Is Group Theory Essential for Industry Work in Materials Science?

[id the sloth]

I hear a lot that group theory is important to condensed matter physics. Does it have any practical use? Like if I were to do industry work in materials, would I ever use it? Is it important enough to take a full course on abstract algebra?

 

[Sankaku]

Does it have any practical use?

I hope not!

Joking aside, it is foundational to almost all of mathematics so, in my opinion, it is well worth understanding the basics - if only to deepen the context of all the other math you do. As to direct application in physics, crystallography or cryptography, I will leave comment to the more practically-minded among us.