In North Carolina, manufacturing employs about 10% of the workforce but accounts for about 70% of the state output. In order to sustain this workforce, Fayetteville State University has introduced a new Materials Science & Manufacturing degree. 

FSU began developing this program in 2022. It was approved in 2024 and now the goal is to increase awareness of this new degree path with hopes of having it up and running in the fall of 2025.

Materials Science is an interdisciplinary field studying the materials syntheses, their structures, properties and applications. Various materials, including metals and alloys, ceramics, polymers and composites, are widely used. These materials have been manufactured in the production industry, including aircraft, automobiles, electronics, household appliances, semiconductors, and sporting goods.

Materials Science is a fundamental field in developing new materials and then characterizing the properties of those materials to find suitable applications for them. This process involves taking into account the mechanical and physical properties of materials and then using that analysis to produce valuable goods in the marketplace.

This program fills a great need in our state’s workforce. Currently, only NC State offers a manufacturing program. FSU’s Materials Science & Manufacturing program offers two concentrations: (1) General Concentration; and (2) Computation Concentration.

The general concentration program places an emphasis on hands-on skills, such as the skills highlighted above in identifying the properties of materials. The computation concentration is a more technological focus with an emphasis on computational skills to complete tasks such as using AI to predict the properties of new materials.

Through this program FSU wants to help build a more diverse manufacturing workforce in the state that is better equipped in newer technology. Going beyond traditional machining to master more advanced tech such as additive manufacturing and 3D printing to generate even greater results. These processes require working with complex alloys and more meticulous measurements are necessary to keep pace with the market. 

With manufacturing being an interdisciplinary field, students can utilize these advanced manufacturing skills in other industries, such as agriculture, which is a major component of southeastern NC’s economy or through work with the military at Fort Bragg. 

This program provides a great opportunity for students who want to be in the manufacturing arena but don’t necessarily want to fulfill the responsibilities of an engineer such as drafting and planning. Materials scientists are crucial to the ever-evolving tech-oriented marketplace, and FSU’s new degree program aims to supply a well-prepared workforce to fill these gaps in the industry.