Degree: Associate in Applied Science
HEGIS Code: 5311
Curriculum Code: 2448.NAN
Engineering & Technologies Division
Pre-Admission Recommendations:
Recommended H.S. Courses and/or Experiences:
Career Opportunities/Further Education:
Program Description
The Nanotechnology AAS degree program is designed to help prepare students from a broad range of disciplines for careers in fields involving Nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is engineering at the atomic length scale, a size range which until recently was only available to nature. Being able to engineer such small structures opens the door to a multitude of new opportunities in the fields of electronic and semiconductor fabrication technology, micro-technology labs, material science labs, chemical technology, biotechnology, biopharmaceutical technology, and environmental science.
Students will study electronic device and circuit behavior, basic chemistry and fabrication techniques used to create micron and submicron scale structures. Techniques covered include reactive ion etching, metallization, thick and thin film deposition and photolithography.
Graduates will enter the job market with the skills necessary for positions in the following areas:
- electronic/semiconductor fabrication;
- biotechnology/biomimetics;
- medical;
- pharmaceuticals/medicine;
- materials design and testing;
- microelectromechanical devices (MEMs);
- forensics/security/military/defense;
- food processing;
- automotive/textiles/cosmetics;
- optics/photonics;
- optoelectronics;
- information storage;
- sales/marketing;
- university research; and
- water purification.
Program Competencies
Upon graduation with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Nanotechnology, the graduate will be qualified in working with the following items and their associated tasks:
- explain basic scientific principles related to the behavior of matter at the atomic and macroscopic levels in chemical, biological and mechanical systems;
- operate nanofabrication processing equipment with a focus on safety, environmental and health issues;
- perform basic nanofabrication processes;
- perform patterning for nanofabrication process;
- describe various vacuum pump systems and verify when a system is functioning properly;
- operate characterization equipment including optical microscopes, scanning probe microscopes, and electron microscopes; chemical, electrical and physical characterization equipment;
- communicate advanced technical concepts in an oral, written and graphical form;
- function effectively as a member of a technical team; and
- use a variety of sources to acquire and critically evaluate needed technical information and use it in an ethical, professional and legal manner.
Curriculum
Total Degree Credits: 61.0
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