What is the Nano Minor?

The Maryland nano community has increasingly focused its educational offerings at both the undergraduate and graduate level on nanoscale science and engineering targets of its various traditional disciplines, leading to an evolution of focus, example, and projects in existing courses as well as the generation of new courses.

To meet the rapidly growing interest of students in nano, and to create the nano workforce of the future, Maryland NanoCenter is in the process of finalizing an innovative undergraduate program, the Interdisciplinary Minor Program in Nanoscale Science and Technology, drawing faculty and courses from multiple departments of the A. James Clark School of Engineering and the College of Computer, Math, and Physical Sciences. The program is open to any student majoring in Engineering, Physics, or Chemistry.

This program draws upon the expertise of existing and new nano faculty at Maryland to prepare students for careers in the rapidly growing field of nanoscale science and technology (NS&T).

Eligibility & How to Apply

This minor is designed to be accessible and available to any student within the Colleges of Engineering and Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences. It is open to all students who have the necessary prerequisites to enroll in the courses which constitute the minor.

To apply:

1. Read and understand the requirements below for completing the minor.
2. Download and fill out the Nano Declaration Record Form.
3. Submit the form to your Departmental Coordinator:
   
   Mechanical Engineering:
   Prof. Bao Yang (baoyang@umd.edu)
   
   Electrical and Computer Engineering:
   Prof. Donald Yeung
   yeung@umd.edu
   
   or
   
   Ms. Kathryn Weiland
   Director of Undergraduate Studies
   kweiland@umd.edu
   
   Chemistry:
   Prof. Sang Bok Lee
   Maryland NanoCenter Director
   slee@umd.edu
   
   Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering:
   Prof. Srini Raghavan
   sraghava@umd.edu
   
   Fischell Department of Bioengineering:
   Prof. Ian M. White
   ianwhite@umd.edu

Formal Requirements for Completing the Nano Minor

1. The minor requirement will consist of a total of five courses (at least 15 credits) from those listed on the courses page.
2. At least two of the courses (6 credits) must be from the list of Nanofabrication/Nanosynthesis and/or Nanocharacterization electives.
3. At least two of the courses (6 credits) must be from the list of Fundamental Science and/or Nanoscience Electives. At least one of these must be listed as a Nanospecialization/application elective.
4. Up to two courses (6 credits) may be double counted, i.e. used both toward satisfying the requirements of the major and the NS&T minor.
5. Three of the courses (9 credits) must be from outside the individual major. Cross listed courses (e.g. ENMA460/PHYS431) which are offered by the major department do not qualify as being outside the major.
6. At least three of the courses (9 credits) must be at the 400 level or above.
7. No more than two courses (6 credits) from any one department will be credited toward the NS&T minor.
8. A grade of "C" or above is required in all courses to be credited toward the NS&T minor.
9. Students wishing to participate in the NS&T minor must declare participation formally. Declaration of participation in the NS&T minor must follow a meeting with the individual department representative to the NS&T committee who will help the student to develop a program of courses suitable for the minor and a schedule for taking those courses. Examples of model programs for each participating department are given below. Students from outside participating departments will consult with one of the MSE representatives to develop a program of courses and declare participation.
10. Research experience (XXXX499) courses may be included in the NS&T minor in addition to those listed above, provided that the research is NS&T-related. The course must be within a participating department. Similarly, if the design capstone course (e.g. ENMA490) from a department is judged to be in the area of NS&T, it may be counted as a Specialization Elective toward the minor. Judgment of whether these courses qualify will fall to the departmental NanoProgram Committee member.