Master of Science in Nanoscience degree

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Master of Science in Nanoscience degree

About the Master’s of Nanoscience

The 31-hour, non-thesis MS in Nanoscience follows the Professional Science Master’s degree model, featuring coursework in nanoscience and business, and an internship to provide practical experience. It’s designed for students with a strong background in technical fields who seek additional specialized training to qualify them for positions in companies that work in the field of nanotechnology. The non-thesis option for the MS in Nanoscience also has a concentration in Instrumentation for those students wishing to focus on the application and operation of advanced characterization tools used in nanoscale research. A 31-hour MS Thesis concentration is also available, which includes the completion of a 6 credit thesis.  The program is designed for students who seek in-depth, hands-on research experience while improving their scientific writing and mastery in nanoscience to continue further in their higher education.

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Program Details

Qualified applicants will have a Bachelor’s degree in a science or engineering discipline, and as a minimum will have completed mathematics up to Calculus II.

MS Professional (Non-thesis option)

The MS in Nanoscience non thesis option is comprised of:

Foundation Nanoscience Survey Courses (6 credits)

  • NAN 700: Principles of Nanoscience I: Physical, Chemical, and Biological Foundations (3)
  • NAN 706: Principles of Nanoscience II: Analytical, Statistical, and Computational Foundations (3)
  • NAN 710: Scientific Integrity (1)
  • NAN 707: Lab Protocols and Practice (3)
  • NAN 708: Science Communications (3)
  • NAN 698: Capstone Experience (3)

Nanoscience Elective Courses (15 credits)

Students may select relevant courses from outside NAN in consultation with their committee/advisor.

Total Credit Hours        31

MS in Nanoscience (Thesis Option) 

The MS in Nanoscience with thesis option is comprised of:

Foundation Nanoscience Survey Courses (6 credits)

  • NAN 700: Principles of Nanoscience I: Physical, Chemical, and Biological Foundations (3)
  • NAN 706: Principles of Nanoscience II: Analytical, Statistical, and Computational Foundations (3)
  • NAN 710: Scientific Integrity (1)
  • NAN 707: Lab Protocols and Practice (3)
  • NAN 708: Science Communications (3)
  • NAN 699: Thesis (6)

Nanoscience Elective Courses (12 credits)

Students may select relevant courses from outside NAN in consultation with their committee/advisor.

Total Credit Hours        31

Program Contacts

Title Name Email Address Phone Number
Director of Graduate Studies Dennis LaJeunesse drlajeun@uncg.edu (336) 285-2866
Department Chair Yirong Mo y_mo3@uncg.edu (336) 285-2813
Executive Assistant Nancy Brown nancy.brown@uncg.edu (336) 285-2746

Admissions Requirements

All applicants must have:

  1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a concentration or focus area related to Nanoscience (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science, or Engineering). For students from non-U.S. schools, applicants must submit their transcript for evaluation by the Graduate School, to demonstrate that their undergraduate performance satisfies this requirement.
  2. Satisfactory academic standing as an undergraduate. This corresponds to a B (3.0 GPA) average or better in the undergraduate major and in course prerequisites at a minimum, through completed calculus and differential equations (Calculus I & II).
  3. Satisfactory test score for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing. There is no minimum score requirement, as the GRE is only one aspect of the applicant’s overall qualifications. Higher scores are always better, of course. TOFEL (or IETLS) is required for international applicants.

In addition to the application materials (copies of test scores, official transcripts, and recommendation letters) required by The Graduate School, applicants must submit a personal statement indicating their interest in the program and a current Curriculum Vitae (C.V.).

Thesis and Non-Thesis Options and Courses Included

Nanoscience Survey Courses (9 credit hours)

  • NAN601: Nanochemistry (3)
  • NAN602: Nanobiology (3)
  • NAN603: Nanophysics (3)
  • NAN604: Nanotechniques (3)

Disciplinary Foundation Courses (9 credit hours)
Business/Management Courses (9 credit hours)
Internship/Project (3 credit hours) (Capstone Experience)

Fundamentals of Nanoscience Courses/Survey courses (12 credit hours)

  • NAN601: Nanochemistry (3)
  • NAN602: Nanobiology (3)
  • NAN603: Nanophysics (3)
  • NAN604: Nanotechniques (3)
  • NAN605: Mathematical Methods in Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (3)

Disciplinary Foundation Courses (6 credit hours)
Laboratory Rotation (4 credit hours)

  • NAN611: Nanoscience Laboratory Rotation (4)

Nanoscience Seminar Course (2 credit hours)

  • NAN621: Professional Development Seminar I (1)
  • NAN622: Professional Development Seminar II (1)

Thesis (6 credits hours)

  • NAN699: Thesis/Dissertation (6)

NAN601: Nanochemistry

Review of materials chemistry, synthesis of nanoparticles such as carbon nanotubes and fullerenes, chemical reactions and a survey of medicinal chemistry for pharmaceutical applications

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
3 (3:0)

NAN602: Nanobiology

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.

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
3 (3:0)

NAN603: Nanophysics

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.

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
3 (3:0)

NAN604: Nanotechniques

Fundamental techniques used in nanotechnology, including methods for nanofabrication, nano-characterization, and nanomanipulation.

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
3 (3:0)

NAN605: Mathematical Methods

An emphasis of this required course will be on the areas of mathematics critical to nanoscience and nanoengineering, including the application of differential equations to numerical and analytical modeling of nanostructures.

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
3 (3:0)

NAN609: Nanosafety

An interdisciplinary course utilizing a variety of academic disciplines (chemistry, physics, biology). Addresses the impact of nanomaterials through the range of organization that exists within living systems (molecular to societal).

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
3 (3:0)

NAN611: Analytical Chemistry Nanoscience

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 Ph.D. in nanoscience. Notes: May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
1 (0:1)

NAN615: Intro Spectroscopy Methods in Nanoscience

This course will introduce spectroscopy methods that, widely used in physics, chemistry, and biological sciences, provide knowledge for estimating applicability ranges of various methods, and teach the basics of spectroscopy instruments and data analysis.

Prerequisite: NAN 601, NAN 603, NAN 605.
3 (3:0)

NAN620: Immunology Nanoscience

A study of the molecular and cellular basis of the immune system. Topics include antigens and immunoglobulins’ properties, the development and regulation of humoral and cell-mediated immunity, resistance and immunization to infectious diseases, allergies, and autoimmune and immunodeficiency disorders.

Prerequisite: UNCG graduate student in sciences
3 (3:0)

NAN622: Professional Development

Workplace issues including business plans, globalization, emerging issues in nanotechnology, and further development of writing and presentation skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
3 (3:0)

NAN621: Professional Development

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
3 (3:0)

NAN625: Molecular Biology in Nanosciences

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
3 (2:3)

NAN626: Introduction to Stem Cell Biology and Ethics

Fundamental issues, experimental approaches, and emerging areas in stem cell research are accompanied by an understanding of the attendant ethical issues that arise from their use in healthcare applications.

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
3 (3:0)

NAN630: Advances in Nano-biosensors

Interdisciplinary, cutting-edge advances in biosensors with nano-perspectives; specific emphasis on fundamentals, principles, and progress of various types of nanobiosensors, and applications in disease diagnosis, biomedicines, life science, and environmental monitoring

Prerequisite: NAN 601, NAN 602, NAN 603, or equivalent courses; Corequisite: Graduate students at UNCG or JSNN or permission of instructors.
3 (3:0)

NAN655: Nano Biometrics & Nano Biomaterials

Emphasizes biomimetic and biological materials development and characterization. Topics range from natural to synthetic biomaterials, characterization of biomaterial properties, and discovery and application of novel biologically inspired materials.

Prerequisite: NAN 602, NAN 604, or permission of the instructor
3 (3:0)

NAN692: Directed Studies in Nanoscience

This course gives students flexibility in guided readings, research, and individual project work under the direction of a staff member that compliments their graduate project related to nanoscience. Repeatable up to 4 credits.

Permission of the Director of Graduate Study in Nanoscience and the professor who will supervise the study.
(1-4)

NAN698: Professional MS in Nanoscience Internship

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
6 (0:24)

NAN699: Master’s Thesis

Individual research for the completion of a Master’s Thesis.

Prerequisite: NONE
(1-6)

NAN705: Macromolecular and Supramolecular Chemistry Nanoscience

This course provides the fundamental concepts of macromolecular and supramolecular chemistry, self-assembly methodologies for supramolecular architectures, synthesis of hybrid nanomaterials, and their applications in nanoscience and nanoengineering.

Prerequisite: Nanochemistry (NAN 601) or Advanced Organic Chemistry course (CHE 553) or equivalent.
3 (3:0)

NAN710: Scientific Integrity

Explores contemporary issues related to scientific integrity and responsible conduct in research. Case-driven topics expose students to the issues that arise in scientific research and ways to handle these issues.

Prerequisite: Student at UNCG or JSNN or Permission of Instructor
1 (1:0)

NAN711: Experimental Nanoscience

ALL experimental courses.

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
3 (3:0)

NAN730: Nanoscale Reactions

A comprehensive introduction to principles, mechanisms, and applications of homo-and heterogeneous chemical or physic reactions from a nano-scale perspective incorporating recent research activities from selected peer-reviewed articles. Corequisite: Graduate student at UNCG or JSNN or permission of instructors. Notes: Nanoscience, chemistry, biology, and physics graduate students.

Prerequisite:NAN 601, NAN 602, NAN 603, or equivalent courses
3 (3:0)

NAN735: Nanomaterials and Reactions by Design

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor. Nanoscience graduate students must have completed JSNN’s Fundamentals of Nanoscience Courses, i.e., NAN 601, 602, 603, 604, or NAN 701, or their equivalent.
Offered
Every odd year in the Spring semester
3 (3:0)

NAN740: Nonlinear Waves in Biological Excitable Media

Dynamics of reaction-diffusion waves and implementation of theoretical methods to the analysis of these waves in cardiac muscle and nerves.

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
3 (3:0)

NAN745: Nanoimaging

Use of nanoparticles for in vivo diagnostic medical imaging and therapy.

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
3 (3:0)

NAN750: Nanomedicine

General underlying mechanisms leading to inflammation, infectious disease, cancer, and autoimmune disease and the potential nanotechnology has on diagnosing, preventing, and treating these diseases.

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor. Basic biology.
3 (3:0)

NAN771: Computational Quantum Nanochemistry

Fundamentals of computational quantum mechanics and related computational methods applicable to nanoscience. Includes hands-on computer exercises.

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
3 (3:0)

NAN799: Nanoscience Dissertation Research

Dissertation individual research of a Doctoral Dissertation

Prerequisite: NONE.
(1-3)

NAN802: Dissertation or Thesis Extension

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
(1-3)

NAN803: Research Extension Individual Study

Prerequisite: Graduate student in nanoscience or permission of instructor.
(1-3)