A researcher working in a UAlbany nanotechnology lab.

Master of Science  in
Nanoscale Science

Harness Emerging Science and Research to Transform Industry

Explore a diverse, interdisciplinary field through leading-edge research and in-depth coursework where you will gain a deep theoretical and practical understanding of nanoscale materials, structure and architectures.

In UAlbany’s MS in Nanoscale Science program you can choose from a range of tracks pertaining to nanoelectronic, optoelectrical, optical, nanosystems, energy and nanobiological fields.

You’ll graduate with skills and knowledge that are in high demand in industries ranging from forensics and food science to energy and the environment. From here you’ll be well equipped to pursue a competitive doctoral program or a trailblazing career.

Additional Program Information

Graduate Bulletin  |  Course Catalog  |  Department Contact: J. Andres Melendez

Program of Study

programofstudy

Because nanoscale science is highly interdisciplinary and our students come to the program from a range of science disciplines, all students enroll in a sequence of foundational courses that provide the core competencies necessary for success in nanoscale science and engineering fields.

You’ll earn the rest of your credits through master’s level research, seminars and other nanoscale science and engineering courses, which are determined in part by which of the seven tracks you choose to pursue. 

Foundations of Nanotechnology Course Sequence

  • Chemical Principles of Nanotechnology
  • Foundations of Nanotechnology I, II, III & IV

Nanoscale Science Courses

Six credits as advised.

Master’s Level Research

  • Research in Nanoscale Science OR
  • Thesis in Nanosciences and Nanoengineering

Seminar or External Courses

Three credits as advised.

Tracks
Molecular Materials and Architecture

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.

Research and Facilities

As a student in the master’s in nanoscale science program at UAlbany, you’ll have access to the Albany NanoTech Complex, the most advanced nanotech center in North America. Gain hands-on experience inside an unmatched 1.65M square foot facility that houses a powerful ecosystem for education, development, tech acceleration, business incubation and prototyping.  

Available internship and research opportunities, many of which happen in cooperation with Albany NanoTech’s numerous onsite corporate partners, including IBM, GlobalFoundries, Samsung, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, ASML and Lam Research, can lead to transformative career opportunities.  

In addition to the Albany NanoTech Complex, UAlbany’s College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE) is also home to other research labs and programs:  

  • The Advanced Cybersecurity Research Lab, a hub for investigating cybersecurity, machine learning, and autonomic computing approaches.  
  • The New York State Data Center, a partnership between the New York State office of Information Technology and New York State Office of General Services that’s dedicated to making government IT operations and services more efficient and reliable. 
  • The Center for Advanced Semiconductor Power Electronics Research (CASPER), an organization working to advance power electronics based on wide bandgap materials.

 

 

 

A researcher holding a wafer in a UAlbany nanotechnology lab.
ms-nano-science-research
Career Outcomes

With a master’s in nanoscale science degree, you’ll be prepared for the fast-growing nanoscience field that has transformed industries, from agriculture, food and medicine to automotive, environmental management and transportation. You’ll find nanoscience career paths in research and development, applied engineering and academia, or pursue doctoral studies at UAlbany or another prestigious U.S. or international institution.

Potential job titles for an MS in Nanoscale Science include:

  • Applications Engineer
  • Director of Product Marketing
  • Director of Research
  • Holography and Optics Technician
  • Manufacturing Engineer
  • Market Development Manager
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Optical Assembly Technician
  • Optical Engineer
  • Product Marketing Manager
  • Research & Development Engineers
  • Research Scientist
  • University Professor

 

 

Two researchers in a UAlbany nanotechnology lab looking at data on a computer.
career

International Students

This degree is designated as a STEM program. International students maintaining F-1 status are allowed to apply for up to 12 months of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) following completion/graduation from their degree program. Currently, this degree program is also designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an eligible degree for the F-1 STEM OPT work authorization extension; students who secure qualifying employment may be eligible to apply for the STEM OPT extension for a cumulative total of up to 36 months of F-1 OPT work authorization.

Admissions Requirements
Deadlines

Departmental Assistantship Consideration

Fall: February 1
Spring: October 1

Financial support for Masters students is dependent on availability of funding. 

No Departmental Assistantship Consideration

Fall: February 1
Spring: October 1

Applications received after these dates will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Required Application Materials
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Three academic or professional letters of recommendation
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
  • GRE General Test score is strongly recommended but not required. The department evaluates all aspects of the application, therefore a minimum score is not identified.

Available information for International Applicants.

admissions


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