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Nanotechnology track

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, from microelectronics (smaller, faster computer chips) to mechanical engineering (micromotors and actuators) to civil engineering (“smart”, self-healing nanocomposite materials for buildings and bridges) to 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 track 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 as well as research laboratories. In recognition of completion of the Nanotechnology Track, a student may elect to have his or her academic transcript annotated to indicate a specialty in nanotechnology.

To satisfy the requirements of the Nanotechnology Track, a student must successfully complete the following courses:

• 510.440 Micro- and Nanostructured Materials and Devices (or equivalent such as 360.404) with a grade of B or higher
• Complete two advanced materials electives with a grade of C or higher selected from among the following:
  
  
  • 510.457 Materials Science of Thin Films
  • 540.438 Interfacial Phenomena in Nanostructured Materials
  • 540.440 Chemical Engineering for Micro and Nanotechnology
  • 530.487 Introduction to Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)
  • 530.495 Microfabrication Laboratory
  • 171.405 Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics
  
  

In addition, the student’s senior design project must be in a nanotechnology-related area, selected in consultation with the senior design instructor.

Complete details regarding the nanotechnology track may be found in either the Undergraduate Advising Manual or the university catalog, either of which can be accessed from the Undergraduate Study page.