Our program has been hailed by
the American Institute of Physics (AIP) as among the unranked list of the top 13 programs of Master's-granting institutions nationwide. The faculty have extensive experience in industry, government agencies, and academics in fields ranging from electrostatics for NASA missions, to nano-scale materials characterization, to stellar and Earth atmospheric studies, to granular flows and fluid dynamics. Primarily, the curriculum and faculty are focussed on the
Physics of Engineering - specifically of the study and development of instrumentation and automation for applications such as remote sensing, signal processing, astronomical control systems, and manufacturing and testing controls and robotics.
What is a Professional Science Master's?
The Professional Science Master's (PSM) is an innovative, new graduate degree designed to allow students to pursue advanced training in science or mathematics, while simultaneously developing workplace skills highly valued by employers. PSM programs consist of two years of academic training in an emerging or interdisciplinary area, along with a professional component that may include internships and "cross-training" in business and communications. All have been developed in concert with industry and are designed to dovetail into present and future professional career opportunities.
PSM Graduates are...
- Interdisciplinary scientists.
- PSM students receive advanced training at the cutting-edge interfaces of science and technology. The combination of science with professional skills and experience means PSM graduates require minimal additional training, saving employers time and money in professional development.
- Excellent communicators.
- PSM students are often trained in business management, conflict management and negotiation, writing, and presentation skills. The "science-plus" training prepares the PSM graduate to serve as the liaison between corporate research groups and business administration, or to even handle the job of both groups.
- Innovative problem-solvers.
- The PSM capstone experience is a team-oriented, multidisciplinary research project addressing challenges and opportunities in the real world. The PSM graduate’s capstone and internship experiences prepare them to hit the ground running for your company.
Why a PSM at Appalachian?
- Makes physicists marketable as scientists, engineers, and software developers, while instilling industry experience and know-how
- Applicable across many industries – high demand skill set that meets the demands of North Carolina and national labor force
- Builds on a successful and nationally recognized graduate program in Engineering Physics at Appalachian
