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 upon atomic- and molecular-scale concepts and 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 typically less than five nanometers in size) and bulk material, thereby requiring a knowledge of fundamental chemistry and quantum physics. To develop this new cluster of technologies, there is an acute need for highly trained personnel who have a good understanding of the natural laws that govern the workings not only of atoms and molecules but also of natural or manufactured nanoscopic and mesoscopic structures and systems (such as, clusters, fullerenes, nanotubes, macromolecules, nanorobots, and nanosystems more generally).
This field is loosely divided into four categories, namely: micro and nanoinstruments, nanoelectronics, nano-biosystems, and nanoengineered materials. The first category addresses some of the most far-reaching, yet practical, applications of miniaturized instrumentation for the study of molecular-scale species in chemical, clinical, or biochemical analysis, in biotechnology for agent detection, and in environmental analysis. The second category concerns the development of systems and materials required for the electronics industry in order to move beyond current technological limits – producing even finer detail than currently featured in high-performance microprocessor chips. Also in this category is a new generation of electronic devices based upon organic and plastic materials, which is expected to create new markets with applications ranging from smart cards to tube-like computers. The third category can be described as molecular manipulation of biomaterials and the associated miniaturization of analytical devices in terms of DNA, peptides, proteins, and cell chips. The final category examines several classes of advanced materials, including nanocrystalline materials and nanopowders, that can be utilized in electronics and photonics applications, in the automobile, food, and pharmaceutical industries, as membranes for fuel cells, and as industrial-scale polymers.
The Nanotechnology Engineering honours degree program is designed to provide an education in key areas of nanotechnology, including the fundamental chemistry, physics, and engineering of nanostructures or nanosystems and the theories and techniques employed in the modeling, design, fabrication, and characterization of technological applications. Emphasis is placed on training with the same modern instrumentation techniques used in research and development in 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 Department of Chemistry 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 the Departments 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 Program Director assists the Program Director in managing the program's day-to-day operations and in student advisement.
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 co-ordinates 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 into this program, see the Academic course requirements.
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 in addition to MSCI 261 in order 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. Three (3) 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 for 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 options in Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences or Physics. Faculty Options of special interest to Nanotechnology Engineering students are described in Options, Specializations and Electives for Engineering Students of this section of the calendar under the following headings.
- Option in International Studies in Engineering
- Option in Life Sciences
- Option in Management Sciences
- Option in Mathematics
- Option in Physical Sciences
- Option in Physics
Academic Curriculum
Glossary of descriptions for the next table:
| Code |
Description |
| Cls |
Class |
| Tut |
Tutorial |
| Lab |
Laboratory |
| 0-10 |
Number of hours per week for Class, Tutorial, or Laboratory |
| † |
At least one course will be offered under each special topic.
|
| ‡ |
NE 102, 201, 202, 301, and 302 provide milestones which must be passed for a student to proceed in the academic program. Successful completion is required by the end of the academic term following the one having the scheduled meets. Specifically, students are not allowed to enrol in any academic term beyond 2A without the credit for NE 102, beyond 2B without the credit for NE 201, beyond 3A without the credit for NE 202, beyond 3B without the credit for NE 301, or beyond 4A without the credit for NE 302.
|
| ≠ |
NE 111 is taught online. Students enrolled in 1A for Fall 2015 and later will be able to go online before coming to campus in September. |
The term by term academic component of the program for students entering Fall 2014 and later is as follows:
| Term |
Course and Title |
Cls |
Tut |
Lab |
| 1A Fall |
MATH 117 Calculus 1 for Engineering |
3 |
2 |
0 |
| NE 100 Introduction to Nanotechnology Engineering |
3 |
2 |
1 |
| NE 101 Nanotechnology Engineering Practice |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 111 Introduction to Engineering Computing ≠ |
2 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 112 Linear Algebra for Nanotechnology Engineering |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| NE 115 Probability and Statistics |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| NE 121 Chemical Principles |
4 |
1 |
0 |
| 1B Winter |
MATH 119 Calculus 2 for Engineering |
3 |
2 |
0 |
| NE 102 Introduction to Nanomaterials Health Risks; Nanotechnology Engineering Practice ‡ |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 113 Introduction to Computational Methods |
3 |
1 |
2 |
| NE 122 Organic Chemistry for Nanotechnology Engineers |
3 |
1 |
1.5 |
| NE 125 Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| NE 131 Physics for Nanotechnology Engineering |
4 |
1 |
0 |
| 2A Fall |
NE 201 Nanotoxicology; Nanotechnology Engineering Practice ‡ |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 216 Advanced Calculus 1 for Nanotechnology Engineering |
3 |
1 |
2 |
| NE 220L Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory |
0 |
0 |
1.5 |
| NE 224 Biochemistry for Nanotechnology Engineers |
4 |
1 |
1.5 |
| NE 225 Structure and Properties of Matter: From Nanoscale to Bulk |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| NE 241 Electromagnetism |
3 |
1 |
1.5 |
| CSE Complementary Studies Elective 1 |
|
|
|
| 2B Spring |
MSCI 261 Engineering Economics: Financial Management for Engineers |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| NE 202 Nano-ecotoxicology and Environmental Toxicology; Nanotechnology Engineering Practice ‡ |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 217 Advanced Calculus 2 for Nanotechnology Engineering |
3 |
1 |
2 |
| NE 226 Characterization of Materials |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| NE 226L Laboratory Characterization Methods |
0 |
0 |
1.5 |
| NE 232 Quantum Mechanics |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| NE 242 Electronic Devices |
3 |
1 |
1.5 |
| WKRPT 200 Work-term Report |
| 3A Spring |
NE 301 Environmental Impact, Ecotoxicology, and Nanotechnology Engineering Practice ‡ |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 318 Continuum Mechanics for Nanotechnology Engineering |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| NE 320L Characterization of Materials Laboratory |
0 |
0 |
1.5 |
| NE 333 Macromolecular Science 1 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| NE 334 Statistical Thermodynamics |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| NE 343 Microfabrication and Thin-film Technology |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| NE 344 Electronic Circuits and Integration |
3 |
1 |
1.5 |
| WKRPT 300 Work-term Report |
| CSE Complementary Studies Elective 2 |
| 3B Fall |
NE 302 Nanomaterials Risks/Benefits and Nanotechnology Engineering Practice ‡ |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 307 Introduction to Nanosystems Design |
2 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 330L Macromolecular Science Laboratory |
0 |
0 |
1.5 |
| NE 335 Macromolecular Science 2 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| NE 336 Micro and Nanosystem Computer-aided Design |
3 |
1 |
1.5 |
| NE 340L Microfabrication and Thin-film Technology Laboratory |
0 |
0 |
1.5 |
| NE 352 Surfaces and Interfaces |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| NE 353 Nanoprobing and Lithography |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| CSE Complementary Studies Elective 3 |
| 4A Fall |
NE 401 Nanotechnology Engineering Practice |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 408 Nanosystems Design Project |
0 |
0 |
10 |
| NE 450L Nanoprobing and Lithography Laboratory |
0 |
0 |
1.5 |
| NE 454L Nanotechnology Engineering Advanced Laboratory 1 |
0 |
0 |
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 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 451 Simulation Methods in Nanotechnology Engineering |
3 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 461 Micro and Nanoinstruments |
3 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 471 Physics, Technology, and Applications of Nanoelectronics |
3 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 481 Introduction to Nanomedicine and Nanobiology |
3 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 491 Nanostructured Materials |
3 |
0 |
0 |
| 4B Winter |
NE 402 Nanotechnology Engineering Practice |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 409 Nanosystems Design Project and Symposium |
0 |
0 |
10 |
| NE 455L Nanotechnology Engineering Advanced Laboratory 2 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
| CSE Complementary Studies Elective 5 |
| Three technical electives from the following list: |
| NE 452 Special Topics in Nanoscale Simulations |
3 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 459 Nanotechnology Engineering Research Project |
0 |
0 |
9 |
| NE 469 Special Topics in Micro and Nanoinstruments † |
3 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 479 Special Topics in Nanoelectronics † |
3 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 489 Special Topics in Nanoscale Biosystems † |
3 |
0 |
0 |
| NE 499 Special Topics in Nanostructured Materials † |
3 |
0 |
0 |