EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES. In today’s technological landscape, where benefits of nanoscale research are being touted by every level of government and industry, graduates with interdisciplinary education and research experience are in demand. For example, Mihail Roco of NSF states in a Nature article that “a key challenge for nanotechnology development is the education and training of a new generation of skilled workers in the multidisciplinary perspectives necessary for rapid progress of the new technology”. VINSE and Vanderbilt have demonstrated their commitment and leadership to this ideal by building and promoting a program that emphasizes interdisciplinary education. Vanderbilt students will be some of the first to fill this scientific/engineering deficit.

VINSE and Integrative Graduate Education Research and Training (IGERT). A recent IGERT award provides support over five years for graduate students in nanoscience research. This program represents endorsement by the National Science Foundation (NSF) of VINSE’s plan to attract and train top-caliber nanoscientists and nanoengineers, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. IGERT students fulfill the basic IGPMS program with a number of additional requirements. See www.ims.vanderbilt.edu/igert .

VINSE and Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Materials Science (IGPMS). VINSE is aligned with IGPMS, the basic materials science graduate program at Vanderbilt. The curriculum of IGPMS is built around a large variety of departmental courses to offer graduate level education in the fundamental underpinning of nanoscale science and engineering. See www.ims.vanderbilt.edu .

Traditional Departments: Students wishing to work within VINSE scientific areas can apply for admissions either through the IGMPS/IGERT programs or through the Departments of Chemistry, Physics, and all Engineering departments.

Nanoscale Science and Engineering Course. Seventeen faculty members in VINSE and the Vanderbilt University Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Materials Science (IGPMS) have combined their expertise to offer a new and innovative graduate course entitled “Nanoscale Science and Engineering” (IMS 320). The content of the course consists of the science and engineering of nanomaterials, methods for synthesis and fabrication, techniques for characterization, and the attainment of special properties at the nanoscale. The course culminates with present and future applications in biotechnology, medicine, and engineering, thereby promoting a distinct interdisciplinary nature.