Nanoscience Technology

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. WHAT IS NANOTECHNOLOGY?

Nanoscience or nanotechnology is the study and application of systems at the molecular and atomic level. It includes research, observation, measurement and manipulation at or near the nanometer range - a nanometer is one billionth of a meter. For comparison the diameter of a human hair is around 80,000 nanometers.

The advent of current nanotechnology over the last 15 years came about for many reasons, but most dramatically because of the development of the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). With an AFM scientists can study arrays of atoms and molecular materials, observe their interactions, measure their properties and manipulate individual atoms. Applications for nanoscale materials are already in the market place with an exponential increase expected over the next decade.

The National Science Foundation is forecasting a need for one to two million trained nanoscience workers in the next decade with a need of 4 to 5 technicians for every Ph.D. scientist or engineer.

Q2. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE CURRICULUM?

Just as the development of the optical microscope 350 years ago changed the way scientists viewed and studied everything from biology to structural materials to geology, the development of the AFM and nanoscience are impacting every discipline. As a result of this multi-disciplinary impact, the DCTC program supports the development of employees in the nanoelectronics, nanobiotechnology/agriculture and nanomaterials market segments.

DCTC's program starts in the first semester with the introduction to nanoscale interactions, forces, tools of nanotechnology and biological systems. In the second semester the focus is on nanoscale chemistry and physics effects. Computer simulation of nanoscale systems is also taught in the second semester.

Based on this nanotechnology foundation, the third semester offers detail level courses in the three topical areas mentioned above as well as manufacturing, QA and reliability.

We have more than 25 corporate partners that support the program in multiple ways by serving on advisory and curriculum development committees, providing guest lecturers and laboratory tours. In the third and fourth semesters, students participate in an internship program, working in several companies over those two semesters. The fourth semester is a capstone experience at the University of Minnesota involving lectures and laboratory/ equipment experience in the U of M's Nanofabrication Lab, the Materials Characterization Lab, and the Nanoparticles/Biotechnology Labs.

Q3. WHAT WILL I DO WITH THE A.A.S. DEGREE?

After completing the two year program, the graduating student will have many options.

Some students may choose to continue their education at a four-year institution applying the nanoscience focus to any of the more traditional disciplines such as molecular biology, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or computer science. DCTC has articulation agreements with several institutions which allow for the direct transfer of earned credits.

Students may choose to enter the workforce, again with a multiplicity of options. Many companies working with nanotechnology are in the research stage of development and there is a great need for research technicians. Research technicians support the work of scientists and engineers by performing experiments, operating and maintaining equipment such as an AFM, and verifying nanoscale properties of materials.

Marketing and business development employees savvy in the nanoscience area are also needed. The roles involve market analysis, competitive assessment as well as product marketing. For a company involved in the nanotechnology arena, it is critical that the marketing force understands the science.

Finally, as nanoscience matures and research turns into product prototypes and those products enter the marketplace, employers will need manufacturing expertise along with quality assurance and reliability workers that understand the nuances of "building" with small materials - for example embedding nanomaterials into paint, building materials or sensor systems to enhance product capability.

Q4. WHERE WILL I WORK?

Not only will students have options in terms of job function, but they will also have to determine the type of company they would like to work at. Within the Twin Cities area there are more than 40 companies involved with nanotechnology. Some of these companies are very large and well established while others have less than 50 employees and are still in the start-up stage of commercialization. Also, students will find employers in all of our industry areas- nanoelectronics, nanobiotech/agriculture and nanomaterials.