Undergraduate Education
Minor in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
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.
DIRECTORS - Paul E. Laibinis & Sandra J. Rosenthal
The minor in nanoscience and nanotechnology is supported by the Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (VINSE) that brings together faculty from the College of Arts and Science, the School of Engineering, and the Medical Center. A specialized laboratory facility maintained by VINSE provides students in the minor with capstone experiences that allow them to prepare and characterize a variety of nanostructured systems using in-house state-of-the-art instrumentation. This hands-on laboratory component enhances the attractiveness of students to both employers and graduate schools.
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Minor
The minor in nanoscience and nanotechnology requires a total of 15 credit hours, distributed as follows
- Nano Core (6 hours). NANO 3000 and one of CHEM 2610 or CHBE 4840 or PHYS 2660.
- Elective courses. 9 hours selected from the following list of approved subjects:
- BME 4200 Principles and Applications of BioMicro ElectroMechanical Systems (BioMEMS)
- BME 4500 Nanobiotechnology
- ChBE 4830 Molecular Simulation
- ChBE 4840 Applications of Metal and Metal Oxide Nanostructures
- ChBE 4850 Semiconductor Materials Processing
- ChBE 4860 Molecular Aspects of Chemical Engineering
- ChBE 4870 Polymer Science and Engineering
- ChBE 4880 Corrosion Science and Engineering
- CHEM 2610 Introduction to Nanochemistry
- CHEM 3300 Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics, Spectroscopy, and Kinetics
- CHEM 3630 Macromolecular Chemistry: Polymers, Dendrimers, and Surface Modification
- CHEM 5610 Chemistry of Inorganic Materials
- EECE 4283 Principles and Models of Semiconductor Devices
- EECE 4284 Integrated Circuit Technology and Fabrication
- EECE 4385 VLSI Design
- EECE 4288 Optoelectronics
- EECE 6306 Solid-State Effects and Devices
- IMS 5320 Nanoscale Science and Engineering
- IMS 6310 Atomic Arrangements in Solids
- ME 8320 Statistical Thermodynamics
- ME 8323 Introduction to Micro/Nanoelectromechanical Systems
- ME 8365 Micro/Nanoscale Energy Transport
- PHYS 2255 Introduction to Quantum Dynamics and Applications
- PHYS 2660 Experimental Nanoscale Fabrication and Characterization
- PHYS 3640 Physics of Condensed Matter
Courses taken to satisfy relevant degree requirements for majors in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering may also be counted toward fulfilling the minor.
If you are interested in the Nano minor, please contact
Professor Paul Laibinis
or the
VINSE administrative office.