Nanotechnology engineering is a multi-disciplinary engineering field which simultaneously draws from and benefits areas such as materials science and engineering, chemistry, physics, and biology. Indeed, it is all about generating new solutions based on atomic- and molecular-scale manipulations.
Nanotechnology commonly refers to the fabrication, study, and manipulation of structures having sizes in the range from one to one hundred nanometers (a nanometer is a billionth of a meter). This length scale bridges the important gap between atoms and molecules (which are less than one nanometer in size) and bulk materials; requiring fundamental chemistry and quantum physics. To develop this new cluster of technologies, there is an acute need for highly trained personnel with good understanding of the natural laws that govern the workings of not only atoms and molecules but also natural or manufactured nanoscopic and mesoscopic structures and systems (e.g., clusters, fullerenes, nanotubes, macromolecules, nanorobots, and nanosystems).
The field is loosely divided into four subareas: micro and nanoinstruments, nanoelectronics, nano-biosystems, and nanoengineered materials. The first addresses some of the most far-reaching yet practical applications of miniature instruments for measuring atoms or molecules in chemical, clinical, or biochemical analysis; in biotechnology for agent detection; and environmental analysis. The second category, nanoelectronics, concerns the development of systems and materials required for the electronics industry to go beyond current technological limits – producing even finer detail than features in a high-performance microprocessor chip. Also in this category is a new generation of electronics based on plastics, which is expected to create new markets with applications ranging from smart cards to tube-like computers. The third class, nano-biosystems, can be described as molecular manipulation of biomaterials and the associated miniaturization of analytical devices such as DNA, peptide, protein, and cell chips. The last subarea, nanoengineered materials, looks at several classes of advanced materials including nanocrystalline materials and nanopowders used in electronics and photonics applications, as catalysts in automobiles, in the food and pharmaceutical industries, as membranes for fuel cells, and for industrial-scale polymers.
The Nanotechnology Engineering honours degree program is designed to provide a practical education in key areas of nanotechnology, including the fundamental chemistry, physics, and engineering of nanostructures or nanosystems as well as the theories and techniques used to model, design, fabricate, or characterize these technologies. Emphasis is placed on training with modern instrumentation techniques as used in the research and development of these emerging technologies. The University awards a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) degree in Nanotechnology Engineering to students who successfully meet all program requirements.
This engineering program is a collaborative effort among three departments: the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, and the Chemistry Department in the Faculty of Science.
Administrative Structure
Leadership for the Nanotechnology Engineering program is provided by the Nanotechnology Engineering Program Director, normally a faculty member chosen from one of Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Electrical and Computer Engineering and holding a joint or cross appointment in the other departments. The Program Director is responsible for academic issues associated with the program's operation, including student liaison and advisement. The Associate Director of Nanotechnology Engineering assists the Program Director in managing the program's day-to-day operations and in advising students.
The Nanotechnology Engineering Program Board oversees the program's operation and evolution. This inter-faculty board normally meets three times a year. It consults with the three home departments and reports to the two faculty councils. Board membership comprises the following.
- Nanotechnology Engineering Program Director, Chair of committee
- Dean, Faculty of Engineering
- Dean, Faculty of Science
- Chair, Department of Chemical Engineering
- Chair, Chemistry Department
- Chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Undergraduate Associate Chair, Department of Chemical Engineering
- Undergraduate Officer, Chemistry Department
- Undergraduate Associate Chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
The Board delegates issues of program operation to the Nanotechnology Engineering Operations Committee and issues of program curriculum to the Nanotechnology Engineering Curriculum Committee.
The Nanotechnology Engineering Operations Committee monitors the operation of the Nanotechnology Engineering program. It normally meets monthly and coordinates requests for instructors, teaching assistants, or resources for courses and laboratories. It reports to the Nanotechnology Engineering Program Board. Its membership comprises the following.
- Nanotechnology Engineering Program Director, Chair of committee
- Undergraduate Associate Chair, Department of Chemical Engineering
- Undergraduate Officer, Chemistry Department
- Undergraduate Associate Chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
The Nanotechnology Engineering Curriculum Committee is responsible for curriculum issues of the Nanotechnology Engineering program and reports to the Nanotechnology Engineering Program Board. Its membership comprises the following.
- Nanotechnology Engineering Program Director, Chair of committee
- Undergraduate Associate Chair, Department of Chemical Engineering
- Undergraduate Officer, Chemistry Department
- Undergraduate Associate Chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Teaching faculty member, Department of Chemical Engineering
- Teaching faculty member, Chemistry Department
- Teaching faculty member, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
The teaching faculty members are appointed by their respective department chairs.
At the faculty level, academic responsibility for Nanotechnology Engineering rests with the Faculty of Engineering and is handled via its normal procedures and committees.
Admissions
The Nanotechnology Engineering Program Board, in consultation with the Faculties of Engineering and Science and their Admissions Committees, recommends admission requirements for the Nanotechnology Engineering program to the Faculty of Engineering. For details on admission information, see the Specific Admission Requirements and Recommendations for Year One Programs in the Admissions chapter of this calendar.
Academic Program
The curriculum in Nanotechnology Engineering is designed to teach those fundamental physical and engineering sciences which form the basis of the work of nanotechnology engineers. The program in Nanotechnology Engineering consists of prescribed core courses complemented by six technical elective courses and five elective courses to satisfy the Complementary Studies Requirements for Engineering Students.
The normal recommended program shown below involves a course load (excluding seminars) of five or six courses per term. Laboratory exercises are compulsory where they form part of a course. Permission from the Associate Director of Nanotechnology Engineering will be required for departures from the normal load in any one term. Permission to carry more than the normal load in any one term will normally be given only if the student holds an 80% average or better in the previous term.
The sequence of co-operative work terms for Nanotechnology Engineering students comprises two 4-month work terms, following the 1B and 2A terms, and two 8-month work terms, following the 2B and 3B terms. The rules of the Co-operative Education System apply, as further described in the Engineering Work Terms section. Four (4) credited work reports conforming to the Nanotechnology Engineering Work Term Report Guidelines are required for graduation.
The promotion criteria used to determine progression through the Nanotechnology Engineering Program are as described in the Engineering Examinations and Promotions section of this calendar.
Available Options
The normal Nanotechnology Engineering program shown below has been designed to offer a well-balanced and rewarding education. Students wishing to enrich their education further may elect to take a Faculty of Engineering Designated Option. Students who complete the requirements of these options will have a designation of completion of the option recorded on their transcripts. Students should be aware that an option may require additional courses, and may constrain the choice of elective courses. An 80% average is required to enter the Mathematics or Physics options. Faculty Options of special interest to Nanotechnology Engineering students are described in the Options and Electives section of this chapter under the following headings.
Academic Curriculum
Average hours per week are indicated in the columns C for class (LEC or SEM), T for tutorial (TUT), and L for laboratory (LAB or PRJ).
|
1A Fall |
C |
T |
L |
MATH 117 Calculus 1 for Engineering |
3 |
2 |
- |
NE 100 Introduction to Nanotechnology Engineering |
3 |
1 |
1 |
| NE 101 Class Professor Seminar |
1 |
- |
- |
NE 112 Linear Algebra with Numerical Applications |
3 |
- |
2 |
NE 113 Engineering Computation |
3 |
1 |
2 |
NE 121 Chemical Principles |
4 |
1 |
- |
|
1B Winter |
C |
T |
L |
MATH 119 Calculus 2 for Engineering |
3 |
2 |
- |
NE 102 Class Professor Seminar |
1 |
- |
- |
NE 115 Probability and Statistics |
3 |
1 |
- |
| NE 122 Organic Chemistry for Nanotechnology Engineers |
3 |
1 |
3 |
| NE 125 Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering |
3 |
1 |
- |
NE 131 Physics for Nanotechnology Engineering |
4 |
1 |
- |
|
2A Fall |
C |
T |
L |
MATH 211 Advanced Calculus 1 for Electrical and Computer Engineers |
3 |
1 |
- |
NE 201 Class Professor Seminar |
1 |
- |
- |
| NE 220L Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory |
- |
- |
1.5 |
NE 224 Biochemistry for Nanotechnology Engineers |
3 |
1 |
1.5 |
| NE 225 Structure and Properties of Matter: From Nanoscale to Bulk |
3 |
1 |
- |
NE 241 Electromagnetism |
3 |
1 |
1.5 |
WKRPT 100 Work–term Report |
|
|
|
CSE Complementary Studies Elective 1 |
|
|
|
|
2B Spring |
C |
T |
L |
MATH 212 Advanced Calculus 2 for Electrical Engineers |
3 |
1 |
- |
MSCI 261 Engineering Economics: Financial Management for Engineers |
3 |
1 |
- |
NE 202 Class Professor Seminar |
1 |
- |
- |
NE 226 Characterization of Materials |
3 |
1 |
1.5 |
NE 232 Quantum Mechanics |
3 |
1 |
- |
NE 242 Electronic Devices |
3 |
1 |
1.5 |
WKRPT 200 Work-term Report |
|
|
|
|
3A Spring |
C |
T |
L |
NE 301 Class Professor Seminar |
1 |
- |
- |
NE 318 Mathematical Methods for Nanotechnology Engineering |
3 |
1 |
- |
| NE 320L Characterization of Materials Laboratory |
- |
- |
1.5 |
| NE 333 Macromolecular Science 1 |
3 |
1 |
- |
NE 334 Statistical Thermodynamics |
3 |
1 |
- |
NE 343 Microfabrication and Thin-film Technology |
3 |
1 |
- |
NE 344 Electronic Circuits and Integration |
3 |
1 |
1.5 |
WKRPT 300 Work-term Report |
|
|
|
CSE Complementary Studies Elective 2 |
|
|
|
|
3B Fall |
C |
T |
L |
NE 302 Class Professor Seminar |
1 |
- |
- |
NE 307 Introduction to Nanosystems Design |
- |
2 |
- |
NE 335 Macromolecular Science 2 |
3 |
1 |
1.5 |
NE 336 Micro and Nanosystem Computer-aided Design |
3 |
1 |
1.5 |
| NE 340L Microfabrication and Thin-film Technology Laboratory |
- |
- |
1.5 |
NE 352 Surfaces and Interfaces |
3 |
1 |
- |
NE 353 Nanoprobing and Lithography |
3 |
1 |
- |
| CSE Complementary Studies Elective 3 |
|
|
|
|
4A Fall |
C |
T |
L |
NE 401 Class Professor Seminar |
1 |
- |
- |
NE 408 Nanosystems Design Project |
- |
- |
10 |
| NE 450L Nanoprobing and Lithography Laboratory |
- |
- |
1.5 |
| NE 454L Nanotechnology Engineering Advanced Laboratory 1 |
- |
- |
6 |
WKRPT 400 Work-term Report |
|
|
|
CSE Complementary Studies Elective 4 |
|
|
|
Three technical electives from the following list. |
|
|
|
| NE 445 Photonic Materials and Devices |
3 |
1 |
- |
| NE 461 Micro and Nanoinstruments |
3 |
1 |
- |
NE 471 Physics, Technology, and Applications of Nanoelectronics |
3 |
1 |
- |
NE 481 Nanoscale Biosystems |
3 |
1 |
- |
NE 491 Nanostructured Materials |
3 |
1 |
- |
|
4B Winter |
C |
T |
L |
NE 402 Class Professor Seminar |
1 |
- |
- |
NE 409 Nanosystems Design Project and Symposium |
- |
- |
10 |
| NE 455L Nanotechnology Engineering Advanced Laboratory 2 |
- |
- |
6 |
| CSE Complementary Studies Elective 5 |
|
|
|
Three technical electives from the following list: |
|
|
|
| NE 459 Nanotechnology Engineering Research Project |
- |
- |
9 |
NE 469 Special Topics in Micro and Nanoinstruments † |
3 |
1 |
- |
NE 479 Special Topics in Nanoelectronics † |
3 |
1 |
- |
NE 489 Special Topics in Nanoscale Biosystems † |
3 |
1 |
- |
| NE 499 Special Topics in Nanostructured Materials † |
3 |
1 |
- |
|
| † At least one course will be offered under each special topic. |