The Graduate School Bulletin
Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering
2901 East Lee Street, Suite 2200
Greensboro, NC 27401
Graduate Programs:
Professional Master of Science in Nanoscience (MS), 33 hours; technical concentration, 33 hours
Doctor of Philosophy in Nanoscience (PhD), 60 hours
Graduate Faculty
Overview
NAN Nanoscience Courses
Graduate Faculty
Professor
James Ryan, PhD, Thin films, nanoelectronics, semiconductor process technology (Dean).
Ethan Will Taylor, PhD, structural bioinformatics, molecular modeling and drug design, applied molecular biotechnology, nanotechnology and virology.
Associate Professor
Joseph Starobin, PhD, Application of methods of theoretical, mathematical and computational physics to cardiovascular research; electrophysiological data collection with MEMS and nano-enabled sensors.
Adjunct Associate Professor
Dennis LaJeunesse, PhD, Mitochondrial morphology in cellular function.
Assistant Professor
Adam Hall, PhD, Developing novel fabricated structures at the nanometer scale and using them to detect, manipulate, and probe single biological molecules.
Overview
The Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) is a collaboration of North Carolina A&T State University and The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. JSNN’s research and educational programs focus on the emerging areas of nanoscience and nanoengineering. The strengths of the two universities in the basic sciences and in engineering make them ideal partners for this new, interdisciplinary school. JSNN faculty and students will be able to access laboratories and classrooms at NC A&T, UNCG and the Gateway University Research Park while the leading-edge JSNN facility is being constructed.
Nanotechnology is often referred to as convergent technology because it utilizes knowledge from a diverse array of disciplines including biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and technology. Nanotechnology is rapidly becoming a large part of the world’s economy, generating an array of materials, technologies, and new products. JSNN’s Professional Master of Science in nanoscience and PhD in nanoscience degree programs have been developed to meet the need for trained professionals in the emerging high technology industries using nanotechnology.
Initially, JSNN will have four research focus areas—nanobioscience, nanometrology, nanomaterials (with special emphasis on nanocomposite materials), and nanobioelectronics. These technical areas will afford numerous opportunities for collaboration with industrial partners.
Academic Ineligibility
Fully admitted students will become academically ineligible to continue in the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering if (1) grades less than B (3.0) are received in more than 6 semester hours or (2) a grade of F is received in any course. Only grades of B (3.0) or better will count toward the doctoral degree.
Master of Science in Nanoscience
The 33-hour, non-thesis MS in Nanoscience follows the Professional Master of Science degree model, featuring course work in nanosciences and business and an internship to provide practical experience. It is designed for students with strong backgrounds in technical fields who seek additional specialized training to qualify them for positions in companies that work in the field of nanotechnology.
Application and Admission
In addition to the application materials required by The Graduate School, applicants must submit a personal statement indicating their interest in the program and a current Curriculum vitae. Students may be admitted for either Fall or Spring terms. The deadline to apply is April 1.
Qualified applicants will have a BS degree in an area related to nanoscience (physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, computer science, or engineering) and, as a minimum, completed calculus through differential equations.
Degree Requirements
Nanoscience Survey Courses (9 hours)
Students choose three courses to introduce them to fundamental concepts, methods, and discoveries in different areas of nanoscience. Courses are being developed and will include the following:
NAN 601 Nanochemistry (3)
NAN 602 Nanobiology (3)
NAN 603 Nanophysics (3)
NAN 604 Nanotechniques (3) (pending approval)
Disciplinary Foundation Courses (9 hours)
Appropriate courses to build on the undergraduate degree ensuring appropriate depth of knowledge in the student's discipline will be selected with the student's program advisor. The University offering the course is indicated in parentheses.
Biology
BIO 504 Advanced Topics in Cell Biology (3) (UNCG)
BIO 595 Advanced Genetics (3) (UNCG)
BIO 543 Biophysics (3) (UNCG)
BIO 540 Genes and Signals (3) (UNCG)
Chemistry
CHE 553 Advanced Organic Chemistry I (3) (UNCG)
CHE 632 Advanced Analytical Chemistry (3) (UNCG)
CHE 641 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry II (3) (UNCG)
CHE 661 Advanced Physical Chemistry I (3) (UNCG)
Computational Sciences
CSC 640 Software Engineering (3) (UNCG)
CSC 653 Advanced Theory of Computation (3) (UNCG)
CSC 656 Foundations of Computer Science (3) (UNCG)
CSC 671 Advanced Database Systems (3) (UNCG)
Engineering
CHEN 655 Nanostructured Materials and Engineering Applications (3) (NC A&T)
ELEN 805 Thin Film Technology for Device Fabrication (3) (NC A&T)
ELEN 614 Integrated Circuit Fabrication Methods (3) (NC A&T)
Mathematics
MAT 546 Partial Differential Equations with Applications (3) (UNCG)
MAT 624 Numerical Mathematics (3) (UNCG)
MAT 695 Real Analysis (3) (UNCG)
STA 651 Mathematical Statistics (3) (UNCG)
Nutrition
NTR 625 Gene Expression and Protein Metabolism (2) (UNCG)
NTR 626 Energy, Carbohydrate, Lipid Metabolism (2) (UNCG)
NTR 627 Antioxidants and Bioactive Food Components (2) (UNCG)
NTR 628 Vitamins and Minerals (2) (UNCG)
Physics
PHYS 615 Electromagnetic Theory I (3) (NC A&T)
PHYS 620 Quantum Mechanics I (3) (NC A&T)
PHYS 630 Statistical Mechanics (3) (NC A&T)
PHYS 737 Physics of Solids (3) (NC A&T)
Technology
ECT 614 Microelectronics Fabrication Technology (3) (NC A&T)
MFG 651 Principles of Robotics (3) (NC A&T)
MFG 674 Study of Automation and Control Systems (3) (NC A&T)
MFG 760 Advanced MFG Process /Computer Numerical Control (CNC) (3) (NC A&T)
MFG 770 Managing a Total Quality System (3) (NC A&T)
MFG 780 Reliability Testing and Analysis (3) (NC A&T)
MSIT 673 Industrial Productivity Measurement and Analysis (3) (NC A&T)
MSIT 779 Statistical Research in Industrial Technology (3) (NC A&T)
TRAN 727 Global Supply Chain Management (3) (NC A&T)
Business/Management Courses (9 hours)
MBA 701 Quantitative Analysis for Decision Making (3) (UNCG)
MBA 702 Financial and Managerial Accounting (3) (UNCG)
MBA 703 Economic Environment of the Firm (3) (UNCG)
MBA 703 Economic Environment of the Firm (3) (UNCG)
MBA 704 Leadership Assessment and Career Enhancement (3) (UNCG)
MBA 706 Marketing Management (3) (UNCG)
MBA 710 Ethical Leadership and Sustainable Business (3) (UNCG)
ACCT 708 Seminar in Financial Concepts (3) (NC A&T)
BUAD 705 Methods in Business Analysis (3) (NC A&T)
BUAD 712 Foundations of Enterprise Management (3) (NC A&T)
Internship/Project (6 hours) (Capstone Experience)
All students must complete a 6-hour internship in an appropriate private or public enterprise engaged in research, commercialization, or manufacturing or 6-hour project on an appropriate subject.
Technical Concentration (33 hours)
Student pursuing the technical concentration in nanoscience will complete the requirements listed above, replacing the 9 hours of business/management courses with 9 hours of technical courses. Possible courses include:
CSE 785 Mathematical Methods in Nanotechnology (NC A&T) or equivalent (3)
NAN 611 Lab Rotations (up to 3 hours)
4th Nanoscience Survey Course (3)
4th Disciplinary Foundation Course (3)
Doctor of Philosophy in Nanoscience
The PhD in Nanoscience requires a minimum of 60 hours and is designed to prepare students to take positions in industrial, governmental, or academic research settings by providing a solid background in nanoscience theory and experimental techniques through course work and dissertation research. Advanced elective courses in nanoscience areas ensure students will have substantial depth of understanding in their area of interest and enable them to effectively carry out advanced nanoscience research.
Application and Admission
In addition to the application materials required by The Graduate School, applicants must submit a personal statement indicating their interest in the program and a current Curriculum vitae. Students are admitted for the Fall terms. The deadline to apply is April 1.
Qualified applicants will have a BS degree in an area related to nanoscience (physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, computer science, or engineering) and, as a minimum, completed calculus through differential equations.
Degree Requirements
Fundamentals of Nanoscience Courses (15 hours)
CSE 785 Mathematical Methods in Nanotechnology (NC A&T) (3)
NAN 601 Nanochemistry (3)
NAN 602 Nanobioscience (3)
NAN 603 Nanophysics (3)
NAN 704 Nanotechniques (3)
Laboratory Rotations (4 hours)
In the first two semesters of study, students will rotate through four research labs (seven weeks in each lab) to become familiar with research at JSNN and to provide training in laboratory techniques needed for dissertation research. With the advice of the advisor/committee and permission of the faculty member responsible for the lab, students will select labs based on their interests.
NAN 611 Nanoscience Laboratory Rotation (4)
Nanoscience Seminar (2 hours)
In the first two semesters of study, students will take professional development seminars that will expose them to a variety of research and professional development topics such as intellectual property issues, confidentiality, ethical issues in nanoscience, writing successful grant proposals, effective presentation and writing skills, etc.
NAN 621 Professional Development Seminar I (1)
NAN 622 Professional Development Seminar II (1)
Qualifying Examination
Students will take a qualifying exam on their knowledge of the fundamentals of nanoscience at the end of their first year of coursework in order to continue in the program.
Advanced Nanoscience Electives (15 hours)
Beginning in the second year of the program, each student will choose 3-4 doctoral-level elective courses from the following areas: physics, chemistry, nutrition, engineering, mathematics, computer science, biology and environmental science. Students may substitute dissertation research for two electives in the third year with the consent of the student's advisor/committee.
Dissertation Research (24 hours minimum)
By the end of the first year, students will select a dissertation advisor and prepare a dissertation proposal. Students will present their proposals to a general JSNN audience in the form of a seminar and defend the proposal in the form of an oral exam.
Dissertation research begins in the second year and students will take a minimum of 3 hours of dissertation research each semester.
Students will complete a written dissertation of their research and give a public oral presentation of the completed work. The student also must defend orally the dissertation to the dissertation comment. The seminar and defense must occur in the same term that the student applies for graduation.
NAN 799 Nanoscience Dissertation Research (24)
Other Requirements
Seminars
Students are required to attend departmental and JSNN seminars so they may acquire a broad understanding of various current problems in nanoscience.
Teaching Experience
Students are required to gain the equivalent of two semesters of teaching experience, which may be met through a variety of means. Students will work with their advisor/committee to develop a suitable plan to gain appropriate teaching experience.
NAN Nanoscience Courses
601 Nanochemistry (3:3)
Pr. graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor
Review of materials chemistry, synthesis of nanoparticles such as carbon nanotubes and fullerens, chemical reactions and a survey of medicinal chemistry for pharmaceutical applications.
602 Nanobiology (3:3)
Pr. graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor
Emphasis on cellular and intracellular mechanisms including biological self-assembly, cytoskeletal interactions, protein folding, membrane dynamics, biological energetics, and cell-cell interactions as well as biomaterials.
603 Nanophysics (3:3)
Pr. graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor
Emphasis on the areas of physics critical to nanoscience including solid state physics, statistical mechanics, quantum concepts, biophysics, chemical physics, and nanodevices based on semiconductors.
604 Nanotechniques (3:3)
Pr. graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor
Fundamental techniques used in nanotechology, including methods for nanofabrication, nanocharacterization, and nanomanipulation.
611 Nanoscience Laboratory Rotation (1:0:4)
Pr. graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor
A 7-week laboratory rotation intended to develop skills with scientific equipment and provide initial experience with nanoscale research. Four distinct laboratory rotations are required for the PhD in nanoscience. May be repeated for credit. (Graded on S-U basis)
621 Professional Development Seminar I (1:1)
Pr. graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor
Workplace issues including ethics, confidentiality, writing and presentation skills, innovation, entrepreneurship, and emerging issues in nanotechnology. (Graded on S-U basis)
622 Professional Development Seminar II (1:1)
Pr. graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor
Workplace issues including business plans, globalization, emerging issues in nanotechnology, and further development of writing and presentation skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship. (Graded on S-U basis)
698 Professional MS in Nanoscience Internship (6:0:24)
Pr. graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor
Internship at facility engaged in nanotechnology activity in order to gain practical experience with aspects of nanotechnology. (Graded on S-U basis)
740 Nonlinear Waves in Biological Excitable Media (3:3)
Pr. graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor
Dynamics of reaction-diffusion waves and implementation of theoretical methods to the analysis of these waves in cardiac muscle and nerves.
745 NanoImaging (3:3)
Pr. graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor
Use of nanoparticles for in vivo diagnostic medical imaging and therapy.
750 Nanomedicine (3:3)
Pr. graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor. Basic biology.
General underlying mechanisms leading to imflammation, infectious disease, cancer, and autoimmune disease and the potential nanotechnology has on diagnosing, preventing, and treating these diseases.
771 Computational Quantum Nanochemistry (3:3)
Pr. graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor
Fundamentals of computational quantum mechanics and related computational methods applicable to nanoscience. Includes hands-on computer exercises.
799 Nanoscience Dissertation Research (1-12)
802 Dissertation Extension (1-3)
803 Research Extension (1-3)