Minor in Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is the branch of engineering in which we understand and control the formation of structures and materials on scales ranging from the atomic to the micrometer. Ever since Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman’s speech in which he argued ‘There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom,’ nanotechnology has been central to advances in electronic, mechanical, and biological systems. Research and innovation at the nano scale is interdisciplinary, fast-paced, and the source of breakthroughs in many of the Grand Challenges for Engineering in the Twenty-first Century. Penn’s commitment to nanotechnology has culminated in the Singh Center, which houses the tools necessary to make and measure nanostructures. The Minor in Nanotechnology will provide you the tools to understand many nanotechnology advances, such as modern electronic systems, micromechanical systems, and nanoengineered materials, and will also allow you to understand business and environmental applications of this exciting science. By thinking ‘small,’ the Nano minor will enlarge the potential of students’ science, engineering, or business major programs of study.

Requirements of the Minor in Nanotechnology:

To earn the Minor in Nanotechnology at Penn, students need to complete six courses following the below requirements.

1) One required course: ENGR 212 Concepts in Micro- and Nanotechnology
Prerequisites: MATH 104 and PHYS 93/140 (or higher), or Permission of the Instructor

2) At least one course from each of these three categories:

• Basic Science and Engineering Electives
  • CBE 231 Thermodynamics of Fluids (Spring): Prerequisite(s): CBE 230 Material and Energy Balances of Chemical Processes.
  • CBE 351 Heat and Mass Transport (Spring): Prerequisite(s): CBE 350 Fluid Mechanics
  • ESE 218 Electric, Photonic of Semiconductor Devices (Fall): Prerequisite(s): PHYS 150, PHYS 151
  • ESE 310 Electric and Magnetic Fields (Spring): Prerequisite(s): PHYS 151 and MATH 241
  • ESE 321 Physics and Models of Semiconductor Devices (Fall): Prerequisite: ESE 218 or by permission of the instructor
  • MEAM 203 Thermodynamics I (Fall/Spring): Prerequisites: MATH 104 and MATH 114
  • MEAM 302/CBE 350 Fluid Mechanics (Fall): Prerequisite(s): MATH 241 or ENM 251 and PHYS 150 or MEAM 110/147
  • MEAM 333 Heat and Mass Transfer (Spring): Prerequisite(s): MEAM 203 and MEAM 302
  • MSE 221 Quantum Mechanics (Fall/Spring): Prerequisites: take PHYS 141 and MATH 240 concurrently with MSE 221
  • MSE 260 Macro and Nanoscale Materials (Spring): Prerequisite: CHEM 102
• Biotechnology and Biophysics Electives
  • BE 350 Introduction to Biotransport Process (Spring): Prerequisite(s): MATH 241 or equivalent, PHYS 140 or 150, BE 200
  • CBE 150 Introduction of Biotechnology (Fall)
  • CBE 479 Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering (Fall): Prerequisite(s): CBE 150 or Permission of the Instructor. Junior/Senior Standing in Engineering
  • CBE 480 Laboratory in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (Spring): Prerequisite(s): CBE 479 or Permission of the Instructor
  • PHYS 280 Physical Models of Biological Systems (Fall): Taught by Prof. Phil Nelson, 2009 Emily M. Gray Award Recipient of the Biophysical Society (http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/article.php?id=1479); Prerequisite(s): PHYS 101 (or higher), MATH 104 and (MATH 114 or MATH 115); Recommended: previous or concurrent PHYS 102; basic background in chemistry and biology.
• Nano/Micro Fabrication and Devices Electives
  • CIS 398 Quantum Computer and Information Science (Fall/Spring): Prerequisites: PHYS 151, MATH 240, MATH 312, MATH 314, CIS 160 and CIS 262
  • ESE 460 Principles of Microfabrication Technology (Fall): Prerequisites: Any of the following: ESE 218, MEAM 333, CBE 351, PHYS 250 or permission of the instructor
  • ESE 536 Nanofabrication and Nanocharacterization (Spring): Prerequisite: ESE 525 or MSE 525 or permission of the instructor
  • MEAM 550 Design of Microelectromechanical Systems (Spring): Prerequisites: MEAM 354 or equivalent is recommended.
  • ESE/MSE 525 Nanometer Scale Science and Engineering (Fall): Prerequisites: ESE 218 or PHYS 240 or MSE 220 or equivalent, or by permission.
  • MSE 465/565 Fabrication and Characterization of Nanostructured Devices (Spring)

3) For the 6 courses used for the minor, no more than two courses can be used that are also required for your major AND no more than two courses can be used that are offered by the department of your major.

4) The Faculty Director (Prof. Allen) must approve the courses you plan to take for the minor. He will review applicants’ course proposal forms (see below), and any potential modifications in course planning once students are accepted into the program.

Sample Curricula:

Sample curricula might look like this:

Electrical and Systems Engineering majors could take:

• ENGR 212 Concepts in Micro- and Nanotechnology
• ESE 460 Principles of Microfabrication Technology
• ESE/MSE 525 Nanometer Scale Science and Engineering
• MEAM 572 Micro/Nanoscale Energy Transport
• MSE 465/565 Fabrication and Characterization of Nanostructured Devices
• And then select one (1) of these:
  BE 350 Transport Processes in Living Systems
  CBE 150 Fundamentals of Biotechnology
  PHYS 280 Biological Physics

• ENGR 212 Concepts in Micro- and Nanotechnology
• MSE 221 Quantum Mechanics
• MSE 260 Macro and Nanoscale Materials
• ESE 218 Physics and Modeling of Semiconductor Devices
• ESE 525 Nanoscale Science and Engineering
• And then select one (1) of these:
  BE 350 Introduction to Biotransport Process
  CBE 150 Introduction of Biotechnology
  CBE 351 Heat and Mass Transport
  MEAM 302/CBE 350 Fluid Mechanics
  PHYS 280 Physical Models of Biological Systems

• ENGR 212 Concepts in Micro- and Nanotechnology
• MEAM 203 Thermodynamics I
• MEAM 333 Heat and Mass Transfer
• PHYS 280 Physical Models of Biological Systems
• ESE 525 Nanoscale Science and Engineering
• ESE 536 Nanofabrication and Nanocharacterization

For further course descriptions and syllabi, please visit the Course Register at https://catalog.upenn.edu/undergraduate/engineering-applied-science/

Links to Forms/Downloads

• Contact Vicky Lee if you are interested in the Nanotechnology minor.
• Application for a Minor – SEAS form required to apply the minor to the students’ transcripts.
• Course Proposal Form – This form needs to be reviewed with and signed by Prof. Mark Allen. To make an appointment with Dr. Allen, contact Ms. Vicky Lee. The signed Course Proposal Form should be taken to the MSE Office (LRSM 201).