Nanotechnology Curriculum at Cal Poly

Nanotechnology is the engineering of devices that are small enough for the size of a molecule to become relevant. To this end, one must understand how molecules, electrical charge, and light interact. This makes the study inherently interdisciplinary, drawing knowledge from physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, materials engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, as well as polymers and coatings science. Central to nanotechnology is assembly "from the bottom up", which is construction through molecular assembly, as Nature assembles life's devices. Related investigations are rich in biological/inorganic interfaces, and so nanotechnology not only holds great promise to the mechanical and computer industry, but will also be a major component of biotechnology and medical technology.

There is presently a great demand in both industry and graduate school for college graduates with expertise in nanotechnology. Essentially every major research institution is developing a nanotechnology graduate program, and the government is heavily funding this research in order to enhance the nation's technical advantage, because of the inevitable impact on national security. Hence, there is a well established need for college graduates that are prepared for a future in nanotechnology, whether for university study, or industrial research.

Cal Poly is ideally suited to prepare students for a future in nanotechnology. The university's large size, and program diversity results in accessibility to all the foundation coursework that the interdisciplinary study requires as well as the sophisticated instrumentation: Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), chip manufacture facilities (clean room, etching, etc.), polymers and coatings facilities, biology facilities, mechanical engineering lab facilities, and the advanced technology laboratories. Additionally, many faculty conduct research in nanotechnology and provide students with exquisite research opportunities particularly during the summer. These dedicated faculty (see below) guide students to find an area of focus within the dizzying array of nanotechnology specialties such as biomedical, electro-optical, or MEMS — Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems.

Dedicated Nanotechnology Faculty are accessible to guide students within their department and provide student research opportunities.

Possible Advisors:

Classes offered at Cal Poly related to nanotechnology:
* single asterisk indicates classes that should be considered mandatory:

Physics

*PHYS 301 - Thermal Physics (or CHEM 351) (3)
Prerequisites: PHYS calculus based intro 141, 132, 133, PHYS 211, MATH 241 (requires MATH 141/142/143)

PHYS 412 - Solid State Physics (3)
Additional Prerequisites: MATH 244 (requires MATH 141/142/143)

PHYS 413 - Advanced Solid State Physics (3)
Additional Prerequisites: PHYS 412

PHYS 452 - Solid State Physics Laboratory (1)
Additional Prerequisites: PHYS 412

Electrical Engineering:

EE - 422, the Polymer Electronics Lab (1)
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor or EE 347 or MATE 345. EE 347 has the prerequisites of EE 129, EE 169, EE 306, EE 346, EE 307, EE 229. MATE 345 has the prerequisites of MATE 340 (prerequisite MATE 210).

Materials Engineering:

MATE X230/BIO X232 - Nanotechnology, Biology, Ethics and Society (4)
(This course will eventually be a regular course).

MATE X550 - Micro Systems Design & MFG (4)
Prerequisite: MATE 210

MATE 504 - Research in Materials Engineering (4)
Prerequisites: MATE 210 and graduate standing or instructor's permission.

MATE 510 - Materials Characterization (4)
Prerequisites: consent of instructor or, MATE 210, MATE 340

Biology:

*BIO 351 - Principles of Genetics (4)
Prerequisites: BIO 161 (requires BIO 160 and intro CHEM class) and CHEM 312 (requires CHEM 11, or CHEM 127) or CHEM 316 (requires CHEM 111 or CHEM 125 or CHEM 128) recommended: BIO 263 (requires BIO 161 or consent of instructor. Recommended 160 and BIO 162), STAT 218

BIO/CHEM 375 - Molecular Biology Laboratory (2)
prerequisite: BIO 161 (requires BIO 160 and intro CHEM class), and BIO 351 (see above), or CHEM 373 (requires CHEM 371 [CHEM 212/312 or CHEM 217/317. recommended: 231/331])

MCRO 402 - General Virology (4)
prerequisites: BIO 351 (see above) or CHEM 373 **(requires CHEM 371 [CHEM 212/312 or CHEM 217/317. recommended: 231/331]) recommended BIO 452 (see below)

BIO 452 - (strongly recommended, but not mandatory) Cell Biology (4)
Prerequisites: BIO 351 (see below) or CHEM 373** and CHEM 312 (CHEM 111 or CHEM 127) or CHEM 317 (CHEM 216/316)

Chemistry:

*CHEM 312 - Organic, Survey (5)
Prerequisite: CHEM 111 or CHEM 127

*CHEM 351 - Chem Thermo (3), or PHYS 310
Prerequisites: CHEM 129 (requires CHEM 124/125 or CHEM 127/128), PHYS 123 or 133 (requires physics 141), MATH 141/142/143

*CHEM 446 - Surface Chemistry of Materials/MATE 446 (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 305****, or CHEM 351 (listed above)

CHEM 352 - Kinetics and Dynamics
Prerequisites: CHEM 305**** (PHYS 123 or PHYS 133, CHEM 125 or CHEM 127/128/129, MATH 143) or CHEM 351 (listed above)

CHEM 353 - Chem Quantum
Prerequisite: CHEM 352 (listed above)

CHEM 305 - Thermo for MATE
Prerequisites: PHYS 123 or PHYS 133, CHEM 125 or CHEM 127/128/129, MATH 143

CHEM 447 - Polymers and Coatings Lab (2)
Prerequisites: CHEM 444 (Requires CHEM 217/317 [CHEM 216/316 {CHEM 111 CHEM 125 or CHEM 128}]) and concurrent CHEM 443 [CHEM 125 or CHEM 129]

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