Program Overview
Master of Science in Nanoscale Science
Harness Emerging Science and Research to Transform Industry
Explore a diverse, interdisciplinary field through leading-edge research and in-depth coursework where you will gain a deep theoretical and practical understanding of nanoscale materials, structure and architectures.
In UAlbany’s MS in Nanoscale Science program you can choose from a range of tracks pertaining to nanoelectronic, optoelectrical, optical, nanosystems, energy and nanobiological fields.
You’ll graduate with skills and knowledge that are in high demand in industries ranging from forensics and food science to energy and the environment. From here you’ll be well equipped to pursue a competitive doctoral program or a trailblazing career.
Program of Study
Because nanoscale science is highly interdisciplinary and our students come to the program from a range of science disciplines, all students enroll in a sequence of foundational courses that provide the core competencies necessary for success in nanoscale science and engineering fields.
You’ll earn the rest of your credits through master’s level research, seminars and other nanoscale science and engineering courses, which are determined in part by which of the seven tracks you choose to pursue.
Foundations of Nanotechnology Course Sequence
- Chemical Principles of Nanotechnology
- Foundations of Nanotechnology I, II, III & IV
Nanoscale Science Courses
- Six credits as advised.
Master’s Level Research
- Research in Nanoscale Science OR
- Thesis in Nanosciences and Nanoengineering
Seminar or External Courses
- Three credits as advised.
Tracks
- Molecular Materials and Architecture
- Optoelectronic Materials and Architectures
- Spintronic Materials and Architectures
- Ultra-Thin Film Single and Multilayered Nanomaterial Structures
- Nanoscale Materials Characterization, Analysis and Metrology
- Nanomaterials for Nanotechnology
- Economic Impacts of Nanoscale Science and Nanotechnology
Research and Facilities
As a student in the master’s in nanoscale science program at UAlbany, you’ll have access to the Albany NanoTech Complex, the most advanced nanotech center in North America. Gain hands-on experience inside an unmatched 1.65M square foot facility that houses a powerful ecosystem for education, development, tech acceleration, business incubation and prototyping.
Available internship and research opportunities, many of which happen in cooperation with Albany NanoTech’s numerous onsite corporate partners, including IBM, GlobalFoundries, Samsung, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, ASML and Lam Research, can lead to transformative career opportunities.
In addition to the Albany NanoTech Complex, UAlbany’s College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE) is also home to other research labs and programs:
- The Advanced Cybersecurity Research Lab, a hub for investigating cybersecurity, machine learning, and autonomic computing approaches.
- The New York State Data Center, a partnership between the New York State office of Information Technology and New York State Office of General Services that’s dedicated to making government IT operations and services more efficient and reliable.
- The Center for Advanced Semiconductor Power Electronics Research (CASPER), an organization working to advance power electronics based on wide bandgap materials.
Career Outcomes
With a master’s in nanoscale science degree, you’ll be prepared for the fast-growing nanoscience field that has transformed industries, from agriculture, food and medicine to automotive, environmental management and transportation. You’ll find nanoscience career paths in research and development, applied engineering and academia, or pursue doctoral studies at UAlbany or another prestigious U.S. or international institution.
Potential job titles for an MS in Nanoscale Science include:
- Applications Engineer
- Director of Product Marketing
- Director of Research
- Holography and Optics Technician
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Market Development Manager
- Mechanical Engineer
- Optical Assembly Technician
- Optical Engineer
- Product Marketing Manager
- Research & Development Engineers
- Research Scientist
- University Professor
International Students
This degree is designated as a STEM program. International students maintaining F-1 status are allowed to apply for up to 12 months of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) following completion/graduation from their degree program. Currently, this degree program is also designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an eligible degree for the F-1 STEM OPT work authorization extension; students who secure qualifying employment may be eligible to apply for the STEM OPT extension for a cumulative total of up to 36 months of F-1 OPT work authorization.
Admissions Requirements
Deadlines
- Departmental Assistantship Consideration:
- Fall: February 1
- Spring: October 1
- No Departmental Assistantship Consideration:
- Fall: February 1
- Spring: October 1
Required Application Materials
- Transcripts from all schools attended
- Three academic or professional letters of recommendation
- Personal Statement
- Resume
- GRE General Test score is strongly recommended but not required. The department evaluates all aspects of the application, therefore a minimum score is not identified.
Student Learning Objectives
Depending on the chosen track, students will be able to:
- Conduct investigations and measurements of nanoscale and quantum phenomena in physical or biological systems.
- Interpret when quantum and nanoscale effects are present in experimental data, and predict how quantum and nanoscale effects may manifest in experimental and practical conditions.
- Understand and explain the origins of nanoscale phenomena in a variety of technological or bio-technological contexts.
- Communicate, both written and orally, to professional audiences.
Supplemental Degree Programs
Graduate students can typically request a supplemental degree in one or more subordinate degrees without needing to go through the full admissions process again.
Supplemental programs available with this degree:
- Africana Studies CGS
- Community College Leadership CGS
- Demography CGS
- International Education Management CGS
- Semiconductor Manufacturing CGS
- Semiconductor Metrology CGS
- Semiconductor Patterning and Processing CGS
Program Outline
Outline:
- Foundations of Nanotechnology Course Sequence:
- Chemical Principles of Nanotechnology
- Foundations of Nanotechnology I, II, III & IV
- Nanoscale Science Courses:
- Six credits as advised.
- Master’s Level Research:
- Research in Nanoscale Science OR
- Thesis in Nanosciences and Nanoengineering
- Seminar or External Courses:
- Three credits as advised.
Careers:
- Applications Engineer
- Director of Product Marketing
- Director of Research
- Holography and Optics Technician
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Market Development Manager
- Mechanical Engineer
- Optical Assembly Technician
- Optical Engineer
- Product Marketing Manager
- Research & Development Engineers
- Research Scientist
- University Professor
Other:
- The program is designated as a STEM program, allowing international students to apply for up to 12 months of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).
- The program is also designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an eligible degree for the F-1 STEM OPT work authorization extension, allowing students to apply for a cumulative total of up to 36 months of F-1 OPT work authorization.