Minor: Nanotechnolgy

OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to earn minor: 18

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to earn minor: 2.0

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward minor: No grades below C-.

Other GPA requirements to earn minor: None.

Contact Information: Dr. Rosemary Smith, Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering

The Nanotechnology minor will comprise both fundamental and specialized coursework preparation for undergraduate students who engage in nanoscale research and/or who wish to pursue a career in nanotechnology.

Prerequisite Courses

Only as specified by each individual core and elective course required for the minor.

Core Courses (9 credit hours)

CHY 477 - Nanoscience Credits: 3
or
ECE 457 - Nanoscience Credits: 3
CHE 420 - Colloid Technology Credits: 3
or
PHY 236 - Introductory Quantum Physics Credits: 3
HON 398 - Honors Independent Research Credits: 1-3
or
INT 398 - (CHB, CHY, ECE) Undergraduate Research Participation Credits: 1-3
The undergraduate research must pertain to nanoscale science or engineering. A research proposal must be submitted to the academic advisor for the minor for review and be approved for acceptance of fulfillment of this requirement for the minor.

A student may choose either PHY236 or CHE 420 to fulfill the core course requirements for this minor. The choice will likely depend on the student’s major, research project and/or interests. PHY 236 is excellent preparation for all students who are interested in nanotechnology, but is especially relevant for those who are interested in nanoscale electronic devices and materials (e.g. ECE and Engr Phys majors). Students who are interested in nanoparticle synthesis and properties (e.g. BLE and CHE majors) are recommended to take CHE 420. These courses are also on the list of elective courses, so that a student may take both courses, applying one towards fulfilling the core course requirements and the other towards fulfilling the elective course requirements.

Elective Courses: 3 courses

(9 credit hours selected from the courses below:)

As described above, students must take either PHY 236 or CHE 420 as a core course for the minor. At least three courses, in addition to either PHY 236 or CHE 420 must be taken from the list below.

BLE 402 - Biomaterials and the Cellular Interface Credits: 3
CHB 460 - Biochemical Engineering Credits: 3
CHE 410 - Advanced Materials Credits: 3
CHE 420 - Colloid Technology Credits: 3
CIE 543 - Introduction to Composite Materials in Civil Engineering Credits: 3
ECE 462 - Introduction to Basic Semiconductor Devices and Associated Circuit Models Credits: 3
ECE 464 - Microelectronics Science and Engineering Credits: 3
EES 324 - Environmental Protection Law and Policy Credits: 3
GEE 298 - Introduction to Nanoscale Science and Engineering Credits: 3
GEE 398 - Special Topics in Engineering Credits: Ar
MEE 320 - Materials Engineering and Science Credits: 3
MEE 450 - Introduction to the Mechanics of Composite Materials Credits: 3
MEE 555 - Smart Materials Credits: 3
MEE 556 - Introduction to Tissue Engineering Credits: 3
PHY 236 - Introductory Quantum Physics Credits: 3
PHY 447 - Molecular Biophysics Credits: 3 - 4
PHY 469 - Quantum and Atomic Physics Credits: 3

Other Conditions

Students may petition to apply Engineering Practice (e.g. ECE 394 or MEE 394) or Engineering Physics Practice (PHY 495) credit in place of undergraduate research credit, if the work experience involves Nanotechnology. The academic advisors for the minor will review the student’s petition, which will include a description of the work experience and a letter from his/her employer, and determine if it qualifies.