Master of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

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Fact sheet

The Master's

Nanoscience studies phenomena and manipulation at the atomic and molecular scale (nanometers: i.e., one billionth of a meter). Important properties such as the electrical, optical, and mechanical properties are determined by the way molecules and atoms assemble on the nanoscale into larger structures.

Nanotechnology is the application of this science in new nanomaterials and nano concepts for new components, systems, and products. Therefore, nanotechnology will provide us with the ability to design custom-made materials with any property we require.

These newborn scientific disciplines are situated at the interface of physics, chemistry, material science, microelectronics, biochemistry, and biotechnology. Control of these disciplines therefore requires an academic and multidisciplinary scientific education.

In the Master of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, you will learn the basics of physics, biology, and chemistry at the nanometer scale, topped with courses on technology and engineering to ensure practical know-how. The programme fits into the growing worldwide convergence between these different basic sciences, and between science, technology, and engineering sciences in general.

In addition to this programme, there is also an interuniversity Erasmus Mundus Master of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology programme.

My profile

You have strong analytic, synthetic, and interpretive capabilities and a clear interest in both fundamental sciences as well as technological problems. You should be able to understand a large variety of problems and to translate them into an abstract academic level. You should be interested in how and why systems function, and at the same time have a clear sense of the societal and psychological relevance of technology and its implications upon society.

From your bachelor's education, you have basic knowledge of mathematics, physics, organic and inorganic chemistry, cell biology and biochemistry, molecular and atomic architecture, material science, electronics, and electromagnetism. You have shown excellence in your study results, as well as sufficient knowledge of English.

By the end of the programme, you will possess:

• Thorough knowledge of the fundamental structures at the level of physical, biological, and chemical systems in terms of their molecular and atomic characteristics
• Understanding of the formation of complex macro systems, which are unique in their operations and possess new functionalities
• Thorough knowledge of mathematics, material science, and electronics
• Proficiency in translating this knowledge into useful technological applications
• Extensive analytic and synthetic problem-solving capacities
• Sufficient scientific background to undertake research

Admission requirements

To the definitive admission requirements
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Study programme

The master's programme consists of six parts:

1. In the introductory courses (max. 15 credits), you will learn the basics of the disciplines you missed during your bachelor's training. If, however, you have followed these courses during your bachelor's programme, you will compensate the credits with elective courses.
2. The non-technical courses (9-12 credits) are needed to learn some non-technical skills. Modules such as ethics, scientific writing skills, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property are offered.
3. The core courses (36 credits) provide you with the basic knowledge of the programme's core disciplines: nanotechnology, nanoscience, biochemistry, and physics. You have to follow these courses irrespective of your specialisation.
4. The specific courses (15 credits) introduce specialisation into the programme. There are three graduating options: Engineering, Bioscience Engineering, and Natural Sciences. Depending on your graduation option, you can choose one of five specific course clusters.
5. The broadening courses (12-30 credits) allow you to broaden your horizon with specific courses from the other specialisations. You can choose courses from all other specific course clusters and from extra clusters. You can also replace six credits with an industrial internship during the summer between the two master's years.
6. The master's thesis (30 credits) is meant to introduce you to a multidisciplinary research environment. You will be assigned to a relevant research project and work in close collaboration with PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and professors. The research project culminates with the public presentation of the master's thesis.

To a detailed overview of the programme

Assets

The programme is strongly research-oriented, and is largely based on the research of centres like IMEC (Interuniversity Microelectronics Center) and INPAC (Institute for Nanoscale Physics and Chemistry) at the Faculty of Science, which are both worldwide research leaders in nanoscience and nanotechnology. During your master's thesis, you will have the opportunity to work in the exciting research programmes of these institutes.

As a graduate of the Master of Science in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology programme, you will have thorough scientific knowledge of the fundamental structures of physical, biological, and chemical systems in terms of their molecular and atomic characteristics. You will also understand the formation of complex macro systems, which are unique in their operations and possess new functionalities, based on their molecular and atomic properties.

The objective of the Master of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is to provide topquality university multidisciplinary education in nanoscience as well as in the use of nanotechnologies for systems and sensors at the macro-scale. The programme runs over the disciplines of the three contributing faculties:

• Science: Departments of Physics and Chemistry
• Engineering: Departments of Electrical Engineering and Material Sciences
• Bioscience Engineering

Some of the teaching staff are connected with IMEC, bringing a strong nanoelectronic component to the programme. The courses are taught in English. The key educational concepts of the programme are: the nanosciences are multidisciplinary. You will receive basic training in nanoscale physics, chemistry, biology, bio-chemistry, material science, and electronics. Special courses are designed to offer thinking across the boundaries of these traditional scientific disciplines. This knowledge is complemented with courses in modern nanoelectronics and complex electronic systems, teaching students how nanosciences bring innovation about for humankind.

The programme is strongly connected to the latest innovations in the field. The courses are continuously updated following the progress of science and technology in this young and highly innovative field. Furthermore, you will spend at least one fourth of the study programme on elaborating your own research project in a master's thesis. There is ample room for elective courses, either to increase your level of proficiency, or to broaden your horizon, according to your own interest. Ethical and societal aspects with respect to the use of nanoscience and nanomaterials are also part of the curriculum.

Career prospects

In the coming decades, nanoscience and nanotechnology will undoubtedly become the driving force for a new set of products, systems, and applications. They are even expected to become the basis for a new industrial revolution.

Within a few years, nanoscience applications are expected to impact virtually every technological sector and ultimately many aspects of our daily life. In the coming five-to-ten years, many new products and companies will emerge based on nanotechnology and nanosciences. These new products will stem from the knowledge developed at the interface of the various scientific disciplines offered in this master’s programme.

As a result, the students who graduate as masters of nanosciences and nanotechnology will be joining companies developing these new technologies. The graduates will be able to go into R&D as well as industry. In the coming years, there will be a strong need for scientists and engineers whose expertise is precisely at the interface of these various disciplines, and these engineers will end up in jobs directly aligned to the education offered in this master’s programme. You will be employed by companies in the electronics sector, new and smart material industry, chemical technology, and biotechnology companies. As a graduate of the programme, you will have an ideal background to become the interface between experts in all these disciplines and you will be able to use your broad perspective of nanotechnology to develop and create new products or even start up completely new companies. With your basic education, you will also end up in R&D (research & development), product design, or product development, or you will have the capability to become an independent consultant.

Registration fee

To the definitive registration fees

More information

Extra admission requirements upon application

• A letter of motivation

Visit this programme's website. Or contact the Programme Director:Professor G. Groeseneken

Application