Minor in Nanotechnology – your future is here

“By 2015, products incorporating nanotech will contribute approximately $1 trillion to the global economy. About two million workers will be employed in nanotech industries, and three times that many will have supporting jobs.” This is the future envisioned by Mihail Roco, of the National Science Foundation. A minor in nanotechnology will help you become part of this exciting future. And Penn, recently ranked #1 in the country in nanotechnology research by SmallTimes Magazine, has much to offer.

 

Requirements of the Minor in Nanotechnology:

Criteria

Six courses constitute the nanotechnology minor.
At least one course from each of the four categories below.

Limit of 2 courses that are required for your major.

Limit of 2 courses offered by the department of your major

Required Courses

EAS 210 Introduction to Nanotechnology (Spring)
  Prerequisite(s): One college-level chemistry course or permission of the instructor

Basic Science and Engineering Electives

CBE 231 Thermodynamics of Fluids (Fall/Spring)
 Prerequisite(s): CBE 230 Material and Energy Balances of Chemical Processes.

CBE 351 Heat and Mass Transport (Fall/Spring)
 Prerequisite(s): CBE 350 Fluid Mechanics

ESE 218 Physics and Modeling of Semiconductor Devices (Spring)
 Prerequisite(s): ESE 215 Electrical Circuits and Systems I (Fall)

ESE 310 Electric and Magnetic Fields (Fall)
 Prerequisite(s): PHYS 151 and MATH 241

MEAM 203 Thermodynamics I (Fall/Spring)

MEAM 302/CBE 350 Fluid Mechanics (Fall/Spring)
 Prerequisite(s): MATH 241 and PHYS 150 or MEAM 110/147

MEAM 333 Heat and Mass Transfer
 Prerequisite(s): MATH 241 and MEAM 302

MEAM 572 Micro/Nanoscale Energy Transport
 Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate thermodynamics and heat transfer (or equivalent), or permission of the instructor. Undergraduates may enroll with permission of the instructor.

MSE 221 Quantum Mechanics (Fall)

MSE 260 Macro and Nanoscale Materials (Spring)
MSE 435 Analysis of the Structure of Materials

Biotechnology and Biophysics Electives

BE 350 Transport Processes in Living Systems
 Prerequisite(s): Math 241 or equivalent, Physics 140 or 150

CBE 150 Fundamentals of Biotechnology (Fall/Spring)

CBE 479 Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering
 Prerequisite(s): CBE 150 or equivalent. Junior/Senior Standing in Engineering

CBE 480 Laboratory in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
 Prerequisite(s): CBE 479 or Permission of the Instructor.

PHYS 280 Biological Physics
 Taught by Prof. Phil Nelson, 2009 Emily M. Gray Award Recipient of the Biophysical Society (http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/article.php?id=1479)
  Prerequisite(s): PHYS 101 (or higher), MATH 104 and (MATH 114 or MATH 115). Recommended: previous or concurrent PHYS 102; basic background in chemistry and biology.

Nano/Micro Fabrication and Devices Electives

CSE 398 Quantum Computer and Information Science
 Prerequisite(s): CIS 260, CIS 262, and Math 240

ESE 460 Principles of Microfabrication Technology
 Prerequisite(s): Any of the following: ESE 218, MEAM 333, CBE 351, PHYS 250 or permission of the instructor.

ESE/MEAM 550 Design and Modeling of MEMs
 Prerequisite(s): MEAM 527 or equivalent is recommended. Undergraduates need permission.

ESE/MSE 525 Nanometer Scale Science and Engineering

MSE 465/565 Fabrication and Characterization of Nanostructured Devices (Fall)

 

Sample curricula might look like this:

Materials Science majors could take...

• EAS 210 Introduction to Nanotechnology
• MSE 221 Quantum Mechanics
• MSE 260 Macro and Nanoscale Materials
• ESE 218 Physics and Modeling of Semiconductor Devices
• ESE 460 Principles of Microfabrication Technology

   And then select elect one (1) of these

BE 350 Transport Processes in Living Systems

CBE 150 Fundamentals of Biotechnology

CBE 351 Heat and Mass Transport

MEAM 302/CBE 350 Fluid Mechanics

PHYS 280 Biological Physics

Mechanical Engineering majors could take……

• EAS 210 Introduction to Nanotechnology
• MEAM 203 Thermodynamics I
• MEAM 333 Heat and Mass Transfer
• PHYS 280 Biological Physics
• ESE 460 Principles of Microfabrication Technology
• MSE 465/565 Fabrication and Characterization of Nanostructured Devices

For further course descriptions and syllabi, please visit the SEAS Course Syllabi Directory at http://alliance.seas.upenn.edu/~syllabi/dynamic/index.php

Links to Forms/Downloads

• on-line sign-up – sends an automatic email to NBIC to register the student as being interested
• Application for a Minor – SEAS form required to apply the minor to the students transcripts
• Course Proposal Guide – NBIC form we require to approve the course selection plan will be changed to reflect new format

FAQ’s

What courses are required?

The only course required for the minor in nanotechnology is EAS 210 Introduction to Nanotechnology

What courses are electives?

The electives courses for the minor in nanotechnology are:

Basic Science and Engineering Electives

CBE 231 Thermodynamics of Fluids
CBE 351 Heat and Mass Transport
ESE 218 Physics and Modeling of Semiconductor Devices
ESE 310 Electric and Magnetic Fields
MEAM 203 Thermodynamics I
MEAM 302/CBE 350 Fluid Mechanics
MEAM 333 Heat and Mass Transfer
MEAM 572 Micro/Nanoscale Energy Transport
MSE 221 Quantum Mechanics
MSE 260 Macro and Nanoscale Materials
MSE 435 Analysis of the Structure of Materials

Biotechnology and Biophysics Electives

BE 350 Transport Processes in Living Systems
CBE 150 Fundamentals of Biotechnology
CBE 479 Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering
CBE 480 Laboratory in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
PHYS 280 Biological Physics

Nano/Micro Fabrication and Devices Electives

CSE 398 Quantum Computer and Information Science
ESE 460 Principles of Microfabrication Technology
ESE/MEAM 550 Design and Modeling of MEMs
ESE/MSE 525 Nanometer Scale Science and Engineering
MSE 465/565 Fabrication and Characterization of Nanostructured Devices

What is the first thing I need to do?

Register your interest online at (the 1st link from the Forms section)

What forms are required?

Two forms are needed.  One form is completed and turned in the Academic Program Office in School of Engineering and Applied Science (2nf link in Forms).  The second form is a Course Proposal Guide.  It is turned in the NBIC office for approval (3rd link from Forms).

Can I minor in nanotech if I am a SEAS student?

Yes, all SEAS students may minor in nanotechnology.

Can I minor in nanotech if I am a SAS student?

Yes, all SAS students may minor in nanotechnology

Can I minor in nanotech if I am a Wharton student?

Yes, Wharton students (especially Finance) have a minor in nanotechnology

Links: 

SmallTimes Magazine article (May/June 2006).

Mihail Roco article in Scientific American (August 2006).

Research Experience Opportunities:
http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/index.asp