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.

• Electives for Nanotechnology Concentration

  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.