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Nov 23, 2025
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2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Physics BS/Materials Design and Innovation MS
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 Return to: Majors and Combined Degrees
Think big-or small-or anywhere in between. From subatomic particles to the ever-expanding universe, physics explains the natural phenomena all around us, and serves as the foundation for chemistry, astronomy and many other scientific fields. If you have questions about how the world works, physics is where you’ll find the answers. Whether you want to discover black holes, invent faster computer chips or become a teacher, physics lets you be a force in the world.
Visit the Physics academic program page for more information about the academic experience, who you will learn from, opportunities outside of class and what you can do with this degree.
Visit the Physics department page for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.
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Admission criteria
Students apply to the combined degree program during their fifth semester of undergraduate study, need to maintain a 3.0 or above GPA, and provide two reference letters on their behalf. Undergraduate Course Requirements
Physics Core (74 credits)
Graduate Course Requirements
Materials Design and Innovation Courses (30 credits)
Materials Design and Innovation Core Courses (24 credits): - MDI 501LEC - Introduction to Materials Design and Informatics Credits: 3
- MDI 502LEC - Quant Structure-Property Relationship in Materials Credits: 3
- MDI 503LEC - Thermodynamics and Molecular Structure of Materials Credits: 3
- MDI 504LEC - Multivariate Statistics and Materials Informatics Credits: 3
- MDI 505LEC - Computational Materials Chemistry and Physics Credits: 3
- MDI 506LEC - Kinetics, Microstructure, and Defects Credits: 3
- MDI 507LEC - Quantitative Methods in Materials Characterization Credits: 3
- MDI 508LEC - Experimental Design for Materials Development Credits: 3
Content Area Elective (Choose one for 3 credits): - CE 530LEC - Molecular Modeling Credits: 3
- CSE 555LEC - Introduction to Pattern Recognition Credits: 3
- CSE 674LEC - Advanced Machine Learning
- IE 576LEC - Applied Stochastic Proc
- IE 671LEC - Nonlinear Programming
- IE 675LEC - Game Theory
- MAE 529LEC - Finite Element Structure Analysis
- MAE 540LEC - Computational Fluid Dynamics 2
- MAE 541LEC - Topics Finite Elements
- MTH 511LEC - Probability Theory
- MTH 731LEC - Functional Analysis
- STA 504LEC - Introduction to Applied Statistics II
- STA 517LEC - Categorical Data Analysis
- STA 522LEC - Intro Theoretical Stat 2
- STA 561LEC - Longitudinal Data Analysis
- STA 581LEC - Multivar Data Analysis
Culminating Experience (Choose one for 3 credits): - MDI 700 Project Guidance
- MDI 701 Thesis Guidance
- One extra Content Core Elective plus a 0 credit Comprehensive Exam
Total Credits Required for Undergraduate Major: 74
Additional Degree Requirements Include:
- Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements
- Elective courses as needed to complete the 133 credit hour total
Total Undergraduate Credits Required: 120
Total Graduate Credits Required: 30
Total Credits Required for Graduation: 133
Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This should not be used for financial aid purposes. Program Distinction
A student in this major is eligible for Program Distinction upon degree conferral if the criteria are met. Criteria are found under Academic Honors in the Policy and Procedure section of this Catalog. Program Distinction is noted on the official transcript. Curricular Plan
A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit. All students are encouraged to use this plan in conjunction with other academic planning resources such as your academic advisor, the HUB Academic Advisement Report, My Planner and Path Finder tool. In addition to following this course roadmap, all other admission and academic requirements of this major as listed in the Undergraduate Catalog must be met in order to successfully complete this degree.
YEAR 1
Fall Semester Spring Semester
YEAR 2
Fall Semester Spring Semester
YEAR 3
Fall Semester Spring Semester
YEAR 4
Fall Semester Spring Semester - PHY 404LEC - Electricity and Magnetism II Credits: 3
- MDI 502 - Quantitative Structure-Property Relationships in Materials Credits: 3
- MDI 506 - Kinetics, Microstructure and Defects Credits: 3
- MDI 507 - Quantitative Methods for Material Characterization Credits: 3
- MDI 508 - Experimental Design for Materials Development Credits: 3
Total Credits: 15
YEAR 5
Fall Semester - MDI 503 - Thermodynamics and Molecular Structure of Materials Credits: 3
- MDI 505 - Computational Materials Chemistry and Physics Credits: 3
- MDI Content area elective Credits: 3
- MDI Culminating experience Credits: 3
Total Credits: 12
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 133 Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement. Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge of: - Students can identify basic/core laws of physics, describe the variables they contain, and relate them to observed natural phenomena.
- Students can derive analytic solutions to new or complex problems.
- Students can collect experimental data, analyze results and uncertainties quantitatively, present data graphically, and compare physical models with experimental results.
- Students become familiarized with contemporary areas of physics research and can implement modern research techniques, including computational methods.
- Students can present scientific results in the format of scientific journals with appropriate citation methods and present findings in conference-style talks.
(HEGIS: 19.02 PHYSICS-GEN-NO BIOPHYSCS, CIP: 40.0801 Physics, General |
Return to: Majors and Combined Degrees
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