Nanoscale Science 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 NSE M.S. degree programs are strongly recommended to construct a preliminary program of graduate study with the assistance of their academic advisor at the completion of the first year of study.
Degree Requirements of the M.S. in Nanoscale Science (30 credits)
- NSE coursework (18 credits): Six credits as advised relevant to a NSE Nanoscale Science Track and twelve credits of Masters level research (NSE 697 or NSE 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 NSE Nanoscale Science tracks that leads to the submission of an acceptable Master's thesis. If the student successfully completes an appropriate portion of the Ph.D. preliminary written examination, a master's 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 NSE 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," sequence (NSE 504, 506, 507, 508 and 509) 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 Nanoscale Science and Nanoscale Engineering tracks. Each course consists of coordinated modules specifically designed and sequenced by NSE faculty to provide the fundamental academic acumen and core competencies necessary for students entering the fields of Nanoscale Science and Nanoscale Engineering.
Nanoscale Science tracks for the MS degree program:
Molecular Materials and Architectures: Fundamental material properties of molecular dots, wires, and crystals, quantum confinement and ballistic transport-based device structures, and the integration of molecular/electronic materials in nanodevice geometries. Advanced theoretical and computer simulation treatments of nanoscale optical, electronic, elastic, and thermodynamic properties.
Optoelectronic Materials and Architectures: Compound semiconductor material properties and fundamentals of compound semiconductor ultra-thin-film growth for optical and optoelectronic applications. Quantum confinement-based optical and optoelectronic properties. Optical and optoelectronic device architectures using single and compound semiconductors.
Spintronic Materials and Architectures: Compound semiconductor material properties and fundamentals of compound semiconductor thin-film growth for spintronic applications. Magnetic and nanomagnetic device architectures using single and compound semiconductors.
Ultra-Thin Film Single and Multilayered Nanomaterial Structures: Self-assembly, deposition, modification, and integration of single and multilayered thin film materials. Fundamental functionality relationships between nanoscale structures and dimensions and resulting film properties.
Nanoscale Materials Characterization, Analysis, and Metrology: Advanced nanoscale photon, ion, and electron based microscopic and spectroscopic analytical techniques and process metrologies for atomic and molecular-level material properties of ultra-thin films, nanomaterials and nanoscale devices and systems.
Nanomaterials for Nanotechnology: The science of design, deposition, and integration of atomic and molecular-level nanoengineered materials for nanotechnology-based applications.
Economic Impacts of Nanoscale Science and Nanotechnology: In-depth technical analysis of educational, workforce, and economic impacts of emerging nanoscale systems and architectures. Theoretical modeling and simulation studies of the technical impact of emerging nanoscale science concepts and disruptive nanotechnologies.
Please note: This program may offer an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience in the course listing as an option to fulfill course requirements. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If you have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of your intended academic program.
