Nanoscale Engineering Program Leading to the Master of Science Degree

The M.S. degree programs provide a solid foundation in the emerging interdisciplinary fields of Nanoscale Science and Nanoscale Engineering in preparation for entry into the workforce or for further graduate study and research leading to a doctoral degree. Selected M.S. science and engineering tracks pertain to the nanoelectronic, optoelectronic, optical, nanosystems, energy, and nanobiological fields.

Students accepted into one of the NSE M.S. degree programs are strongly recommended to construct a preliminary program of graduate study with the assistance of their academic advisor at the completion of the first year of study.

Degree Requirements of the M.S. in Nanoscale Engineering (30 credits)*

  1. NSE coursework (18 credits): Six credits as advised relevant to a Nanoscale Engineering track and twelve credits of Masters level research (NSE 698 or NSE 699)
  2. Completion of courses from the "Foundations of Nanotechnology" course sequence (9 credits)
  3. Seminar/External Courses as advised (3 credits)
  4. Completion of an original research project that represents a significant scientific contribution to one of the appropriate Nanoscale Engineering tracks that leads to the submission of an acceptable Master's thesis. If the student successfully completes an appropriate portion of the Ph.D. preliminary written examination, a master's research project report can be substituted for the formal thesis.

Foundations of Nanotechnology Course Sequence

Nanotechnology is highly interdisciplinary, building upon core competencies from many traditional disciplines, including materials science, chemistry, physics, biology and electrical engineering. As a consequence, and because the undergraduate backgrounds of NSE students are equally diverse, a "one size fits all" approach to course content and design is neither practical nor desirable.

To address these issues, a sequence of modular core courses, "Foundations of Nanotechnology" (NSE 504, 506, 507, 508, and 509), has been designed to provide students with unified core competencies, as well as to prepare them for their more specialized advanced coursework and individual research in the various Nanoscale Science and Nanoscale Engineering tracks. Each course consists of coordinated modules specifically designed and sequences by NSE faculty to provide the fundamental academic acumen and core competencies necessary for students entering the fields of Nanoscale Science and Nanoscale Engineering.

*The M.S. in Nanoscale Engineering does not lead to New York State licensure for practicing engineers in civil construction, surveying or the trades.

Nanoscale Engineering tracks for the M.S. degree program:

Nanoelectronics Engineering and Technology: Design, processing, fabrication, testing, and integration of nanoelectronic structures and devices for incorporation in emerging gigascale and terascale integrated circuit systems and architectures. Development of integrated process modules for novel nanoelectronics materials.

Optoelectronics and Photonics Nanoengineering: Design, fabrication, testing, and integration of integrated optoelectronic and photonic device structures using compound semiconductors. Testing and hybridization of optoelectronic/photonic devices in system-on-a-chip (SOC) and nano-electro-mechanical system (NEMS) architectures.

Spintronics Nanoengineering: Design, fabrication, testing, and integration of spintronic device structures. Testing and hybridization of spintronic devices, including incorporation in system-on-a-chip (SOC) and nano-electro-mechanical system (NEMS) architectures.

NanoSystem Engineering and Technology: Design, fabrication, packaging, and testing of nano/micro-electrical and nano/micro-opto-electrical mechanical components and nano/micro-fluidic components for incorporation in SOC architectures and systems.

Nanoengineering in Energy & Environmental Technologies: Development of nanotechnology engineering concepts for new and emerging applications in energy and environmental areas including fuel cells, solar cells, superconductors, sensors, power electronics, and supercapacitors.

Nanolithography Engineering and Technology: Design, development and engineering of nanolithography systems, components, and processes. Development and engineering of materials and metrologies for nanolithography.

Nanobiology Engineering and Technology: Design, development and engineering of nanobiological systems, components, and processes. Development and engineering of biomaterials and nano-bio-systems for SOC, nanomedicine, and health applications.

Please note: This program may offer an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience in the course listing as an option to fulfill course requirements. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If you have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of your intended academic program.