Motivation

The Maryland nano community has increasingly focused its educational offerings at both the undergraduate and graduate level on nanoscale science and engineering targets of its various traditional disciplines, leading to an evolution of focus, example, and projects in existing courses as well as the generation of new courses.

To meet the rapidly growing interest of students in nano, and to create the nano workforce of the future, Maryland NanoCenter is in the process of finalizing an innovative undergraduate program, the Interdisciplinary Minor Program in Nanoscale Science and Technology, drawing faculty and courses from multiple departments of the A. James Clark School of Engineering, the College of Computer, Math, and Physical Sciences, and the College of Chemical and Life Sciences. The program is open to any student majoring in Engineering, Physics, or Chemistry.

This program draws upon the expertise of existing and new nano faculty at Maryland to prepare students for careers in the rapidly growing field of nanoscale science and technology (NS&T).

Structure and Courses

Click here to see a listing of courses which can be used to complete the Nano Minor.
Nano Minor Declaration/Advising Form

Several of the courses span two of the categories depicted in the figure at the upper right of this page, and might be counted in either. There are not clear divisions between Fundamental Science and Specialization areas; similarly courses dealing with fabrication will usually also require some characterization. Thus as a way of building structure and sufficient breadth into the programs of study we will encourage students to take courses from each of the four areas as an ideal, but require that students take at least two courses each from the Fundamental Science-Specialization axis, and at least two from the Fabrication-Characterization axis. Definition of which courses satisfy which requirements will be established by the NS&T committee. To further encourage breadth of study, the NS&T minor will allow only two of the five total courses to be from a student's major department.

Eligibility

This minor is designed to be accessible and available to any student majoring in Engineering, Physics or Chemistry. It is open to all students who have the necessary prerequisites to enroll in the courses which constitute the minor.

Formal Requirements for Completing the Nano Minor

1. The minor requirement will consist of a total of five courses (at least 15 credits) from those listed below. (see Table 1, below).

2. At least two of the courses (6 credits) must be from the list of Nanofabrication/Nanosynthesis and/or Nanocharacterization electives.

3. At least two of the courses (6 credits) must be from the list of Fundamental Science and/or Nanoscience Electives. At least one of these must be listed as a Nanospecialization/application elective.

4. Up to two courses (6 credits) may be double counted, i.e. used both toward satisfying the requirements of the major and the NS&T minor.

5. Three of the courses (9 credits) must be from outside the individual major. Cross listed courses (e.g. ENMA460/PHYS431) which are offered by the major department do not qualify as being outside the major.

6. At least three of the courses (9 credits) must be at the 400 level or above.

7. No more than two courses (6 credits) from any one department will be credited toward the NS&T minor.

8. A grade of "C" or above is required in all courses to be credited toward the NS&T minor.

9. Students wishing to participate in the NS&T minor must declare participation formally. Declaration of participation in the NS&T minor must follow a meeting with the individual department representative to the NS&T committee who will help the student to develop a program of courses suitable for the minor and a schedule for taking those courses. Examples of model programs for each participating department are given below. Students from outside participating departments will consult with one of the MSE representatives to develop a program of courses and declare participation..

10.. Research experience (XXXX499) courses may be included in the NS&T minor in addition to those listed above, provided that the research is NS&T-related. The course must be within a participating department. Similarly, if the design capstone course (e.g. ENMA490) from a department is judged to be in the area of NS&T, it may be counted as a Specialization Elective toward the minor. Judgment of whether these courses qualify will fall to the departmental NanoProgram Committee member.

Model Programs

Click here to see a number of examples which illustrate how students majoring in different disciplines may complete the Nano Minor.

Nano Minor Program Organization

Program Director - Professor Ray Phaneuf, MSE
Education Coordinator - Dr. Kathleen Hart, MSE

A steering committee representing the various departments and disciplines guides the educational program and procedures.

Advising of participating students will begin with the development of the individual program of courses at the time a student declares participation in the NS&T minor, and will continue with a yearly meeting until the requirements for the minor are satisfied. Students will be required to obtain the signature of their faculty coordinator to document that the advising sessions take place.

Learning Outcomes

Goals for the NS&T minor are:

1. Student is able to explain the background concepts that underlie science at the nanometer scale.

2. Student is able to carry out techniques for fabrication and or synthesis of nanostructures or materials structured at the nanometer scale.

3. Student is able to use techniques for characterizing the properties, function and performance of nanostructures.

4. Student is able to explain applications of nanotechnology to computing, data storage, sensing, biology or other fields relevant to industry and/or society.