) that underpin technology applications, but also a vast array of "soft" materials including synthetic and natural polymers, as well as more recently the two-dimensional graphene-like constructs, which will be needed for future advanced/strategic technologies.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: ST-QMSC-BS

Distinction in Major

To graduate with distinction in this major, a student must satisfy the following criteria:

  • achieve a minimum 3.5 major GPA and
  • carry out an independent study or undergraduate thesis project.

Consult the undergraduate physics faculty advisor for more details.

Undergraduate Contact Information

Maria Iavarone, Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 440
215-204-7634

Alexander Gray
Science Education and Research Center, Room 442
215-204-8634

Matthew Newby, Faculty Advisor
Science Education and Research Center, Room 476
215-204-2642
matthew.newby@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Quantum Materials Science.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Bachelor of Science Requirements

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

  1. University Requirements (123 total s.h.)
    • Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
    • All undergraduate students must complete at least two writing-intensive courses for a total of at least six credits at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
      PHYS 2796Introduction to Modern Physics4
      SCTC 2396Writing for Science and Technology3
    • Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
      • See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.
      • Students who complete CST majors receive a waiver for 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
    • Students must satisfy general Temple University residency requirements.
  2. College Requirements
    • A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
      • A minimum of 45 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above).
    • Complete a one-credit first-year or transfer seminar.
      • SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar for every entering first-year CST student.
      • SCTC 2001 CST Transfer Seminar for every entering transfer CST student.
  3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (76-80 s.h.)
    A least 9 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 8 Physics courses must be completed at Temple.
    Chemistry
    Select one of the following:4
    General Chemistry I
    and General Chemistry Laboratory I
    Honors General Chemical Science I
    and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I
    Select one of the following:4
    General Chemistry II
    and General Chemistry Laboratory II
    Honors General Chemical Science II
    and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II
    Mathematics and Quantitative Methods
    MATH 1041Calculus I4
    or MATH 1941 Honors Calculus I
    MATH 1042Calculus II4
    or MATH 1942 Honors Calculus II
    MATH 2043Calculus III4
    or MATH 2943 Honors Calculus III
    Select one of the following3-4
    Differential Equations I
    Differential Equations with Linear Algebra
    Honors Differential Equations I
    SCTC 1013Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences3
    Physics
    Select one of the following:4
    Elementary Classical Physics I
    Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F)
    General Physics I
    Honors General Physics I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    Elementary Classical Physics II
    Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S)
    General Physics II
    Honors General Physics II (S)
    Select two of the following: 13
    Scientific Computing I
    Scientific Computing II
    Scientific Computing III
    PHYS 2796Introduction to Modern Physics (S)4
    PHYS 3702Optical and Electronic Properties of Materials (F)4
    PHYS 3703Quantum Materials: Properties, Characterization and Application (S)4
    PHYS 4502Theoretical/Computational Materials Science3
    Quantum Materials Science Electives
    Select five of the following:15-18
    Organic Chemistry I
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
    Organic Chemistry for Honors I
    and Organic Honors Laboratory I
    Organic Chemistry II
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
    Organic Chemistry for Honors II
    and Organic Honors Laboratory II
    Inorganic Chemistry
    Physical Chemistry Lecture I
    Crystallography and Diffraction
    Introduction to Polymer Chemistry 2
    Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I 3
    Computational Design of Novel and Quantum Materials
    Thermal Physics (F)
    Optics 4
    Introduction to Solid State Physics (S, even years) 5
    Engineering Statics
    Mechanics of Solids
    Material Science for Engineers
    Micro- to Nano-sized Machines
    Tribology and Surface Engineering
    Microscopy and Microanalysis of Materials
    Senior Capstone and Research
    3 credits of research in each semester of senior year
    Fall semester of senior year, select one of the following:3
    Undergraduate Research
    Undergraduate Research
    Spring semester of senior year, select one of the following:3
    Undergraduate Research
    Undergraduate Research
    Writing Intensive
    SCTC 2396Writing for Science and Technology3
    Total Credit Hours76-80
    (F) - Fall only course
    (S) - Spring only course
    1

    Students with prior programming experience may be prepared to begin in PHYS 3511. Please see a Physics Faculty Advisor for more information.

    2

    CHEM 2202 and CHEM 3301 are prerequisites for this course.

    3

    PHYS 2502 is a prerequisite for this course.

    4

    CHEM 3301 is a prerequisite for this course.

    5

    PHYS 3701 is a prerequisite for this course.

Suggested Academic Plan

Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.

Bachelor of Science in Quantum Materials Science

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
MATH 1041
Calculus I
or Honors Calculus I
4
Select one of the following: 4
Elementary Classical Physics I  
Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F)  
General Physics I  
Honors General Physics I (F)  
SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar 1
SCTC 1013 Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences 3
ENG 0802
Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW]
or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
4
 Credit Hours16
Spring
MATH 1042
Calculus II
or Honors Calculus II
4
Select one of the following: 4
Elementary Classical Physics II  
Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S)  
General Physics II  
Honors General Physics II (S)  
PHYS 2511 Scientific Computing I 1 1.5
IH 0851
Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours15.5
Year 2
Fall
Select one of the following: 4
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Laboratory I
 
Honors General Chemical Science I
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I
 
MATH 2043
Calculus III
or Honors Calculus III
4
Select one of the following: 3-4
Differential Equations I  
Differential Equations with Linear Algebra  
Honors Differential Equations I  
PHYS 3511 Scientific Computing II 1.5
Elective 3-2
 Credit Hours15.5
Spring
Select one of the following: 4
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Laboratory II
 
Honors General Chemical Science II
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II
 
PHYS 2796 Introduction to Modern Physics [WI] (S) 4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
IH 0852
Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
3
Elective 2
 Credit Hours16
Year 3
Fall
PHYS 3702 Optical and Electronic Properties of Materials 4
Quantum Materials Science Elective 1 2 3-4
GenEd Breadth Course 3-4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 1-0
 Credit Hours14-15
Spring
PHYS 3703 Quantum Materials: Properties, Characterization and Application 4
SCTC 2396 Writing for Science and Technology [WI] 3
Quantum Materials Science Elective 2 2 3-4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 3-1
 Credit Hours16-15
Year 4
Fall
PHYS 4502 Theoretical/Computational Materials Science 3
Select one of the following: 3
Undergraduate Research  
Undergraduate Research  
Quantum Materials Science Elective 3 2 3-4
Elective 3
Elective 3-2
 Credit Hours15
Spring
Select one of the following: 3
Undergraduate Research  
Undergraduate Research  
Quantum Materials Science Elective 4 2 3
Quantum Materials Science Elective 5 2 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours123
(F) - Fall only course
(S) - Spring only course
1

Students with prior programming experience may be prepared to begin in PHYS 3511 and complete the Scientific Computing requirement with PHYS 4511. Please see a Physics faculty advisor for more information.

2

Select from the Quantum Materials Science Electives list under Requirements.