The Materials Science program was initiated in 1992 under the Faculty of Physics Sciences. The program had started with the first intake of 12 students in the 1992-1993 academic session. In 1999, Faculty of Science and Applied Physics (FSFG) was restructured along with three other faculties to form the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST). With the new-structured FST, the Materials Science Program was placed under the Department of Applied Physics (JFG) along with another two programs, namely Physics Program and Nuclear Science Program. The Materials Science Program has produced more than 1000 graduates since its inception up until the year 2021.

Materials Science is a multidisciplinary field comprising basic science of physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Generally, material is classified into metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, and semiconductors. Field of knowledge covering the microstructures and material properties, fabrication, testing and analysis and material applications. Students are required to undergo more than 19 weeks industrial training at the industry or research centre associated with material activities. The training will expose the students with professional experience in technical and managerial aspects in material-related industry. To equip students with the research techniques, students are required to carry out three stages of practical training in the laboratory and a research project during the period of study at the Materials Science Program