Individuals who want a general academic program and who may not be sure what they want to do usually choose a four-year college or university. Such a program lays the foundation for more advanced studies and professional work. Four-year colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees (the B.A. and B.S.) in most areas in the arts and sciences, such as English literature, foreign languages, history, economics, political science, biology, zoology, chemistry, and in many other fields.

In order to work with complex, high-tech equipment, many nanotechnology jobs, like advanced manufacturing jobs, require participation in a formal training program. 4-year universities often provide such training programs. Nanotechnology has many scientific jobs that require at least a four-year Bachelor's Degree while others require a Master's Degree and Doctoral work. City University of New York offers a Ph.D. in Nanotechnology & Materials Chemistry as part of the Ph.D. program in chemistry.

Bachelor's Degree Programs

Louisiana Tech University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nanosystems Engineering, a Master of Science in Molecular Sciences and Nanotechnology, and an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Engineering that focuses on micro/nanosystems.

Other Resources for Undergraduates

Every summer, the National Nanofabrication Infrastructure Network hosts a Research Experience for Undergraduates Program (NNIN REU) from June to August. Engineering and science students with a genuine interest in nanotechnology are eligible if they are not graduating before the end of the program in August. Also, applicants must be Citizens or Permanent Residents of the United States. Minority and female candidates are especially encouraged to apply. For the full program information, please visit the NNIN REU Information Center.

• Cornell University, Research Experience for Undergraduates at the Nanobiotechnology Center
• Northwestern University, Research Experience for Undergraduates at the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center
• University of Central Florida, Research Experience for Undergraduates at the Nanoscience and Technology Center

Master's Degree Programs

• Rice University offers a Professional Master of Science in Nanoscale Physics
• University of Albany, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, offers a Ph.D. and M.S.

Doctorate Programs

• University of Albany, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, offers a Ph.D. and M.S.
• University of Washington, Ph.D. in Nanotechnology

Examples of Programs and Courses on Nanoscale Science and Engineering Offered in U.S. Colleges and Universities

• Cornell University, Nanobiotechnology Course
• Florida Institute of Technology, Nanoscience/Nanotechnology Lab Course
• George Mason University, Graduate Certificate in Nanotechnology and Nanoscience
• Kansas State University, Visual Quantum Mechanics
• Michigan Technological University, interdisciplinary minor in Nanoscale Science and Engineering (Nanotechnology)
• Purdue University, Graduate Level Courses in Nanoscale Science and Engineering
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Nanostructured Materials
• Rice University, Introduction to Nanoscience
• University of Central Florida, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Track (B.S.) Liberal Studies Major
• University of Maryland, Educating for the Nano Era
• University of Texas at Austin's Graduate Portfolio Program in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is a certification program which provides an opportunity for doctoral students to obtain credentials in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology while they are completing the requirements for a doctoral degree in a particular discipline.
• University of Washington, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the Joint Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Intensive Courses in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
• University of Wisconsin - Madison and other institutions collaborating with the UW Materials Research Science and Engineering Center on Nanostructured Interfaces, Nano-related Course Information and Syllabi

What Do You Want to Do Next?

 Find 4-year colleges that offer courses in nanotechnology:

View 4-year Colleges in Your State

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 Get started with the U.S. Department of Education's Think College web site. It will help you get started navigating the sometimes confusing world of college.

Whatever you decide, you are in the driver's seat!

(Source: http://www.nano.gov/html/edu/eduunder.html
Courtesy: National Nanotechnology Coordination Office)