PSM Program of Study and Program Options
Nanoscience is an interdisciplinary subject spanning physics, chemistry and biochemistry, materials and electrical engineering. It concerns the properties of atomic and molecular assemblies (composed of tens, hundreds or thousands of atoms) under an extraordinarily wide range of conditions and geometries, and areas of application.
The study of nanoscience is divided into core courses and elective courses.
Core courses, which are followed by all students, are listed in the table below. The NAN 505 and 506 courses will be given as stand-alone courses in alternate years. In the years in which one of these courses is not given as a stand-alone course, the topics contained in the missing course will be discussed within the NAN 591 Professional Seminar in the preceding spring semester.
Core Courses
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| NAN 571 Quantum Physics for Nanoscience (3 credits, fall semester) | Reviews modern physics, chemistry and mathematics. Methods and examples from physics, chemistry, nanoscience and nanotechnology. |
| NAN 591 Professional Seminar (4 credits total; 2 credits fall, 2 credits spring) | Students discuss their elective experiences with their peers, guided by Professional Science Master faculty, visiting speakers and industrialists. |
| NAN 505 Nanoscience and Society (2 credits, final summer semester) | Integrates nanoscience, nanotechnology and societal issues, taught by faculty and research staff from the Center for Nanotechnology in Society. |
| NAN 506 Innovation and IP Management (2 credits, final summer semester) | Intellectual property management in the context of innovation and technology transfer, taught by faculty specializing in intellectual property issues. |
| NAN 593 Applied Project (6 credits total; 3 credits spring, 3 credits summer) | Preparation of an applied project under the supervision of a faculty member. The applied project will be presented at a special capstone conference in the final summer semester. |
As an interdisciplinary program, the Professional Science Master's program offers a variety of courses contributed by different departments. The availability of these courses may vary by semester. In addition to the core courses listed above, students choose 15 elective hours to complete the 30-credit hour program. Although electives may be chosen from any of the courses below, the three program options shown suggest possible course combinations.
Program Option 1: Nanomaterials and Nanoelectronics
| Course (Fall) | Description |
|---|---|
| NAN/PHY 511 Materials Physics I | Fundamentals of materials physics: structural properties, energy bands, electronic and optical properties. |
| NAN/PHY 542 Topics in Biophysics | Modern biology and non-equilibrium systems. |
| NAN/PHY 552 Electron Microscopy I | Electron diffraction, microscopy and analysis. |
| Course (Spring) | |
| NAN/PHY 512 Materials Physics II | Fundamentals of materials physics: structural properties, energy bands, electronic and optical properties. |
| NAN/PHY 544 Introduction to Nanoscience | Nanoscience, physical theory and applications. |
| NAN/PHY 546 Surfaces and Thin Films | Surfaces, vacuum and thin film processes. |
Program Option 2: Bio-physics and Bio-nanotechnology
| Course (Fall) | Description |
|---|---|
| NAN/PHY 511 Materials Physics I | Fundamentals of materials physics: structural properties, energy bands. |
| NAN/PHY 542 Topics in Biophysics | Modern biology and non-equilibrium systems. |
| NAN/PHY 552 Electron Microscopy I | Electron diffraction, microscopy and analysis. |
| Course (Spring) | |
| NAN/PHY 544 Introduction to Nanoscience | Nanoscience, physical theory and applications. |
| NAN/PHY 598 Topics in Biophysics II | Structure, function and dynamics of biomolecular systems. |
| NAN/EEE 598: Molecular Electronics | Fundamental aspects of molecular electronics, including recent examples from the research literature. |
| *NAN/BCH 564 Bio-nano-technology | Bio-molecules, bioelectronics, biomedicine. *Not offered in Spring 2010 |
Program Option 3: Biophysics, Biochemistry and Sensors
| Course (Fall) | Description |
|---|---|
| NAN/PHY 542 Topics in Biophysics | Modern biology and non-equilibrium systems. |
| NAN/CHM 598 Introduction to Biosensors | Electron-transfer processes, electrode reactions, electrochemical microsensors and biosensors. |
| NAN/PHY 552 Electron Microscopy I | Electron diffraction, microscopy and analysis. |
| Course (Spring) | |
| NAN/PHY 544 Introduction to Nanoscience | Nanoscience, physical theory and applications. |
| NAN/CHM 527 Electro-analytical Chemistry | Electron-transfer processes, electrode reactions, electrochemical microsensors and biosensors. |
| NAN/EEE 598: Molecular Electronics | Fundamental aspects of molecular electronics, including recent examples from the research literature. |
| *NAN/BCH 564 Bio-nano-technology | Bio-molecules, bioelectronics, biomedicine. *Not offered in Spring 2010 |