The Professional Science Master's (PSM) in Nanoscience is an innovative program at ASU, which leads to a highly useful graduate degree in a relatively short time. This type of program has been described as "Education for a Competitive World," a "Fast track to a new Career," and a "Science-MBA for the 21st Century."
The PSM in Nanoscience degree program enables students to master skills and develop capabilities that equip them to innovate flexibly, and to influence their future career prospects positively. We focus on the needs of modern industry and external organizations, for scientists and engineers doing research, development or production. These include broad fields of Electronic and Optoelectronic Devices, Energy and Materials, Sensors and the Environment, Nanomedicine and Healthcare.
Degree Overview
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology are strongly coupled to each other and are at the cutting edge of new developments. PSM -Nanoscience requires students to complete 32 credit hours where they actively learn Teamwork, Leadership, Interpersonal and Project Management skills. Students are encouraged to become future leaders in this exciting field that is central to the future in technical, economic and social aspects.
Focus Areas
Students may elect to narrow the program into the following concentrations. Each concentration has the appropriate selection of courses.
- Nanomaterials & Nanoscale Devices
- Biophysics & Biomedical Technology
- Biochemistry & Sensing Technology
How to apply
PSM-Nanoscience admits students in Fall & Spring
Students are encouraged to make a formal application at least two months in advance of the start of the semester to allow adequate time for application review.
Below are recommended dates of application:
- Fall: March 1
- Spring: November 1
Students must meet all Graduate College admission criteria including English proficiency (Test of English as a Foreign Language - TOEFL - or equivalent) for non-native English speakers if applicable.
Applicants should also meet the following program-specific admission criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree in physics, chemistry or a related field (STEM) from a regionally-accredited institution.
- A statement of purpose outlining your research interests and why you want to apply to the Professional Science Master's program.
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s work and/or studies relevant to the program.Please have your referees use this template and email them to Araceli.Vizcarra@asu.edu.
By choosing the right courses and the right project for myself, I have gained experience and networks with leaders of industry. Networking and professional management are two vital skills I can take back besides the technical aspects of being a part of this PSM in Nanoscience program.
Chinnu Abraham- PSM Student-Nanoelectronics
Curriculum
The PSM-Nanoscience program consists of 32 credit hours including the required applied project course (NAN 593). Core courses (15 credit hours) are designed to help students improve their background knowledge in a range of subjects. The remaining 15 credit hours are selected by students from a list of Elective courses spanning multiple disciplines
Requirements and electives | Hours |
Core courses | 5 |
Electives or Research | 15 |
Other Requirements | 6 |
Culminating Experience | 6 |
Total hours required | 32 |
Courses and electives
The PSM-Nanoscience program is a 32 credit hour broken out into 17- credit hours of mandatory coursework including the applied project. The remaining 15 - credit hours are decided in collaboration with program directors and the research interest of the student.
Students should select five (5) credit hours from the courses below.
NAN 505 Nanoscience and Society (2) or NAN 506 Innovation and IP Management (2)
NAN 571 Quantum Physics (3) or NAN 544 Introduction to Nanoscience (3)
Fifteen credit hours of elective research topic courses. You may work with your program advisor to select different courses. Below are examples of courses available.
| NAN/C6:E36CHM 598 | Microfluidics | 3 Credits |
| NAN/MSE 598 | Electrochemical energy storage and conversion | 3 Credits |
| BCH 598: | Biochemistry of Cancer | 3 Credits |
| BME/CHE 598 | Nano-biotechnolgy | 3 Credits |
| CHM 520 | Chemical Biology | 3 Credits |
| CHM 535 | Medicinal Chemistry | 3 Credits |
| CHM 541/MSE 524 | Advanced Thermodynamics | 3 Credits |
| CHM 543 | Computational Chemistry | 3 Credits |
| CHM 571 | NAN/C6:E36MSE 598 | 3 Credits |
| CHM 598 | Supramolecular Chemistry and Self-assembly | 3 Credits |
| MSE 518 | Microelectronic Packaging | 3 Credits |
| MSE 550 | Advanced Materials Characterization | 3 Credits |
| NAN 505 | Nanoscience and Society | 3 Credits |
| NAN 506 | Innovation and IP Management | 3 Credits |
| NAN 571 | Quantum Physics for Nanoscience | 3 Credits |
| NAN/CHM 564 | Bio-nanotechnology | 3 Credits |
| NAN/CHM 598 | Nucleic Acids | 3 Credits |
| NAN/CHM 598 | Peptides and Proteins | 3 Credits |
| NAN/EEE 598 | Adv. Biosensor Concepts | 3 Credits |
| NAN/EEE 598 | Molecular Electronics | 3 Credits |
| NAN/EEE 598 | Personal Sensors for Mobile Health Applications | 3 Credits |
| NAN/MSE 560 | Nanomaterials for Energy Production and Storage | 3 Credits |
| NAN/MSE 598 | Carbon Nanomaterials | 3 Credits |
| NAN/MSE/PHY 552 | Electron Microscopy I | 3 Credits |
| NAN/PHY 511/MSE 526 | Materials Physics I | 3 Credits |
| NAN/PHY 512/MSE 527 | Materials Physics II | 3 Credits |
| NAN/PHY 542 | Topics in Biophysics | 3 Credits |
| NAN/PHY 598 | Topics in Biophysics II | 3 Credits |
| NAN/PHY/CHM 544 | Introduction to Nanoscience | 3 Credits |
| NAN/PHY/MSE 546 | Surfaces and Thin Films | 3 Credits |
| PHY/MSE 553 | Electron Microscopy Lab | 3 Credits |
During the first year (Fall, Spring), the student must register in 3 credits of NAN 591- Seminar. These seminars are geared to introduce project management tool, industry guest, and finding a research advisor.
Six credits of seminar, NAN 591, must be taken to satisfy the degree requirement.
Six(6) credit of research, NAN 593, must be taken to satisfy the degree requirements. Each student will produce a report and complete a presentation to a committee of three compromised of faculty and industry professionals.
These are taken toward the end of the degree program as the student nears degree completion and has satisfied all of the other requirements.
The PSM-Nanosicne program is designed to keep a low number of students to promote and build strong networking relationships.