Nanotechnology, A.A.S.

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.

Licensure Compliance Statement

Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified. The Nanotechnology/AAS program at SUNY Erie Community College is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State. Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that Nanotechnology/AAS program at SUNY Erie Community College does not meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in any other U.S. State.  However, it is important to note that SUNY Erie Community College is not the licensure/certification authority in any U.S. State and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a license/certificate in any U.S. State and instead it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. State for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure/certification requirements and application processes.

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:

1. explain basic scientific principles related to the behavior of matter at the atomic and macroscopic levels in chemical, biological and mechanical systems;
2. operate nanofabrication processing equipment with a focus on safety, environmental and health issues;
3. perform basic nanofabrication processes;
4. perform patterning for nanofabrication process;
5. describe various vacuum pump systems and verify when a system is functioning properly;
6. operate characterization equipment including optical microscopes, scanning probe microscopes, and electron microscopes; chemical, electrical and physical characterization equipment;
7. communicate advanced technical concepts in an oral, written and graphical form;
8. function effectively as a member of a technical team; and
9. 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