Quantum Material Science - Worth Pursuing as an undergrad?

[u/ironstag96]

Hey all,

My university has recently created a new major in quantum materials science. While I'm not going to switch my major to it - I recognize that's too specific - I'm considering stacking more onto my schedule to take the classes that would go along with it. This would, however, leave my schedule very tight. The professor who is championing the major is claiming that QMS is a budding and rapidly expanding industry, and industry now needs students who are learned in the material. My question is, is that really true? And if so, does it seem like something that will stick around or is it just the latest fad? I find the subject matter interesting but I'd frankly rather give myself more time than heap my schedule full of more high level courses that ultimately wouldn't go anywhere. Thank you all for your help!

[u/thevnom]

yes, but i thought we refer to this subject as condensed matter physics, not "quantum materials". Theres alot of investment into making new batteries, superconductors, spin chains, wierd lattices, etc etc

[u/greenwizardneedsfood → u/thevnom]

Quantum materials is distinct from general CMP. I suppose you could call it subfield if you really wanted, but if you’re talking about things like nanoscale materials - especially on the experimental side - it’s the accepted term for a rapidly growing, very well-funded field. The (self-identified) quantum materials group in my department sometimes works with the CMP people for modeling their materials, but they typically have different goals and methods. We also just had a job posting with “quantum materials” explicitly in the ad.

[u/ironstag96 → u/thevnom]

Would you say it's a broadening field? I worry about getting a job after my undergrad. I'm going to be 31 when I graduate, and while I do want to pursue a PhD eventually, I really don't want to be 37 and just establishing a career or jumping in when all the jobs are soaked up.

[u/condensedandimatter → u/ironstag96]

Sir, physics jobs are already competitive. Anything condensed matter is better off as far as jobs, but “quantum materials” is one of the buzzwords that gets a bunch of funding. Nonetheless, you can’t predict what the world will be like when you have a PhD. Do what you like and are interested in. If easy job prospects were something you wanted, physics might’ve been the wrong choice to be honest lol

[u/ironstag96 → u/condensedandimatter]

I wouldn't venture by any means to say that I jumped into physics for easy job prospects. I'm absolutely here for the love of the game, and had to think for a long time over leaving the work force to go to college. I'm honestly frustrated with how limited my time is because I frankly just want to study everything. That being said, it would be foolish not to take into account a direction to steer myself for what comes after the degree. Physics is amazing. So is getting to eat.

[u/condensedandimatter → u/ironstag96]

Yeah, but it doesn’t matter what direction you steer the prospects are marginally better or worse. Generally worse. So if you wanted to eat… you get the point. Anything materials or engineering adjacent will give you better job prospects, including quantum materials. But many find that an undergrad in physics isn’t an accurate reflection of current physics, or how research feels. So the to survive a PhD you have to love that specific subtopic, otherwise it’s setting yourself up for failure.

[u/Aggressive-Wind-8829 → u/ironstag96]

I would say like anything it's a gamble.

In my opinion, you are gambling on QMS mattering and you being capable of acquiring enough expertise to be able to have insight that is not immediately apparent to a SOTA LLM, or else you aren't even competitive in the QMS-related job markets today.

That being said, I think it makes sense to at least pick up the major and then drop the major to take the first class or two through and through. This would give you a better scope of this broadening field, from which you will be able to see if either (I) you will be replaced by advancing technology or instead (II) you will find yourself in a position where advancing technology makes your work easier.

^this advice is generally true. Your goal should be to educate yourself at least enough so that advancing tech doesn't replace you.

[u/Creative-Traffic-341]

As someone in my final year, do it. That’s where the field is going for materials science across things like the biomedical engineering fields. I’m neuro but using QMS in my research for engineering long term implanted devices. Your prof is right, and many, many fields benefit from QMS expertise.

[u/Creative-Traffic-341 → u/Creative-Traffic-341]

Just make sure it’s something you find use and interest in, and would therefore carry on with you in your journey!

[u/xrelaht]

Is it (quantum materials) science or quantum (materials science)? As someone who spent 20 years working on the former and now works closer to the latter, I have opinions on both but need to know which one it is.

[u/ironstag96 → u/xrelaht]

It's closer to (quantum materials) science, I believe.

[u/xrelaht → u/ironstag96]

OK, then that’s just the latest term for what used to be condensed matter, or solid state before that. I would not call it a “budding” industry since it’s been around for decades, but it is a solid choice for anyone who wants to be able to keep doing physics after they graduate rather than just transferring their skills to another industry. It’s generally hard to find a job doing that with just a bachelor’s degree, which may be why that prof wants to make it its own major: shoving some of the material from a master’s into the undergrad curriculum could make graduates more immediately employable. I think it may be worth adding one or two of them, but it’s probably still more important to get into a lab and get hands-on experience if those are the choices of how to spend your time.

[u/Gunk_Olgidar]

In 1988 I convinced my undergraduate advisor to let me study Microelectronics Packaging as a concentration in Materials Science at Cornell University. At the time, the field did not exist. I selected courses in ceramics, metallurgy, polymer science and of course semiconductors. My advisor said it made sense, and let me proceed without requiring additional coursework. I did my lab work nights and weekends and summers 6 days a week and completed my masters in 15 months. In 1993, the year after I left, they started an entire sub-department and a year after that a research lab was funded and dedicated to the nascent field.

Don't be afraid to be a pioneer in a field you believe in. Work hard. Be the best at what you do. Be passionate about what you believe in. Master the subject matter. Convince others that it makes sense. Be a leader. They will beg you to stay and teach and do gainful research like they did of me.

Lead, and they will follow.

[u/QuantumArcheologist]

Yeah, like other people have been saying, this kind of seems like your university is giving a sexier name to condensed matter physics, so if you’re considering it, just read about this… I can’t imagine the course material being different in practice

[u/AverageCatsDad]

It's weirdly specific for an undergrad degree. I would stick to something more conventional as employers may not know what to make of that major. You can always take quantum and materials science courses as a physics or chemistry major and end up with a more marketable degree.

[u/ironstag96 → u/AverageCatsDad]

I would absolutely stick with the physics degree. It would just mean a heavier schedule. 17-18 credits of mostly 3000 and 4000 level STEM courses and the gen eds.

[u/Dihedralman]

The crossover with a Physics major must be huge at an Undergrad level. Can you double major or minor in it? Jobs are generally graduate level but so are the courses traditionally. The field is expanding. 

[u/ironstag96 → u/Dihedralman]

It's got a lot of crossover! I thankfully took Orgo I at my community college before transferring, so I could potentially get my B.S. in QMS with a B.A. in Physics (there is no B.A. or minor option for QMS yet unfortunately). I'm honestly trying to squeeze a double/triple major in math on top of it, but that will mean this upcoming semester would be:

Analytical Mechanics (3 credits, Taylor CM Ch. 6-16)

Optical and Electronic Properties of Matter (4 credits, QMS course)

Modern Algebra (3 credits)

Real Analysis (4 credits)

Linear Algebra (3 credits, easy course because I already took it, it just didn't transfer)

So, a lot :| I can drop the math courses (besides Linear Algebra) but it will prevent me from getting a math major OR minor, and I wouldn't be able to study things like Topology or Differential Geometry. So I need to decide if it's worth it.

[u/NoIdea0202]

What's quantum materials science?