Nanotechnology can be defined as application of the science of the very small. Sometimes, when things become very small, they are governed by new physics, such as quantum mechanics or non-continuum mechanics, that can lead to interesting and exploitable new behaviors that are difficult to observe on the macro scale. Sometimes, when things are small, they can be arranged into systems of remarkable spatial and functional complexity, even if their behavior is entirely governed by ‘ordinary’ macroscale physics. As just a few examples, innovations in medical diagnostics, therapeutics, communication systems, computation, consumer electronics, energy efficient lighting and display technology, and low power energy saving electronics rely on advances in nanotechnology.
In order to contribute to this dynamic field, a core knowledge that spans several academic disciplines is necessary. The Master’s Degree in Nanotechnology prepares students for this profession with a solid foundation in technical core areas (7 courses), including a project-based laboratory course that trains students on state-of-the-art equipment in Penn’s Singh Center for Nanotechnology’s fabrication and characterization facilities. Students choose 3 courses, from a total of 10 courses to complete the degree, on science- or technology-related electives that best match their academic interests and professional goals. Students also attend and present summaries of technical seminars as part of their training. Research is optional, and would count as 2 of the 3 elective courses, should students be interested in writing a research thesis.
Course Requirements
To receive the degree of Master of Science in Engineering in Nanotechnology, students must complete TEN (10) course units at the graduate level (5000+)[1], following the requirements below[2]:
Category A: Required Courses (3 CUs)
- ENGR 5040 – Fundamental Concepts in Nanotechnology
- ESE/MSE 5250 – Nanoscale Science and Engineering
- A laboratory experience, which can be satisfied by either of ESE 5360 – Nanofabrication and Nanocharacterization; or MSE 5650 – Fabrication and Characterization of Nanostructured Devices
Category B: Nanotechnology Core (4 CUs)
Select four courses from the list below. Students should have backup choices. Some courses may not be available in a given year.
Electrical and Systems Engineering (ESE)
ESE 5100 Electromagnetic and Optical Theory
ESE 5130 Principles of Quantum Technology
ESE 5210 The Physics of Solid State Energy Devices
ESE 5230 Quantum Engineering
ESE 5260 Photovoltaic Systems Engineering
ESE 5290 Introduction to MEMS and NEMS
ESE 6210 Nanoelectronics
ESE 6250 Nanorobotics
ESE 6730 Integrated Photonic Systems
Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)
MSE 5050 Mechanical Properties of Micro/Nanoscale Materials
MSE 5200 Structure of Materials
MSE 5370 Nanomechanics and Nanotribology at Interfaces
MSE 5500 Elasticity and Micromechanics of Materials
MSE 5550 Electrochemical Engineering of Materials
MSE 5610 Atomic Modeling in Materials Science
MSE 5700 Physics of Materials
MSE 5750 Statistical Mechanics
MSE 6110 Advanced Synchrotron and Electron Characterization of Materials
MSE 6400 Optical Materials
Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics (MEAM)
MEAM 5040 Tribology
MEAM 5050 Mechanical Properties of Micro/Nanoscale Materials
MEAM 5370 Nanotribology
MEAM 5500 Design of Microeletromech Systems
MEAM 5550 Nanoscale Systems Biology
MEAM 5700 Transport Processes I
MEAM 5750 Micro and Nano Fluidics
MEAM 5800 Electrochemistry for Energy, Nanofabrication & Sensing
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBE)
CBE 5250 Molecular Modeling and Simulations
CBE 5350 Interfacial Phenomena
CBE 5450 Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage
CBE 5460 Fundamental Industrial Catalytic Processes
CBE 5550 Nanoscale Systems Biology
CBE 6410 Transport Processes II (Nanoscale Transport)
Bioengineering (BE)
BE 5550 Nanoscale Systems Biology
Category C: Science or Technology-Relevant Electives (3 CUs)[3]
These courses may be chosen from any SEAS course[4] (including engineering entrepreneurship, technology policy, thesis (NANO 5970)[5], special topics[6], and/or independent study (NANO 5990)[7]), as well as technology-relevant courses from other Penn departments (typically physics, chemistry, math, biology, etc.). All electives MUST be at the 5000 level or above. The courses must have significant technical and scientific content and relevance to the student’s program. Approval must be obtained from the NANO program prior to enrollment in the course.
Seminar Requirement: All students are expected to attend at least two Penn nanotechnology-relevant seminars during each year of study, and document the content of at least two of the seminars they attended in a symposium presentation to all Nano Masters students to take place in the Fall of their second year.
[1] If graduate courses are cross-listed with both an undergraduate and a graduate section, the student MUST be registered for the GRADUATE section to count toward the degree, even if the course content is otherwise identical.
[2] A maximum of two graduate-level courses may be transferred from another school to apply to the degree; these courses cannot have been used to fulfill the requirements of an undergraduate degree.
[3] No more than one Category C course may be taken in the first year of study.
[4] Only the following EAS courses are allowed: EAS 5070, 5120, 5450, 5460, 5910, 5950.
[5] Thesis option: if a Masters thesis is completed, it will count for two course units of NANO 5970.
[6] Since special topics courses often have the same course number (e.g., ESE 6800), they may be taken several times and counted more than once towards the degree IF they address different topics.
[7] Maximum of 1 CU of NANO 5990 can be counted toward the degree.