Applied Physics-Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program, MS

    Program Description

    The KC Graduate Internship Program begins summer term with intensive course and lab work in one of five focus areas, two of which offer an applied physics major:

    Photovoltaic & Semiconductor Device Processing
    Optical Materials & Devices
    The course work and labs are designed to help students become more effective problem-solvers in industrial, research and national lab environments. Professional skills development is a centerpiece of the program, including resume writing, interviewing and networking.

    Historically close to 98% of our students complete internships and close to 90% of those receive regular job offers within three months of finishing their internships.

    This unique program is a good fit for students who want to begin a career in industry or a national lab - and those who hope to gather more data about the wide range of career opportunities available before contemplating a specific area of research for a PhD.

    Photovoltaic & Semiconductor Device Processing:

    Situated at the intersection of chemistry, physics and chemical engineering, the semiconductor (microelectronics) industry enables a greener, smarter, and more connected economy. The field has significant implications in society’s ability to support technology innovation and address the global energy crisis through applications in microprocessors, photovoltaics, LEDs and power transistors. For students who love to stay connected, semiconductor technology has driven advancements in the internet, 5G and IoT. And for tech geeks who love smart technology – iPhone, Fitbit, self-driving cars- this field is ripe with opportunities. The continued success of this vast, interdisciplinary, and sophisticated yet innovative industry is deemed critical to long-term U.S. national competitiveness, which translates into impactful and well-paid job opportunities for those who choose to join this sector.

    Alumni from this track work in a wide variety of engineering and management roles in manufacturing, hardware development, materials research, battery development, supply chain, research & development, and analytics. Skills developed in this track transfer to a myriad of roles peripheral to these roles, including systems engineering, software engineering, applications engineering and others.

    Optical Materials & Devices:

    Optics is the branch of physics that utilizes both simple and sophisticated instruments to study, measure and influence how photons propagate through and interact with matter. The field of optics is critical to the technology found in our modern lives - computers, smartphones, medical equipment and many other 21st century amenities we take for granted. Optical engineers and scientists use their technical knowledge to develop and operate metrology tools (instruments designed to take high-precision, non-contact measurements). These tools are used in applications ranging from the life sciences to the semiconductor industry; to build laser writing and cutting tools that revolutionize our ability to mass manufacture advanced technology; and contribute to cutting-edge research and development activities impacting the fields of medicine, defense, microelectronics, and astronomical observation.

    Alumni from this track work in a wide variety of engineering roles within the life sciences, semiconductor, and defense sectors, as well as peripheral sectors such as next-gen computing and autonomous vehicles. Skills developed in this track have been successfully transferred to a wide variety of engineering and management roles in manufacturing, hardware development, materials research, analytics, software development and research and development.

    Application at a Glance

    Detailed instructions are available on the program’s website. The following are required for your application:


    Program-Specific Application Requirements:
    Interview (for admitted students)
    Letters of Recommendation
    Statement of Purpose

    Meet the Faculty
    Visit the Website
    Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact
    Campus: Eugene
    Summer 2024
    Priority Deadline -  February 15, 2024
    Final Deadline - May 25, 2024 

    Applications must be submitted and paid for by 11:59 PM Pacific Time on the specified deadline date to be considered eligible.

    This program may accept applications after the posted deadline on a space-available basis. Refer to the program’s website for more details.