Nanoscience, M.S. Instrumentation Concentration

The 30 credit, non-thesis M.S. in Nanoscience follows the Professional Science Master’s degree model, featuring coursework in Nanoscience 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. 

The non-thesis in M.S. in Nanoscience also has a concentration in Instrumentation. The M.S. in Nanoscience Instrumentation concentration involves coursework on the theory and application of nanoscale characterization and analytical instruments including scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy techniques, atomic force microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and surface analysis tools like the Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). This new Master of Science concentration will train individuals in the theory, operation, and implementation of these instruments in the context of material characterization. 

The on-campus M.S. in Nanoscience Thesis Option is a 30-credit program that includes the completion of a 6-credit thesis. Students are expected to start their research projects during their first year in the program.

Program Distinctions

The Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) is an academic collaboration between North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) and The University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNC Greensboro). Located on the South Campus of Gateway University Research Park, JSNN builds on the strengths of our universities to offer innovative, cross-disciplinary graduate programs in the emerging areas of nanoscience and nanoengineering.

JSNN is a $56.3 million, 105,000 square foot state-of-the-art science and engineering research facility, with nanoelectronics and nano-bio clean rooms, nanoengineering and nanoscience laboratories, and extensive materials analysis facilities. JSNN’s characterization capability includes a suite of microscopes from Carl Zeiss SMT®, including the only Orion Helium Ion microscope in the Southeast. Our visualization center allows three-dimensional imaging for modeling nanotechnology problems.  JSNN collaborates with Guilford Technical Community College and Forsyth Technical Community College on an internship program that exposes students to the advanced technology at its facility. JSNN also is actively engaged with K-12 outreach with Guilford County Schools.

The Student Experience

Sample Courses include:

• Nanobiology 
• Immunology
• Advances in Bio-sensors
• Biometrics and Biomaterials
• Nanotechniques

Including changes starting in 2021

Degree Program Outline for M.S. in Nanoscience, Thesis Option (Catalogue years after 2021)

Total: 31 credit hours 

Foundations of Nanoscience Courses (6 credits)   

• NAN 616     Principles of Nanoscience I: Physical, Chemical, and Biological Foundations
• NAN 617    Principles of Nanoscience II: Analytical, Statistical, and Computational Foundations

Elective Courses (15 credits)   

• Select 12 credits form NAN graduate courses*

Additional Required Courses (10 credits)   

• NAN 618     Lab Protocols and Practice¹   
• NAN 619    Science Communications¹
• NAN 710    Scientific Integrity

Thesis Research (6 Credits)

• NAN 699       Thesis

Degree Program Outline for MS in Nanoscience, Instrumentation concentration without thesis (Catalogue Years 2021 and beyond)

Total credits: 31-34 credits

Foundations of Nanoscience Courses (6 credits)   

• NAN 616     Principles of Nanoscience I: Physical, Chemical, and Biological Foundations
• NAN 617    Principles of Nanoscience II: Analytical, Statistical, and Computational Foundations

Elective Courses (3 credits)   

• Select 3 credits form NAN graduate courses*

Additional Required Courses (10 credits)   

• NAN 618     Lab Protocols and Practice¹   
• NAN 619    Science Communications¹
• NAN 710    Scientific Integrity
• NAN 698       Internship

Nanoscience Instrumentation Elective Courses (9-11 credits)   

Select three courses (9-11 credits) from the following: **   

• NAN 604    Nanotechniques   
• NAN 615    Spectroscopy Methods in Nanoscience   
• NAN 623    Optical Microscopy for Nanoscience   
• NAN 624    Particle Beam Microscopy for Nanoscience   
• NAN 625     Molecular Biology in Nanosciences   
• NAN 630     Advances in Nano-Biosensors
• NAN 771    Computational Quantum Nanochemistry

Degree Program Outline for MS in Nanoscience, Instrumentation concentration with Thesis (Catalogue Years 2021 and beyond)

Total credits: 31-34 credits

Foundations of Nanoscience Courses (6 credits)   

• NAN 616     Principles of Nanoscience I: Physical, Chemical, and Biological Foundations
• NAN 617    Principles of Nanoscience II: Analytical, Statistical, and Computational Foundations

Elective Courses (3 credits)   

• Select 3 credits form NAN graduate courses*

Additional Required Courses (10 credits)   

• NAN 618     Lab Protocols and Practice¹   
• NAN 619    Science Communications¹
• NAN 710    Scientific Integrity
• NAN 698       Internship

Nanoscience Instrumentation Elective Courses (9-11 credits)   

Select three courses (6-8 credits) from the following: **   

• NAN 604    Nanotechniques   
• NAN 615    Spectroscopy Methods in Nanoscience   
• NAN 623    Optical Microscopy for Nanoscience   
• NAN 624    Particle Beam Microscopy for Nanoscience   
• NAN 625     Molecular Biology in Nanosciences   
• NAN 630     Advances in Nano-Biosensors
• NAN 771    Computational Quantum Nanochemistry

Thesis Research (6 Credits)

• NAN 699       Thesis

Degree Program Outline for MS in Nanoscience, Professional Master’s In Business Concentration (Catalogue Years 2021 and beyond)

Foundations of Nanoscience Courses (6 credits)   

• NAN 616 Principles of Nanoscience I: Physical, Chemical, and Biological Foundations
• NAN 617    Principles of Nanoscience II: Analytical, Statistical, and Computational Foundations

Elective Courses (6 credits)   

• Select 6 credits from NAN graduate courses*

Professional Master’s in Business Concentration Courses (9 credits)   

Select three courses (9 credits) from the following:   

• MBA 701        Quantitative Analysis   
• MBA 702       Financial and Managerial Accounting   
• MBA 703       Economic Policies and Impact on Global Outcomes   
• MBA 706        Marketing Management   
• MBA 716       Leadership

Additional Required Courses (10 credits)   

• NAN 618     Lab Protocols and Practice¹   
• NAN 619    Science Communications¹
• NAN 710    Scientific Integrity
• NAN 698       Internship

After Graduation

Graduates are prepared for successful careers as applications engineers, holography and optics technicians, optical engineers, research scientists, or technical program managers.

Apply to Master of Science (MS) in Nanoscience with a concentration in Instrumentation

The on-campus M.S. in Nanoscience Thesis Option is a 30-credit program that includes the completion of a 6 credit thesis. Students are expected to start their research projects during their first year in the program.