noun
Academic field studying the properties and structure of materials. Often used in university department names and research contexts.
彼は大学で物性学を専攻している。
He is majoring in materials science at university.
物性学の研究には高度な装置が必要だ。
Advanced equipment is necessary for research in materials science.
Compound of 物性 (ぶっせい, 'physical properties of matter') + 学 (がく, 'study'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term follows standard academic naming patterns.