Nanoscale Engineering Program Leading to the Master of Science Degree
The M.S. degree programs provide a solid foundation in the emerging interdisciplinary fields of Nanoscale Science and Nanoscale Engineering in preparation for entry into the workforce or for further graduate study and research leading to a doctoral degree. Selected M.S. science and engineering tracks pertain to the nanoelectronic, optoelectronic, optical, nanosystems, energy, and nanobiological fields.
Students accepted into one of the CNSE M.S. degree programs are required to construct a preliminary program of graduate study with the assistance of their academic advisor at the completion of the first year of study.
Requirements of the M.S. in Nanoscale Engineering (30 credits)*
- NNSE coursework (18 credits): Six credits as advised relevant to a CNSE Nanoscale Engineering track and twelve credits of Masters level research (NNSE 698 or NNSE 699)
- Completion of courses from the "Foundations of Nanotechnology" course sequence (9 credits)
- Seminar/External Courses as advised (3 credits)
- Completion of an original research project that represents a significant scientific contribution to one of the appropriate CNSE Nanoscale Engineering tracks that leads to the submission of an acceptable Masters thesis. If the student successfully completes an appropriate portion of the Ph.D. preliminary written examination, a Masters research project report can be substituted for the formal thesis.
Foundations of Nanotechnology Course Sequence
Nanotechnology is highly interdisciplinary, building upon core competencies from many traditional disciplines, including materials science, chemistry, physics, biology and electrical engineering. As a consequence, and because the undergraduate backgrounds of CNSE students are equally diverse, a "one size fits all" approach to course content and design is neither practical nor desirable.
To address these issues, a sequence of modular core courses, "Foundations of Nanotechnology," has been designed to provide students with unified core competencies, as well as to prepare them for their more specialized advanced coursework and individual research in the various CNSE Nanoscale Science and Nanoscale Engineering tracks.
"Foundations" represents a modular four-course sequence that has been specifically designed to provide the base scientific skill set required by the varied undergraduate backgrounds of students entering CNSE. The parallel and complementary modular platform of the "Foundations" sequence responds to the need for simultaneous CNSE course content delivery to students possessing undergraduate degrees in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Mathematics, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.
The "Foundations" sequence serves an analogous role for practicing professionals in the fields of nanoscale science, engineering, and nanotechnology that have or plan to enroll in CNSE degree programs.
The "Foundations of Nanotechnology" sequence consists of four courses Foundations of Nanotechnology I – IV (NNSE 506, 507, 508 and 509), with two offered in the Fall semester and two in the Spring semester. Each course consists of coordinated modules specifically designed and sequenced by CNSE faculty to provide the fundamental academic acumen and core competencies necessary for students entering the fields of Nanoscale Science and Nanoscale Engineering.
*The M.S. in Nanoscale Engineering does not lead to New York State licensure for practicing engineers in civil construction, surveying or the trades.
