Nanotechnology advances the utilization of materials and devices with extremely small dimensions. Nanotechnology is a visionary field, as micro- and nano-structured devices impact all fields of engineering, including microelectronics (smaller, faster computer chips), mechanical engineering (micromotors and actuators), civil engineering (“smart”, self-healing nanocomposite materials for buildings and bridges), and biomedical engineering (biosensors and tissue engineering).
Materials science is central to nanotechnology because the properties of materials can change dramatically when things are made extremely small. This observation is not simply that we need to measure such properties or develop new processing tools to fabricate nanodevices. Rather, our vision is that the wide (and sometimes unexpected) variety of phenomena associated with nanostructured materials allow us to envision radically new devices and applications that can only be made with nanostructured materials. The nanotechnology concentration encompasses a curriculum designed to train students in the fundamental interdisciplinary principles of materials science, including physics and chemistry, and also to expose students to the forefront of nanomaterials research through elective classes and research laboratories. In recognition of completion of the Nanotechnology Concentration, a student may elect to have his or her academic transcript annotated to indicate a specialty in nanotechnology.
To receive commendation for completion of the Nanotechnology Concentration, the student must complete three electives with a focus on nanotechnology, a nanomaterials laboratory course and a nanotechnology senior design project. Approval of electives must be made by a student’s academic advisor prior to taking the courses, and approval of the senior design project must be pre-approved by the senior design instructor.
Students must declare their intent to satisfy the requirements of the Nanotechnology Concentration in Materials Science and Engineering by their 5th semester (1st semester junior year). Students should declare their intent in writing or by e-mail to their department advisors and copy the academic coordinator.
Complete details regarding the nanotechnology concentration may be found in either the Undergraduate Advising Manual or the university catalog.
Course Number |
Course Title and Description |
Instructor |
Offering |
Nanotechnology Concentration (select 3 plus 510.442) | (planned offerings may change) | ||
510.442 | Nanomaterials Lab | Ma | Fall 2017 |
510.427 | Chemistry of Nanomaterials | Hall | To Be Decided |
510.422 | Micro- and Nano- Structured Materials and Devices | Katz | Spring (usually) |
510.403 | Materials Characterization | McGuiggan | Fall 2017 |
510.405 | Materials Science of Energy Technologies | Erlebacher | To Be Decided |
510.421 | Nanoparticles | Wilson | Spring 2018 (Tentative) |
510.457 | Materials Science of Thin Films | Weihs | To Be Decided |
530.496 | Micro/Nanoscience and Biotechnology
(530.672 BioMEMS is a more advanced course but accepts and has UG students every year) |
Wang | (530.672 BioMEMS is offered every spring semester) |
540.415 | Interfacial Science with Applications to Nanoscales | Frechette | Fall 2017 |
530.495 | Microfabrication Laboratory | Wang | Fall (usually) |
510.420 | Stealth Science and Engineering | Spicer | Fall 2018 (Tentative) |
510.451 | Quantum Physical Interactions | Spicer | To Be Decided |
510.415 | Chemistry of Materials Synthesis | Katz | To Be Decided |
540.403 | Colloids and Nanoparticles | Bevan | Spring (usually) |
This list is NOT meant to be exhaustive. Other courses on campus can be selected, as long as they focus on nanotechnology. Email Professor Evan Ma if you have suggestions/questions.