05050 ENGR ENMA Add Minor in Nanoscience and Technology

UNIVERSITY OF 

NLAPV'AND I OFFICE OF THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT 

! FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND PROVOST 

MEMORANDUM 

March 3,2006 

TO: Nariman Farvardin 

'"*/% 

Dean, A. James Clark School of Engineering 

FROM: Phyllis Peres 

Associate Provost for Academic Planning and Programs 

11 19 Main Adininistration Building 

College Park. Maryland 20742-5031 

301.405.5252 TEL 301.405.8195 FAX 

SUBJECT: Proposal to add a Minor in Nanoscience and Technology (PCC Log No. 05050) 

At its meeting today, the Senate Committee on Programs, Curricula, and Courses 

approved your proposal to add a Minor in Nanoscience and Technology. A copy of the approved 

proposal is enclosed. 

The minor is effective immediately. The College should ensure that the new 

requirements are fully described in the Undergraduate Catalog and in all relevant descriptive 

materials. and that all advisors are informed. 

PP: cwr 

Enclosure 

cc: James Baeder, Chair, Senate PCC 

Sarah Bauder, Student Financial Aid 

Mary Giles, University Senate 

Barbara Hope, Data Administration 

Kathy McAdams, Undergraduate Studies 

Anne Turkos, Archives 

Linda Yokoi, Records & Registrations 

Gary Pertmer, A. James Clark School of Engineering 

Ray Phaneuf, A. James Clark School of Engineering 

Jennifer Dolan, A. James Clark School of Engineering

- ~- 

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK 

PROGRAMICURRICULUM PROPOSAL 

DIRECTIONS: 

Provide one form with original approval signatures in lines 1 - 4 for each proposed action. Keep this form to one page in length. 

= Early consultation with the Office of the Associate Provost for Academic Planning & Programs is strongly recommended if there are 

questions or concerns, particularly with new programs. 

Please submit the signed form to Claudia Rector, Office of the Associate Provost for Academic Planning and Programs, 11 19 Main 

Administration Building, Campus. 

Please email the rest of the proposal as an MSWord attachment to pcc-submissionsiic,umd.edu. 

DATE SUBMITTED-8129105- 

COLLEGEISCHOOL-Clark School of Engineering- 

PCC LOG NO. 

05050 

DEPARTMENTIPROGRAM-Interdisciplinary, centered in Materials Science and Engineeer- 

PROPOSED ACTION (A separate,formfor each) ADD-X- DELETE CHANGE 

DESCRIPTION (Provide a succinct account of the proposed action. Details should be provided in an 

attachment. Provide old and new sample programs for curricult~m changes.) 

Establish an Interdisciplinary Minor program in Nanoscience and Technology within Materials Science and 

Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics 

and Chemistry. (See attached for details). 

JUSTIFICATIONIREASONSIRESOURCES (Briejlv explain the reason for the proposed action. Identgv the 

source of new resources that may be required. Details should be provided in an attachment.) 

There is at present explosive growth in the field of nanometer scale science and technology (NS&T), which has in the past few years 

led to many technological advances in devices and materials structured at the nanometer scale. Anticipating continued growth in this 

area and the need for scientists and engineers who are trained in NS&T we propose to establish an interdisciplinaryprogram of study 

in nanoscience andtechnology at the University of Maryland. We believe that this minor will help to prepare participating 

University of Maryland students for a career in this rapidly developing field. We envision that this program will draw upon the 

considerable existing level of expertise in nanoscience at Maryland, as well as that of the new faculty presently being recruited in a 

number of departments. We further propose that participating departments will use existing courses as electives for the NS&T minor. 

At least initially, based upon an estimated total participation of 30-50 students, we expect there should be no additional resources or 

APPROVAL SlGNATURE 

I. Department Committee Chair 

2. Department Chair 

3. Colleg 

4. Dean 

5. Dean of the Graduate School (if required) 

6. Chair, Senate PCC 3 13 /o& 

7. Chair of Senate 

8. Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost 

V 

A 

3 13/06

Proposal to Create an Interdisciplinary Minor Program of Undergraduate Study in 

Nanoscale Science and Technology 

Prepared by: 

Ray Phaneuf, Materials Science and Engineering 

With contributions from 

Ichiro Takeuchi, Materials Science and Engineering 

Sheryl Ehrman, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering 

Srini Raghavan, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering 

Michael Zachariah, Mechanical Engineering 

John Melngailis, Electrical and Computer Engineering 

Michael Fuhrer, Physics 

Sang Bok Lee, Chemistry & Biochemistry 

Gary Rubloff, M-CINSE, ISR & MSE 

Updated November 17, 2005 

There is at present explosive growth in the field of nanometer scale science and 

technology (NS&T), which has in the past few years led to many technological advances 

in devices and materials structured at the nanometer scale. Anticipating continued 

growth in this area and the need for scientists and engineers who are trained in NS&T we 

propose to establish an interdisciplinary program of study in nanoscience and 

technology at the University of Maryland. We believe that this minor will help to 

prepare participating University of Maryland students for a career in this rapidly 

developing field. We envision that this program will draw upon the considerable existing 

level of expertise in nanoscience at Maryland, as well as that of the new faculty presently 

being recruited in a number of departments. Below we describe the proposed 

organization, existing courses, and model programs for participating students. 

Requirements, Participation and Administration of the Minor 

The Faculty Senate has set forth specific requirements for minor programs. In 

particular, “A minor should have no fewer than 15 and no more than 24 academic credits, 

with at least nine credits at the upper level. A unit may apply for an exception to these 

criteria. Such application may particularly apply in situations where there are "hidden 

prerequisites" and/or in situations in which students have taken the prerequisites to the 

minor as part of another degree program.” In addition “A student may use a maximum of 

six credits (or two courses) to satisfy the requirements of both a major and a minor. A 

unit may place additional limits on the allowed overlap. Courses completed in one minor 

may not be used to satisfy the requirements in another minor.” The relatively large 

number of existing courses, and anticipated courses listed would allow these 

requirements to be met. The latter requirement would mean that the curricula will vary 

somewhat, department by department.

Participation by a Department involves: 

(1) Designating at least one faculty coordinator who will 

(a) work with students from that Department to develop a program and 

schedule of courses at the time they declare participation in the NS&T 

minor, 

(b) meet once a year with those students to provide advising and 

(c) provide assessment data to the NS&T minor committee, 

(2) Designating a faculty member of the NS&T committee, which will make 

decisions in modifying curriculum, and establishing procedures, and 

(3) Offering courses which serve as part of the NS&T minor; agreeing to accept 

nonmajors into those courses and to give careful consideration to relaxation of 

prerequisites to declared NS&T minor students. 

The following departments have agreed to participate in the Interdisciplinary 

NS&T Minor: Materials Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer 

Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry & Biochemistry and Physics. 

The administration of the NS&T will be carried out by Faculty from each of the 

participating departments; a committee of these faculty members will design the 

curricula, in accordance with the Faculty Senate’s requirements which were 

established on February 9, 2004, and are stated below. 

As there needs to be a contact point where students and faculty from outside of 

the participating departments can go for information and advising, we also 

propose that, in coordination with the new Maryland Center for Integrated 

NanoScience and Engineering (MCINSE), the Department of Materials Science 

and Engineering (MSE) will act as the sponsoring and central administering unit. 

This is in part because of the relatively large fraction of MSE faculty involved in 

nanoscale science and technology research, and in part because of the 

multidisciplinary nature of the department. 

Each participating department will supply an individual faculty coordinator for 

that department, with Prof. Ray Phaneuf acting as the overall faculty coordinator 

for the minor. Faculty coordinators will design individual student programs, and 

oversee the progress of students from their department toward satisfying the 

minor. Faculty members who have agreed to serve as departmental NS&T minor 

coordinators are: 




Bao Yang, Mechanical Engineering 

John Melngailis, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Srini Raghavan, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 

In addition the following faculty will serve on the NS&T committee 




Sheryl Ehrman, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 

John Melngailis, Electrical and Computer Engineering 

Michael Zachariah, Mechanical Engineering 

Gary Rubloff, M-CINSE, MSE & ISR 

Srini Raghavan, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 

Advising and Assessment 

Advising of participating students will begin with the development of the 

individual program of courses at the time a student declares participation in the NS&T 

minor, and will continue with a yearly meeting until the requirements for the minor are 

satisfied. Students will be required to obtain the signature of their faculty coordinator to 

document that the advising sessions take place. 

Assessment of the NS&T minor will be based upon the success that participating 

students have in achieving the following learning outcomes: 

1. Student demonstrates an understanding of the background concepts that underlie 

science at the nanometer scale. 

2. Student demonstrates and understanding or ability to carry out techniques for 

fabrication and or synthesis of nanostructures or materials structured at the nanometer 

scale. 

3. Student demonstrates an understanding or ability to carry out techniques for 

characterizing the properties, function and performance of nanostructures. 

4. Student demonstrates an understanding of applications of nanotechnology to 

computing, data storage, sensing, biology or other fields relevant to industry and/or 

society. 

The assessment will be based upon performance on the Midterm and Final examination 

for each course credited toward the minor, Participating students will be required to 

provide copies of these exams to allow assessment of their performance on those areas 

listed above (i.e. 1-4 above) which are relevant to that course; this will be decided by the 

NS&T committee, in consultation with the instructor. The departmental coordinator will 

be asked to assign scores on a scale of 1-4 for each student based upon answers to 

questions during the annual advising section. The grading scale is as follows:

1. Student shows no understanding of/skills toward this major goal for the course. 

2. Student shows little understanding of/skills toward this major goal for the course. 

3. Student shows moderate understanding of/skills toward this major goal for the 

course. 

4. Student demonstrates to have mastered this major goal for the course. 

For each course, the departmental coordinator will provide the individual scores on each 

outcome for participating students to the NS&T administrator, Kathleen Hart. An 

average will be calculated for each student on all outcomes for a given course and an 

overall course average for all students in each course. This process will allow for 

detailed quantitative tracking of the NS&T educational program, and will be used in 

making changes to the overall NS&T curriculum, fine-tuning the outcomes for individual 

courses and addition of new courses. The results for specific courses will also be used in 

providing feedback to instructors of particular courses. 

Resources: Existing Courses and Anticipated Courses 

We propose that participating departments will use existing courses as electives 

for the NS&T minor. At least initially, based upon an estimated total participation of 

30-50 students, we expect there should be no additional resources or costs associated 

with participation. Participating departments have agreed to accept non majors into 

those courses which they designate as part of the NS&T minor; letters from department 

chairs are included with this proposal. To avoid oversubscription of popular courses, 

each departmental representative to the NS&T minor program will work with students 

from that department to develop a program of study, coordinated with the central 

administration for the minor, at the time that a student declares participation. Initially, 

the total number of students might be capped at a level consistent with the available seats 

in existing courses, with each department allotted a number of participants. Alternatively, 

if the program proves extremely popular and participating departments agree, the cap 

might be lifted and additional costs distributed among participating departments. 

A number of courses specifically on nanoscience/nanotechnology have already been 

developed at the undergraduate level at the University of Maryland, and are currently 

being offered. Following is a table of courses distributed among 6 departments which 

we propose to include in the NS&T minor: 

Course Department Instructor Approach 

ENMA489T Materials Science & Ray NanoCharacterization 

Nanocharacterization Engineering 

Phaneuf 

ENMA489M 

Diffraction 

Techniques 

CHEM425 

Instrumental Methods 

Materials Science & 

Engineering 

Chemistry & 

Biochemistry 

Luz Nanocharacterization 

Martinez- 

Miranda 

Neil Blough NanoCharacterization

of Analysis 

BCHM464 

Biochemistry Lab I 

XXXX499 Research 

Experience (if NS&T 

related) 

ENEE 416 Integrated 

Circuit Fabrication 

Lab 

ENMA465 

Microprocessing 

ENCH 471 Particle 

Science And 

Technology 

ENME489F Micro- 

Electro-Mechanical 

Systems 

ENCH496/ENMA496 

Polymer Processing 

and Engineering 

ENEE312 

Semiconductor 

Devices and Analog 

Circuits 

Capstone Design 

(if NS&T related) 

ENCH490/ENMA495 

Polymers, 

Biopolymers and their 

Applications in Nanoand 

Bio- technology 

BCHM461 

Biochemistry I 

ENMA481 

Electronic and 

Optical Materials 

Chemistry & 

Biochemistry 

Soheila 

Ebrahimian 

Participating Department Research 

Advisor 

Electrical and Computer 




Chemical & 

BiomolecularEngineering 

John 

Melngailis 

Gary 

Rubloff 

Sheryl 

Ehrman 

Mechanical Engineering Elisabeth. 

Smela 

Chemical & 

Biomolecular 

Engineering / 





Peter 

Kofinas/ 

Richard 

Calabrese 

Timothy 

Horiuchi 

Nanocharacterization 

Characterization/ 

Fabrication/Synthesis 

NanoApplication / 

Specialization 

NanoFabrication/Synthesis 












Specialization (To be 

credited only if taken as a 

prerequisite to ENEE416 

or ENEE480) 

Major Department varies NanoApplication / 


Chemical & 

Peter NanoApplication/ 

Biomolecular 

Kofinas/ Specialization/ 

Engineering / 

Kyu Yong Fundamental Science 



Choi 

Chemistry & 

Biochemistry 


Engineering/Physics 

Soheila 

Ebrahimian 

Ichiro 

Takeuchi 



Fundamental Science 



Fundamental Science

ENMA460/PHYS431 

Solid State Physics 

ENCH 470: Soft 

Nanotechnologies 

ENCH 468Q 

Mesoscopic and 

Nanoscale 

Thermodynamics 

ENEE 480 

Fundamentals of 

Solid State 

Electronics 

ENEE489Q Quantum 

Effects in Electrical 


PHYS401 Quantum 

Physics I 

PHYS404 Thermal & 

Statistical Physics 

PHYS420 Modern 


Engineering/Physics 

Chemical & 

Biomolecular 


Chemical & 

Biomolecular 






Ichiro 

Takeuchi 

Srini 

Raghavan 

Mikhail 

Anisimov 




Jon Orloff Fundamental Science 

Romel 

Gomez 


Physics Thomas 

Cohen 


Physics Chris Lobb Fundamental Science 

Physics Bei-Lok. Fundamental Science 

Physics 

Hu 

CHEM481 Physical Chemistry & 

Janice Fundamental Science 

Chemistry I 

Biochemistry 

Reutt- 

Robey 

CHEM482 Physical Chemistry & 

Millard Fundamental Science 

Chemistry II 

Biochemistry 

Alexander 

BCHM485 Physical Chemistry & 

Fushman Fundamental Science 

Biochemistry Biochemistry 

Table 1. Existing courses which may be credited toward the NS&T minor. 

We anticipate that additional courses will be added as new NS&T faculty hires 

are made. An example is “The Physics and Chemistry of Nanostructures”, which is being 

developed by Min Ouyang, a new Assistant Professor in Physics, and which is described 

in the Addenda. New lab-based courses are also anticipated based upon the opening of 

new facilities such as. the teaching lab in the Kim Building. As new courses are 

developed the NS&T committee will meet and decide upon adding them to the list. 

Eligibility and Structure of the Proposed NS&T Minor 

Eligibility

This minor is designed to be accessible and available to any student majoring in 

Engineering, Physics or Chemistry & Biochemistry. It is open to all students who have 

the necessary prerequisites to enroll in the courses which constitute the minor. 

Structure of NS&T Minor 

Nanoscience and Technology is a broad field, with a number of different major 

directions; partial list would include fabrication of extremely densely integrated logic or 

storage elements for computing, development of nanomaterials for catalysis or sensing 

applications, soft nanotechnology, and bio/nanotechnology. To allow for different areas 

of interest we have included a number of courses with overlapping subjects but different 

emphasis. To meet the University’s requirement that minors be structured to provide 

students with a coherent field of study and a carefully considered intellectual justification, 

rather than a random choice of courses from current offerings in a major we have 

assembled model programs. These will provide the necessary coherence and intellectual 

merit, while reflecting individual directions in NS&T. We see the interdisciplinary 

nature of these programs as crucial to the intellectual merit of the NS&T minor; by taking 

courses in a number of departments, the student gains a broader view of this field. We 

describe model programs in the last section of this proposal. 

The programs of study will be constructed so as to avoid duplication of material, 

e.g, a student taking Quantum Physics (PHYS401) will not also receive credit toward the 

NS&T minor for Modern Physics (PHYS420) or Quantum Mechanics (ENEE489Q). We 

have also settled upon four overall approaches as describing most of what goes on in 

Nanoscience & Technology: (1) Fabrication and Synthesis of nanostructures, i.e. how 

they are made (2) Characterization of nanostructures, including how the properties and 

function of nanostructures (e.g. transport) are measured or determined (3) Fundamental 

science which serves as a basis for NS&T and (4) Application areas of NS&T.

Figure 1. Coordinate axes representing ranges of approach in NanoScience & 

Technology. 

NS&T can be regarded as spanned by two orthogonal axes, represented 

graphically in Figure 1. Fabrication/Synthesis and Characterization emphasize 

experimental efforts, while Fundamental Science and Specialization Electives emphasize 

the underlying principles and directions, and include underlying theory and the 

motivations for NS&T. We believe that it is essential that a student with a minor in 

NS&T must have a background in the underlying fundamental science, e.g., it is not 

possible to understand why confinement effects occur without having studied quantum 

mechanics. Similarly, in soft nanotechnology a student must have studied statistical 

mechanics to understand the entropic interactions which govern polymer folding and 

packing. In Table 1, we have listed the major approach taken by each of the courses we 

propose to include. Several of the courses span two or more categories, and might be 

counted in either, especially given that more than one instructor teaches the course. An 

important function of the faculty coordinator from each department will be to ascertain 

from the instructor which classification is more suitable, based upon communication with 

the instructor teaching the course that semester. There are not clear divisions between 

Fundamental Science and Specialization areas; similarly courses dealing with fabrication 

will usually also require some characterization. Thus as a way of building structure and 

sufficient breadth into the programs of study we will encourage students to take courses 

from each of the four areas as an ideal, but require that students take at least two courses 

each from the Fundamental Science-Specialization axis, and at least two from the 

Fabrication-Characterization axis depicted in Fig. 1, and listed in Table 2. Definition of 

which courses satisfy which requirements will be established by the NS&T committee.

To further encourage breadth of study, the NS&T minor will allow only two of the five 

total courses to be from a student’s major department. 

1. The minor requirement will consist of a total of five courses (at least 15 credits) from 

those listed below. (see Table 1, below). 

2. At least two of the courses (6 credits) must be from the list of 

Nanofabrication/Nanosynthesis and/or Nanocharacterization electives. 

3. At least two of the courses (6 credits) must be from the list of Fundamental Science 

and/or Nanoscience Electives. At least one of these must be listed as a 

Nanospecialization/application elective. 

4. Up to two courses (6 credits) may be double counted, i.e. used both toward satisfying 

the requirements of the major and the NS&T minor. 

5. Three of the courses (9 credits) must be from outside the individual major. Cross 

listed courses (e.g. ENMA460/PHYS431) which are offered by the major department do 

not qualify as being outside the major. 

6. At least three of the courses (9 credits) must be at the 400 level or above. 

7. No more than two courses (6 credits) from any one department will be credited toward 

the NS&T minor. 

8. A grade of “C” or above is required in all courses to be credited toward the NS&T 

minor. 

9. Students wishing to participate in the NS&T minor must declare participation formally. 

Declaration of participation in the NS&T minor must follow a meeting with the 

individual department representative to the NS&T committee who will help the student to 

develop a program of courses suitable for the minor and a schedule for taking those 

courses. Examples of model programs for each participating department are given below. 

Students from outside participating departments will consult with one of the MSE 

representatives to develop a program of courses and declare participation.. 

10.. Research experience(XXXX499) courses may be included in the NS&T minor in 

addition to those listed above, provided that the research is NS&T-related. The course 

must be within a participating department. Similarly, if the design capstone course (e.g. 

ENMA490) from a department is judged to be in the area of NS&T, it may be counted as 

a Specialization Elective toward the minor. Judgment of whether these courses qualify 

will fall to the departmental Nano-Program Committee member. 

Model Programs

First and foremost, each program of study should have sufficient breadth to allow 

the student flexibility in learning about this multidisciplinary field. Simultaneously, they 

should instill the basic underlying scientific principles necessary for intellectual 

achievement, and for understanding the technological possibilities and limitations of 

NS&T. As nanoscale science and technology is to a large degree experimentally driven, 

lecture courses should be supplemented by courses on fabrication/synthesis and 

characterization. Furthermore, the fast pace of development in this field makes it nearly 

impossible to develop up to date textbooks. We expect that some of the courses will 

supplement a traditional lecture approach, with guest seminars, in which scientists and 

senior students speak about ongoing research in this field. ENMA489T, Nanotechnology 

Characterization, has already successfully adopted this approach. 

As the field develops, and as new faculty are hired we expect additional courses 

will be developed which will further increase the breadth of our offerings, e.g. in 

Nanobiotechnology, and computational Nanoscience and technology. 

We recognize that the interests and needs of students coming from different 

departments will vary. We thus expect that each participating department will propose its 

own standards as to determination of which courses will count toward the NS&T minor 

for students majoring in that department, and which courses will be made available to 

nonmajors NS&T minors. The individual departments will also design model programs 

for minor students from their departments. Examples are shown below. Students from 

nonparticipating departments will be administered through MSE, which will also 

determine standards for those students. Individual departmental standards and models 

will be subject to approval by the NS&T committee, consisting of representatives from 

each participating department. We anticipate that other departments may decide to 

participate in this minor, and will expand the committee and model programs accordingly. 

Below we list specific examples of programs of study, based upon the student 

majors and/or areas of interest. 

Model program 1: for a student with a major in MSE (or ECE), and an interest in 

electronic applications 

Fundamental Science: ENMA481 Electronic and Optical Materials, PHYS401 

Quantum Physics I or PHYS420 Modern Physics 

Applications: ENEE313 Introduction to Device Physics, or XXXX499 Research 

in NS&T area 

Fabrication/Synthesis: ENMA465 Microprocessing or ENEE416 IC Laboratory 

Characterization: ENMA489T Nanocharacterization 

The MSE major emphasizes the interrelation of processing, structure and 

properties, but with a number of possible areas corresponding to the different 

classes of materials. MSE students interested in electronic materials will likely 

take the MSE course on

“Electronic and Optical Materials”, ENMA481 

(prerequisite: ENES 230, already a requirement of the major). 

Such students will generally also take 

“Microprocessing” ENMA465 

(prerequisite: ENES 230, already a requirement of the major, and 

permission of the instructor) 

to learn about fabrication techniques. 

MSE students who are interested in device applications may also decide upon the 

“Integrated Circuit Laboratory” ENEE416 

(prerequisite ENEE 312 “Semiconductor Devices and Analog 

circuits” ) 

and the prerequisite for this: 

“Semiconductor Devices and Analog Circuits” ENEE 312 

(prerequisite ENES 302, “Digital Electronics”, which would not count 

toward the minor) 

MSE students interested in characterizing electronic devices and materials at the 

nm scale will be interested in 

“Nanocharacterization” ENMA489T 

(no formal prerequisites; permission of the instructor) 

to learn how the relation between the structure and properties of structures such as 

quantum dots, wells and wires can be determined. As effects associated with 

confinement of electrons and holes are the main interest in this area of NS&T, it is 

essential that they have some background in elementary Quantum Mechanics, at 

least at the level taught in 

“Modern Physics” PHYS420 

(prerequisites: “Introductory Physics I &II” PHYS270/271 (or 

PHYS273) and “Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers” 

MATH246, all of which an MSE student would normally take). 

Or for more theoretically inclined students: 

“Quantum Physics I” PHYS401

(prerequisites: “Introductory Physics - Waves” PHYS273. corequisites: 

“Intermediate Theoretical Methods” PHYS374 and”Linear Algebra” 

MATH240) 

A much more device oriented approach to this subject matter is taken in either: 

ENEE489Q Quantum Effects in Electrical Engineering 

(prerequisite: permission of instructor) 

Or especially 

“Fundamentals of Solid State Electronics” ENEE 480 

(prerequisites: ENEE 312 and completion of all lower-division technical 

courses in the ECE curriculum) 

Model program 2: for a MSE student with an interest in bio/soft nanotechnology 

Fundamental Science: ENCH470 Soft Nanotechnology and CHEM482 Physical 

Chemistry II 

Applications: ENCH483 Bioseparations, or XXXX499 Research in a NS&T area. 

Fabrication/Synthesis: BCHM461 Biochemistry I or ENCH471 Particle Science 

& Technology 

Characterization: ENMA489M Diffraction Techniques or ENMA489T 

Nanocharacterization 

Many MSE students will choose to study biomaterials or soft materials 

(polymers), where the interest in NS&T concerns the size scale of large molecules 

which are used in medical applications, biosensing and biomimetic materials, 

taking advantage of self-assembly to carry out fabrication on a short time scale. 

These students will likely take 

ENCH470, “Soft Nanotechnology” 

(prerequisites: ENCH 300 Thermodynamics or equivalent; MSE 

students typically take at least one course in thermodynamics, 

ENMA461 which should meet this prerequisite, with permission of the 

instructor and “Physical Chemistry II” CHEM 482; softnano-MSE 

students will likely take this as one of their NS&T electives, see below for 

prerequisites.) 

and 

CHEM482 “Physical Chemistry II”, 

(prerequisites: a grade of C or better in CHEM113, CHEM135, or 

CHEM153; and MATH141 and PHYS142, all of which an upper level 

MSE student will have taken; a C or better in CHEM 481 (PCHEM I), 

which an MSE student usually takes as well).

which covers quantum chemistry and molecular orbital theory, important 

fundamental science background for soft-nanotechnology. Although these 

students might also take the 



they are more likely to be interested in 

“Diffraction Techniques” ENMA489M 

(no formal prerequisites: permission of instructor), 

as x-ray diffraction is used in analyzing particle size and spacing at the nanometer 

scale in polymeric and biomaterials. They are also likely to be interested in 

learning about synthesis and processing of particles in 

“Particle Science and Technology” ENCH471 

(no prerequisites, CHEM 113 or CHEM 135 and fluid mechanics, and 

thermodynamics strongly recommended). 

Students interested in Bio/Nano materials will potentially be interested in either 

ENCH483 “Bioseparations” 

(no formal prerequisites) 

or 

“Biochemistry I” BCHM461 

(prerequisites: {CHEM241 and CHEM242}, or CHEM243 or CHEM247. 

A grade of C or better in the prerequisite is required for Life Science 

majors and recommended for all students.) 

Model Program 3: For Chemistry-major students. 

Fabrication/Synthesis: ENMA465 Microprocessing or ENCH471 Particle 

technology 

Characterization: ENMA489T Nanocharacterization, or CHEM425 instrumental 

analysis 

Fundamental Science: CHEM 481 and CHEM482 or PHYS401 Quantum 

Physics 

Applications: ENCH470 Soft Nanotechnology, or ENCH471 Particle Science & 

Technology, or ENMA481 Electronic. Materials 

Most of Chemistry-major students take

CHEM482 “Physical Chemistry II”, 

(prerequisites: a grade of C or better in “General Chemistry” CHEM113, 

CHEM135, or CHEM153; and “Calculus I” MATH141 and “Principles 

of Physics II” PHYS142, all of which an upper level CHEM student will 

have taken; a C or better in “Physical Chemistry I” CHEM 481, which 

an CHEM students usually takes as well) 


“Instrumental Analysis” CHEM425, 

(prerequisites: either “Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry lab“ CHEM 

227, which requires general chemistry as a pre-requisite) or General 

“Chemistry for CHEM major”Ss CHEM 153, Physical Chemistry I & II 

suggested; all of these are likely to be taken by a CHEM major) 

Those interested in application of chemistry to real world are likely to be also 

interested in NS&T courses. The students interested in electronic device 

fabrication will benefit from fabrication and application courses, such as 

Microprocessing and Electronic Materials. Those interested in material synthesis 

will see how the fundamental chemistry and physics help them understand 

materials chemistry by taking 






(prerequisites: ENCH 300 Thermodynamics or equivalent - CHEM 


CHEM481 Physical Chemistry I which should meet this prerequisite, 

with permission of the instructor; and “Physical Chemistry II” CHEM 

482 which CHEM students usually also take.) 

Those interested in more fundamental sciences are likely to take 

“Quantum Physics I” PHYS401 



MATH240) 

and



courses together with application courses such as 


(prerequisite ENES 230, or permission of the instructor). 

and possibly the fabrication/synthesis course: 


(prerequisite ENES 230, already a requirement of the major, and 


Model Program 4: For Biochemistry-majors. 

Fabrication/Synthesis: ENCH470 Soft Nanotechnology 

Characterization: CHEM425 instrumental analysis or ENMA489T 

Nanocharacterization. 

Fundamental Science: CHEM 481 or CHEM482, or BCHM485 Physical 

Biochemical Applications: Bchem461 or ENCH470 Soft nanotech or research 

experience Chem399 

Biochemistry-major students will find their interests in bio-related courses from 

NS&T. They will learn many bio-mimic and artificial biomaterials and their 

interactions with biological system from 


(prerequisites: ENCH 300 Thermodynamics or equivalent - CHEM 


CHEM481 Physical Chemistry I which should meet this prerequisite, 

with permission of the instructor; and “Physical Chemistry II” CHEM 

482 which CHEM students usually also take.) 

These students will learn how courses will help them understand the synthesis and 

characterization of biomaterials, and analysis of chemical and biological 

properties by taking either 



or 

“Diffraction Techniques” ENMA489M 

(no formal prerequisites: permission of instructor),


“Instrumental Analysis” CHEM425, 

(prerequisites: either “Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry lab“ CHEM 

227, which requires general chemistry as a pre-requisite) or General 

“Chemistry for CHEM majors” CHEM 153, Physical Chemistry I & II 

suggested; all of these are likely to be taken by a CHEM major) 

Model Program 5: For Physics-major students 

Fabrication/Synthesis: ENEE416 IC Fabrication or ENCH471 Particle 

technology 

Characterization: ENMA489T Nanocharacterization, or CHEM425 instrumental 

analysis or XXXX499 Undergraduate Research 

Fundamental Science: PHYS 401 Quantum Physics I, PHYS431 “Solid State 

Physics”, ENCH 468Q Mesoscopic and Nanoscale Thermodynamics or 

CHEM482 Physical Chemistry II 

Applications: PHYS431 Solid State Physics, or ENMA481 Electronic. Materials 

Physics-majors take courses which provide a broad understanding of fundamental 

science, such as 




MATH240). 

, but often take few chemistry and applications-related courses. The nanominor 

will expose these students to techniques for fabrication and synthesis of 

nanostructures, as well as applications of nanotechnology. Those interested in 

applications in micro/nanoelectronics will benefit from fabrication and application 

courses, such as 


(prerequisite ENES 230, already a requirement of the major, and 




(prerequisite ENES 230 or equivalent; PHYS431 should satisfy this, 

with permission of the instructor).

Those interested in material synthesis will see how the fundamental chemistry and 

physics help them understand materials chemistry by taking 




“Solid State Physics” PHYS431/ENMA460 

(Physics majors will generally satisfy prerequisites for this course) 


“Physical Chemistry II” CHEM482, 

(prerequisites: a grade of C or better in CHEM113, CHEM135, or 

CHEM153 – this would be an added requirement which would not be 

credited directly toward the minor; and MATH141 and PHYS142 which 

a Physics student will have taken,; a C or better in CHEM 481 (PCHEM 

I), which might be waived if the student has taken thermodynamics). 

Those with an interest in thermodynamics at the mesoscale will likely take: 

“Mesoscopic and Nanoscale Thermodynamics“ ENCH 468Q 

(prerequisites: a course on thermodynamics, which Physics students will 

have taken) 

The ”Undergraduate Research” course XXXX499 in departments within or 

outside of physics is likely to be of interest to physics students interested in 

graduate work in NS&T, and will serve to round out a curriculum which stresses 

mainly fundamental science. 

There are variations possible on the above; Physics students interested in 

electronic devices might take: 

PHYS 401 Quantum Physics I 

PHYS431 Solid State Physics 

ENMA489T Nanocharacterization 

ENEE416 IC Fabrication 

ENMA481 Electronic Materials 

Students interested in nanoparticles might take: 


PHYS431 Solid State Physics 

ENCH471 Particle Science and Technology 

ENMA489T Nanocharacterization or CHEM425 Instrumental 

analysis 

CHEM481 Physical Chemistry or ENCH 468Q Mesoscopic and 

Nanoscale Thermodynamics

(students would need CHEM 153 as prerequisite, or instructor permission) 

Students interested in chemistry of nanomaterials might take: 


ENCH471 Particle Science and Technology 

ENMA489T Nanocharacterization or CHEM425 Instrumental 

analysis 

CHEM481 Physical Chemistry 

ENCH 468Q Mesoscopic and Nanoscale Thermodynamics 

(students would need CHEM 153 as prerequisite, or instructor permission) 

Model Program 6: For Electrical and Computer Engineering-major students, 

Fabrication/Synthesis: ENEE416 IC Fabrication, ENMA 465 Microprocessing 

or 

Characterization: ENMA489T Nanocharacterization or XXXX499 

Undergraduate Research 

Fundamental Science: ENEE489Q Quantum Phenomena in Electrical 

Engineering or ENMA460 Solid State Physics 

Applications: ENMA481 Electronic and Optical. Materials or ENME 489F 

“Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems” 

ECE-major students within the subdisciplines of electrophysics and 

microelectronics and computer engineering in particular are likely to be interested 

in the nanominor. Courses within the minor in design and fabrication such as: 

“Integrated Circuit Laboratory” ENEE416 

(prerequisite: ENEE 312 “Semiconductor Devices and Analog 

circuits”; ECE students typically take this and its prerequisite ENES 

302, “Digital Electronics” ) 

or 


(prerequisite ENES 230, which many ECE students take, or permission 

of the instructor) 

would be complemented by the characterization course 



and by the fundamental courses 

“Quantum Phenomena in Electrical Engineering” ENEE489Q


(prerequisites: ENEE 302 and ENEE 380 and completion of all lowerdivision 

technical courses in the EE curriculum, which ECE students 

typically satisfy ) 

“Solid State Physics” ENMA460 

(no formal prerequisites: permission of the instructor) 

which covers the basics of solids state physics or 

“Fundamentals of Solid State Electronics” ENEE 480 

(prerequisites: ENEE 312 and completion of all lower-division technical 

courses in the ECE curriculum) 

or 


(prerequisite ENES 230, already a requirement of the major). 

which covers the properties of the materials from which the next generation of 

computers and sensors will be fabricated. Students interested in applications to 

MEMS/NEMS technology will take: 

“Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems” ENME 489F: 

(no formal prerequisites: permission of instructor) 

Model Program 7: For Mechanical Engineering-major students 

Fabrication/Synthesis: ENMA 465 Microprocessing 

Characterization: ENMA489T Nanocharacterization or XXXX499 

Undergraduate Research 

Fundamental Science: ENMA460 Solid State Physics, PHYS401 or PHYS 420 

Modern Physics 

Applications: ENME489F Micro-Electrical Mechanical Systems or ENMA481 

“Electronic and Optical Materials” 

Courses from outside of ENME within the NS&T minor will provide Mechanical 

Engineering-major students with a better fundamental background in the 

underlying science which governs mechanical properties at the nanometer scale, 

for example, 

“Solid State Physics” ENMA460 

(no formal prerequisites: permission of the instructor) 

The fabrication and characterization courses


(prerequisite ENES 230, or permission of the instructor) 




will expose ME students the techniques which are used in the production and 

testing of nanomaterials. The applications course, 


(prerequisite ENES 230, or permission of the instructor). 

and particularly 

“Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems and Microfabrication” ENME 489F: 

(no formal prerequisites: permission of instructor) 

cover potential areas of specialization for Mechanical Engineers. ME students 

will also need to understand confinement issues in NS&T, which involves a 

knowledge of quantum mechanics, either from 

“Modern Physics” PHYS420 

(prerequisites: “Introductory Physics I &II” PHYS270/271 (or 

PHYS273) and “Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers” 

MATH246, all of which an ME student would normally take). 

or for the more theoretically inclined ME major 




MATH240 

We also expect students from outside the five participating departments, in 

particular Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and have assembled two 

model programs based upon two areas of great technological interest, 

Nanomaterials Processing and Nanobiotechnology: 

Model Program 8: For a ENCH/CHEM student interested in Nanomaterials 

processing, making the building blocks of nanotechnology

CHEM482 Physical Chemistry II CHEM Underlying Science 

CHEM483 Physical Chemistry Lab CHEM Characterization 

ENCH470 Soft Nanotechnology Underlying 

Science/Application/Specialization 

ENCH471 Particle Science & Technology CHE Fabrication/Specialization 

ENMA489T NanoCharacterization MSE Characterization 

In the case of nanomaterials processing, students will need a strong 

understanding of the behavior of materials at the nanoscale, and so an underlying 

science course, incorporating quantum chemistry, i.e.: 

“Physical Chemistry II“CHEM 482 

(prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHEM113, CHEM135, or 

CHEM153; and MATH141 and PHYS142, C or better in CHEM 481 

“Physical Chemistry I” 

[CHEM students will have taken all of these as part of the major 

requirement; ENCH students who have taken ENCH300 

“Thermodynamics” are exempted from the CHEM 481 class since 

there is considerable overlap. Other students who have taken an 

equivalent thermo course might be able to also take CHEM482 

with the instructor's permission]), 

combined with two characterization courses: 

“Physical Chemistry Lab” CHEM483 

(Corequisite: CHEM481, see above for possible exemptions based upon 

a course in thermodynamics.) 

and “Nanocharacterization” ENMA489T 


will provide this background. The electives 

ENCH 470 “Soft Nanotechnology” 

(prerequisites: ENCH 300 Thermodynamics or equivalent and “Physical 

Chemistry II” CHEM 482; see above). 


ENCH 471 Particle Technology 

(no formal prerequisites; CHEM 113 or CHEM 135 and fluid 

mechanics (or momentum transport), mass + energy transport and 

thermodynamics strongly recommended) 

will give the students background in how nanomaterials are produced. 

Model Program 9: For a ENCH/CHEM student interested in Nano/biotechnology

CHEM482 Physical Chemistry II CHEM Underlying Science 

ENCH470 Soft Nanotechnology Underlying Science/Application 

ENMA489T NanoCharacterization MSE Characterization 

BCHM461 Biochemistry I CHEM Specialization 

BCHM464 Biochem Lab CHEM Characterization 

Students interested in the area of nanobiotechnology will need an underlying 

science course to give a background in the behavior of materials at the nanoscale 

“Physical Chemistry II“CHEM 482 

(prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CHEM113, CHEM135, or 

CHEM153; and MATH141 and PHYS142, C or better in CHEM 481 

“Physical Chemistry I” 

[CHEM students will have taken all of these as part of the major 

requirement; ENCH students who have taken ENCH300 

“Thermodynamics” are exempted from the CHEM 481 class since 

there is considerable overlap. Other students who have taken an 

equivalent thermo course might be able to also take CHEM482 

with the instructor's permission]), 

as well as a characterization course at the nanoscale 



Many nanobiotechnology products such as nanoparticles for enhanced magnetic 

resonance imaging are colloids, and thus 

ENCH 470 “Soft Nanotechnology” 

(prerequisites: ENCH 300 Thermodynamics or equivalent and “Physical 

Chemistry II” CHEM 482; see above). 

would provide information about how these materials are made and how they 

behave. Finally, coursework in biochemistry 

“Biochemistry I” BCHM461 

(no formal prerequisites) 


“Biochemistry Lab” BCHM464 

(Prerequisites: “Biochemistry I” BCHM461 or “Biochemistry of 

Physiology” BCHM463)

will give students training in the molecular knowledge necessary to interfacing 

nanomaterials with biological systems.

Addendum: Additional Benefits to a NS&T Minor and Faculty Resources 

Additional Benefits of an Interdisciplinary NS&T Undergraduate Minor Program 

As described above the driving force for establishing an interdisciplinary NS&T minor is 

to prepare participating University of Maryland students for a career Nanoscience and 

Engineering. There are additional benefits to an interdisciplinary NS&T minor would 

include: (1) such a program would place the UM in a more competitive posture for major 

grant programs, many of which have a significant educational component. (2) 

Instructional programs in NS&T will give the UM enhanced visibility in an extremely 

important field. (3) The programs would promote synergy between faculty and students 

with similar research interests. (4) A visible NS&T instructional program, with a well 

designed and up to date webpage would greatly increase the University of Maryland’s 

ability to attract both high quality students and high profile faculty. 

Resources: Existing Expertise among Faculty 

Existing expertise in nanoscience and technology (NST) is spread out among five 

departments within three schools at the University of Maryland. These include the 

departments of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), Mechanical Engineering (ME) 

and Electrical and Computer Engineering within the Clark School of Engineering, the 

Department of Physics within the School of Computer, Mathematical and Physical 

Sciences, and the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry within the School of Life 

Sciences. A partial listing of faculty conducting NS&T research is given in table I. The 

list of research includes approaches toward fabrication, characterization and modeling the 

properties of nanoscale structures, and is indicative of the range of courses which might 

be offered. The breadth of NS&T research at the University will continue to increase in 

the near future, as a number of departments are presently involved in searches for new 

faculty within this field. 

Faculty Member Department Research Areas 

Mikhail Anisimov Chemical & Biomolecular Fluctuations and Critical 


Behavior at the Nanoscale 

Rob Briber Materials Science & Diblock Copolymer 


nanophase separation 

Pamela Abshire Electrical and Computer 


Nano-Bio 

John Cumings Materials Science & Carbon Nanotubes, STM, 


TEM 

Abhijit DasGupta Mechanical Engineering Nanomechanics 

High Bruck Mechanical Engineering Functionally Graded 

Materials 

Sheryl Ehrman Chemical & Biomolecular Nanoparticle Synthesis and 


Processing 

Michael Fuhrer Physics Carbon Nanotubes, EFM,

Romel Gomez Electrical & Computer 

SGM 

Magnetic Nanostructures, 


MFM 

Peter Kofinas Chemical & Biomolecular Diblock Copolymer 


nanophase separation 

Sang Bok Lee Chemistry & Biochemistry Nanowires, Nanoporous 

Films, Electrodeposition 

John Melngailis Electrical & Computer Nanofabrication via 


Focussed Ion Beam 

Gottlieb Oehrlein Materials Science & Plasma Processing of 


Nanostructures 

Min Ouyang Physics Spin Physics and Chemistry 

at the Nanometer Scale 

Ray Phaneuf Materials Science & Directed Self Assembly, 


Nanofabrication, Nanoscale 

spectroscopy, SPM 

Srini Raghavan Chemical & Biomolecular Self Assembly of Soft 


Materials 

Janice Reutt Robey Chemistry & Biochemistry Nanoscale Stability 

Lourdes Riba-Salamanca Materials Science & Self-Assembled Quantum 


Dots, Nanowires, TEM 

Gary Rubloff Materials Science & 


Nano-Bio, Microfluidics 

Larry Sita Chemistry & Biochemistry Molecular Electronics, SPM 

Ichiro Takeuchi Materials Science & Combinatorial 


Nanomaterials 

Elizabeth Smela Mechanical Engineering MEMS, Nano/Bio 

Ellen D. Williams Physics Nanoscale Fluctuations, 

Molecular electronics, SPM 

Chia Hung Yang Electrical & Computer Nanofabrication, World’s 


smallest transistor 

Bao Yang Mechanical Engineering Nanoscale heat transfer 

Michael Zachariah Mechanical Engineering Aerosol Nanoparticle 

Fabrication

Course Proposal: Physics and Chemistry of Nanostructures 

Min Ouyang 

Department of Physics 

A new senior undergraduate course, Physics and Chemistry of Nanostructures, will be developed 

and designed to introduce highly motivated undergraduate students to independent research in 

nanophysical and nanomaterial sciences early in their college careers, and serve as a platform to 

transform their knowledge learnt from traditional courses to an independent research experience. 

In September 2005 the recently established Maryland Center for Integrated Nano Science and 

Engineering (M-CINSE) will initiate a formal Interdisciplinary Minor Program in Nanoscale 

Science and Technology at the undergraduate level, which draws faculty and courses from 

multiple departments of the School of Engineering, the College of Computer, Math and Physical 

Science and the College of Life Science. This proposed course will nicely balance current lecturebased 

course offerings for this special program. 

Several factors make me qualified to initiate this multi-disciplinary course. First, I have both 

educational and research background in physics, chemistry and electronics. Second, I will bring 

experience to this venture. I was invited to give guest lectures and experiments in several 

undergraduate courses with topics covering from new experimental techniques (scanning probe 

microscopy) to fundamental physics and chemistry of novel nanomaterials (such as carbon 

nanotubes). These guest lectures as well as experiments have largely motivated students’ interest 

in related research field and exposed students to the frontier of science before they enter the 

graduate program. 

Course design and implementation: I would like to further discuss this envisioned course 

because it will provide an opportunity to demonstrate how I will organize and how I can 

successfully integrate research and education. This new course will be a ~50:50 lecture- and labbased 

courses. Currently there is no such course on campus in this nano-area. The syllabus of this 

course will be designed based on integration of three levels: comprehending, stimulating and 

developing. This course will begin by introducing the special aspects of nanostructures in physics 

and chemistry, such as dimensionality effects and surface/volume ratio. From there, a variety of 

topics will be covered related to 2D- (quantum wells & thin films), 1D- (quantum wires) and 0D- 

(quantum dots and molecule) dimensional systems. I will focus on introducing nanomaterial 

preparations and characterizations, physical properties (mechanical, electrical, magnetic and 

optical properties) and potential applications. Each topic will consist of lectures and labs (6-7 

experiments for one semester). The contents will be mainly selected from current research front, 

such as synthesis and optical properties of quantum dots, aiming at stimulating student’s research 

interest (I have supervised a REU student sponsored by the Maryland MRSEC working on CdSe 

quantum dot synthesis and characterizations. My experience is that by simplifying experimental 

procedures such projects are completely acceptable for undergraduate students). I will approach 

these subjects from basic principles, and help students grasp the concepts of the physical 

phenomena based on the essential knowledge they have learnt from previous traditional courses. 

In my experience this will significantly stimulate students’ interests and develop their problem 

solving capability in a rational way. For example, in one of my previous guest lectures I 

presented the basic tight binding theory that students have learnt from a traditional introductory 

course in solid state physics to calculate and understand the electronic band structures of carbon 

nanotubes and I got very enthusiastic feedback from students after class - students felt very 

excited because they have learnt this fundamental theory before but they have never realized what

have learnt can be applied to understand the current “hot” materials such as carbon nanotubes. 

Through the lab sections and follow-up discussion in lectures I will help students gain an 

appreciation of the interplay between theory and experiment. In the end of this course, students 

will be required to give a short presentation on one of the topics covered in the course. The talk 

will be in the style of a regular APS conference format with PowerPoint presentation since that is 

becoming the standard at scientific meetings. This will also help student develop their skills for 

presenting their research results in the future. 

Course evaluation: Some of the specific learning outcomes for the proposed Physics and 

Chemistry of Nanostructures course include the ability to: 

1. understand the physical basis of nanostructures 

2. elucidate the mechanism of nanoscale synthesis 

3. explain the principle of material characterization techniques. 

4. write a good lab notebook and report 

5. select appropriate techniques for different material characterizations 

6. envision the potential applications of nanostructures 

The outcome of this course will be evaluated at several levels. (1) examinations, project report 

and presentation; (2) evaluation using a questionnaire after the course on the basis of which 

adjustments to the course can be made in the following year; and (3) track of the diversity of 

registered students to gauge the effectiveness of the early-curriculum modules. 

Disseminations 

This new course aims at introducing bright, potential scientists to research in the nanophysics and 

nanomaterial science long before they make solid career decisions. The evaluation from students 

will allow me to modify the educational experience to maximize learning outcomes for a broad 

spectrum of students. A pilot version of this course will limit the registered student number to 

~10. Based on assessments from students this course could quickly expand beyond this original 

student limit. Modules for introducing advanced nanoscience in a second semester course will be 

prepared as the first course matures. The new modules will be designed to introduce qualified 

students to faculty and research groups who are engaged in nanoscience- and nanotechnology- 

driven research efforts and will offer the opportunity to become part of a close-knit community of 

faculty and motivated undergraduates.

UNIVERSITY OF 

r MARYLAND 

GLENN L. h1.4RTIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 

A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERLNG 

Ileparrtnenr of ,ifarerials Science R Engineering 

Robert M. Briber, Chair 

May 10,2005 

To: Nariman Farvardin 


cc: Steve Halperin 

Dean, College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences 

Norma Allewel 

Dean, College of Life Sciences 

From: R.M. Briber 

& Engineering Department 

Burlding 090 

College Park. Maryland 20742-2 I I5 

301.405.7313 TEL 301.3 14 2029 FAX 

rbriber@eng, urnd.edu 

\m~w.mse.umd.edu 

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering enthusiastically supports the initiative to 

establish an interdisciplinary minor program in Nanoscience and Technology at .the University of 

Maryland, and agrees to participate in this program. We propose that the central administration 

for this program will reside in the Materials Science and Engineering Department, due to the 

multidisciplinary nature of this department. We agree to allow students from other participating 

departments to enroll in those of our courses which our department designates as part of this 

minor, and to give thoughtful consideration to relaxation of prerequisites for declared Nano 

minor students as deemed appropriate by the individual instructors. 

We anticipate this will be a minor that the students will find exciting and popular across many 

Departments from the Colleges of Engineering, CMPS and Life Sciences. There is significant 

pent-up demand for this educational opportunity throughout the campus and we are looking 

forward to helping to meet this demand.

UNIVERSITY OF 

mvrm 

GLENN L. hL4RTIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 

4. JAhlES CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING 

Department of Ele~~ri~d dd Conpziter Engineering 

Office of the Chair 

August 33,3005 

To: Nariman Farvardin, Dcan, A. James Clark School of Enginecriilg 

i\ Ll'llllams Bulld~ng 

College I'ark, iliaqland 20742 

301 405 3683 

w w C C C . U ~ edu ~ 

CC: Steve Halperin, Dean, (:ollcge of Computer, Mathematical and l'hysical Scicnces 

Norma Allewell, lleail, Collcge of Life Scicnces 

From: Patrick G. 0 '~he~' $& 

l'rofessor and Ch I< +a 11 o ; ectrical and Computer Engineering 

Re: Iilterdisciplinary Minor in Nanoscienco and 'I'echnology 

I am pleased to offer my support for thc initiative to establish an lnterdiscipliilary Minor ill 

Nanoscience and Technology at the University of Maryland. I agree to allow uildergraduates from 

other participating departments to enroll ill those courses which the Ilepartment of I

GLENN L. MARTlN NSTITUTE OF rECHNOLOGY 

A JAMES CLARK SCHOOI, OF ENGINEERING 

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 

May 19,2005 

To: Nariman Farvardin 


cc: Steve Halperin 

Dean, College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences 

Norma Allewel 

Dean, College of Life Sciences 

From: Avram Bar-Cohen 

Professor and Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering 

2 18 1 Glenn L. Martin Hall 

College Park, MD 20742-3035 

TEL: 30 1 -405-24 10 

FAX: 30 1-3 14-9477 

hrtp://wcriw.enme.umd.edu 

Avram Bar-Cohen, Ph.D. 

Professor and Chair 

TEL: 30 1-405-3 173 

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is happy to support the initiative to establish an 

interdisciplinary minor program in Nanoscience and Technology at the University of Maryland. 

We agree to participate in this program and understand that the central administration for this 

program will reside in the Materials Science and Engineering Department. 

We will facilitate ME students enrolling in those courses, which are designated as part of this 

minor, and understand that an effort will be made to relax some of the prerequisites for 

declared Nano minor students, as deemed appropriate by the individual instructors. 

We anticipate that this minor will prove exciting and popular, and most beneficial to students 

across many Departments from the Colleges of Engineering, CMPS and Life Sciences. 

Sincerely, 

Avram Bar-Cohen, Ph,D, 

Professor and Chair

To Whom Ir May (loncern: 

@ 

UNIVERSITY OF 

The I)epartmmt of Phys~cs supports the muanre to cst;lbhsh a tllsrnbuted mlnor program m Nanosclence and 

Technolog (bianoSR1') at the Cruversl? of hlaryland, and agrees to parnapare in thls program. Phys~cs 

agrees chat the central aiiwstratlon for this progam vidl reside m the Xlatrnals Sc~tmce and Ilng~ncrnng 

I3eydrtment, due to thc mulntllsc~plinary nature of that depnrtment a ~ thls d prC>grAnl. W'c agrec, ho\vevcr, that 

a represenratwe from Phys~cs to the NanoSRr'I' comfnitrec ulll act to advise students irom our departmenr who 

nnsh to participate, thus allo~s~ng for no addlnonal expense for pamcipdtr(>n 111 the NanoS&T for any 

department, mduchg LEE. K'e agree to allow students from other parnc~paung departments to enroll m thosc 

of our courses which our dcprrtmen~ des~gnates :is part of th~s rmnor, dnd ro give thoughtful cor~s~derancrn to 

relaxanon of pxcrequlsttes for derldrcd hnnoSK1' mulor studcr~ts as dermcd npprupnatc II! the indi\xlual 

instructors. 


I 

- J 

DougIas Roberts 

sissoc~atc Chair, rndergracluate I:duc~non 

Uep~rtment of Physics 

Ctuversity of hfar)tl*and, College I'nrk

UNIVEKSITY OF 

m p v r m 

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 

Ray Phaneuf, Associate Professor 

Department of Materials Science and Engineering 

University of Maryland 

College Park, MD 20742 

Dear Dr. Phaneuf: 

Collegs Park. Maryland 20742 

Michael P. Doyle 

Chair and Professor 

(301) 405-1788 tel. 

(301) 3 14-2779 fax 

May 16,2005 

RE: Proposal to Create a Distributed Minor Program of Undergraduate Study in 

Nanoscale Science and Technology 

The Department of Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry supports the initiative to establish a 

distributed minor program in Nanoscience and Technology (NanoS&T) at the University of Maryland, 

and agrees to participate in this program. The Department of Department of Chemistry agrees that the 

central administration for this program will reside in the Materials Science and Engineering 

Department, due to the multidisciplinary nature of that department and this program, as well as the 

disproportionately small student/faculty ratio in MSE. We agree, however, that a representative from 

the Department of Department of Chemistry to the NanoS&T committee will act to advise students 

from our department who wish to participate, thus allowing for no additional expense for participation 

in the NanoS&T for any department, including MSE. We agree to allow students from other 

participating departments to enroll in those of our courses which our department designates as part of 

this minor, and to give thoughtful consideration to relaxation of prerequisites for declared NanoS&T 

minor students as deemed appropriate by the individual instructors. 

Yours truly, 

Cc: Dr. Sang Bok Lee, Dr. Herman Ammon. Dr. Michael Montague-Smith 

Michael P. Doyle 

//7

Phaneuf, Ray 

From: 

Sent: 

To: 

Cc: 

Subject: 

Dear Ray, 

Steve Halperin [shalper@deans.umd.edu] 

Thursday, September 29, 2005 7:19 PlVl 

Phaneuf, Ray 

Victor Korenman; pperes@umd.edu; rubloff@isr.umd.edu; takeuchi@eng.umd.edu; 

melng@Glue.umd.edu; mfuhrer@physics.umd.edu; mrz@eng.umd.edu; rbriber@umd.edu; 

Sang Bok Lee; sehrman@eng.umd.edu; srag hava@eng.umd.edu; Patrick O'Shea; Steve 

Halperin; Dbryant; Jordan Goodman 

Re: Correction: Nanoscience and Technology Minor 

I am more than happy to support this proposal. It is a superb 

example of our ability as a university to identify crucial areas at the 

frontiers of many disciplines, to bring together faculty from many 

departments to establish a coherent research program, and to then build 

an education program in the emerging field to which these faculty 

collectively and jointly contribute. I am proud that colleagues in the 

college are part of this effort. Please use this email as the letter of 

support you request. 

Phaneuf, Ray wrote: 

>Dear Dean Halperin, 

> As you may already know, a group of faculty members representing 

>six different departments in three different schools have developed a 

>proposal to establish an ~nterdisciplinary Minor in Nano Science and 

>Technology at the undergraduate level at the University of Maryland. 

>Our proposal is that this minor be centered in Materials Science and 

>Engineering, given MSE's approach which puts it at the intersection of 

>Physics, Chemistry and Engineering. 

steve 

> We at this point have letters of support for this proposal from 

>each of the participating departments. We have also consulted with 

>former ~ssociate Provost Victor Korenman, and ~ssociate Provost Phyllis 

>Peres about this proposal, and about how it should be routed. Phyllis 

>advises me that routing through ~ngineering's PCC should be sufficient, 

>given support from the Deans of the other Colleges, including CMPS, 

>concerned. I therefore attach to this message a draft of our proposal 

>for your comment, and hopefully your support. 

> 

> If you are in support of this proposal, I'd like to request a 

>letter from you, which would be most helpful in routing it through the 

>Campus level PCC. 

> 

> I thank you in advance for your help and consideration 

> 

Best regards, 

-Ray Phaneuf 

> 

> Ray Phaneuf 

> Associate Professor 

> Undergraduate Program Director 

> Department of Materials Science and Engineering 

> University of Maryland 

> College Park, MD 20742 

> phaneuf@eng.umd.edu

> Chair, Local Organizing Committee, Third International Workshop on 

>Nanoscale Spectroscopy and Nanotechnology 

> http://www.mse.umd.edu/NSS3/Welcome/ 

> 

> 

r > 

Steve Halperin 

Dean 

Computer, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences 

University of Maryland

-"l, 

MdtyIand Center for htegrated Mano Science andEngInwring 

To whom it may concern 

Re: M-CINSE support for proposed Nano Minor 

Professor Gary W. Rubloff 

2145 A V Williams Building 

Univers~ty of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-3285 

Tel (301 1 405-2949 Fax (301 1 31 4-9920 

E-mall rubloff@umd edu 

Internet www Isr umd.edu/qwrubloff/ 

Internet www nanocenter.umd edu 

October 18, 2005 

I am pleased to express my strongest level of support and tremendous enthusiasm for the Proposal to 

Create an Interdisciplinary Minor Program of Undergraduate Study in Nanoscale Science and Technology, 

developed by a cross-discplinary team and led by Prof. Ray Phaneuf. This program is among the most 

important I can envision for the campus in the coming years. 

Leadership in nano science and technology have become hallmarks of a leading university, and it has been 

gratifying that in just a year a community spanning three colleges have come together to form our nano 

center, M-CINSE. The enthusiasm and support of all three collees, and their Deans and the Provost, are 

equally encouraging and compelling. We have identified clear trends and excitement about evolving 

existirlg courses to emphasize nano, and to create new courses and other educational features which 

support nano education as well. The existence of major new facilities and characterization instruments for 

nano, in the Kim building and elsewhere, add much to the possibilities we foresee for our students. And 

our attention to the education side of nano, both in the spectrum of existing courses and in our plans for a 

formal program, have done much to win us praise in the nano community. 

The proposed Nano Minor is a terrific start in formal educational programs. Our group has agreed that the 

Department of Materials Science and Engineering will serve best as the academic center to administer the 

program, with help from faculty representatives in different departments. M-CINSE will provide 

infrastructure support to the program and its students, such as an informational website and other 

database features useful to the program. 

Let me also express my enthusiasm for the intellectual and professional development aspects of the 

program. We have identified a four-axis representation of the nano topics and skills areas crucial for 

student success, correlated these with the various courses in the program, and given example programs 

for students in various departments. I think this is an excellent start. We anticipate evolution of the 

program in response to feedback that will be sought from the students and their potential and actual 

employers, as the program moves along. 

Finally, it is important to reallze that the essence of nano makes it incompatible with traditional academic 

structures and domains. Our students and our research groups who work in the area of nano cannot 

flourish - or perhaps even survive - within a traditional discipline. Yet I believe no one should be ready to 

think of it as a new, separate discipline (e.g., a department), partly because its newness makes it 

impossible to predict what it will look like in 5 years, and partly because no matter how it looks then it will 

for sure be a dynamic amalgam of pieces from many disciplines. The university's Minor program is an 

excellent vehicle to making the most of nano and for our students. In return, I believe the Nano Program 

will become a strong example for the campus of the benefits which the Minor can provide. 

Sincerely,

Gary W. Rubloff 

Director, Maryland Center for Integrated Nano Science and Engineering 

Minta Martin Professor of Engineering 

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, lnstitute for Systems Research, and Institute for Research in 

Electronics and Applied Physics 

Affiliate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering 

University of Maryland at College Park

- COLLEGE 

UNIVERSITY OF 

OF CHEMICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES 

Office of the Dcan 

Dr. Ray Phaneuf 

Associate Professor and Director of the Undergraduate Program 

Depsrtmer,t of Materials Science and Enginsering 

Dear Colleagues, 

October 1 1.2005 

Symonr HAIL 

College Park. Maryland 20742 

301.105 2071 TEL 301.314.9')4') FAX 

xvwu chemlife.umd rdu 

The College of Chemical and Life Sciences enthusiastically supports the initiative to establish an 

interdisciplinary minor program in Nanoscience and Technology at the University of Maryland, and agrees 

to participate in this program. We agree that the central administration for this program will reside in the 

Materials Science and Engineering Department, due to the multidisciplinary nature of this department. The 

College of Chemical and Life Sciences participation will be centered in the Department of Chemistry and 

Biochemistry. 

We anticipate .this will be a minor that the students will find exciting and popular across many departments 

from the CLFS, CMPS and EIIGR. We are pleased to participate in this multidisciplinary training effort. 


Norma M. Allewell 

Professor and Dean

05050 ENGR ENMA Add Minor in Nanoscience and Technology

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