05050 ENGR ENMA Add Minor in Nanoscience and Technology

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.