1. Nanoscience
  2. Curriculum and Degree Requirements

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

The M.S. in Nanoscience requires 30 credits of approved course work, including a choice of electives and a Thesis/Capstone Project.

Upon admission to the program, the Director will advise the student on course selection and potential research projects that the student may pursue. Each student will be given the opportunity to hear first-hand from potential faculty mentors with the purpose of exploring his/her research interests.

Each student will be assigned to a faculty mentor who will guide him/her in an experimental research project.

Courses can be found via CUNY's Dynamic Course Schedule.

Students in the M.S. Program in Nanoscience must complete required coursework in the following areas:

Quantum Mechanics

One of the following:

  • Quantum Mechanics I (PHYS 72500)
  • Introduction to Quantum Chemistry (CHEM 76000).

Chemistry

One of the following:

  • Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 71000)
  • Polymer Chemistry (CHEM 73000)
  • Organic Chemistry (CHEM 75000)

Nanoscience Theory

One of the following:

  • Solid State Physics (PHYS 74500)
  • Introduction to Nanotechnology (CHEM 78500)

Physics

  • Nano and Micro Photonics (PHYS 81700)

Practical Nanoscience Laboratory

One required hands-on laboratory course in nanoscience (CHEM 79051)

Scientific Writing 

One required course in Scientific Writing (NANO 70500). This course trains students how to critically read the scientific literature and how to describe their research project, experimental approach, materials and methods, data, results, and conclusions for publication.

Master’s students are required to take one course in Quantum Mechanics (PHYS 72500 Quantum Mechanics I or CHEM 76000 Introduction to Quantum Chemistry), in Chemistry (CHEM 71000 Inorganic Chemistry, CHEM 73000 Polymer Chemistry, or CHEM 75000 Organic Chemistry) and in Nanoscience Theory (PHYS 74500 Solid State Physics or CHEM 78500 Introduction to Nanotechnology). The students may take more of these courses as electives. Additional electives include CHEM 78000 Chemical Information Sources, CHEM 86921 Computational Chemistry, PHYS 85200 Metamaterials, PHYS 81900 Physics of Semiconductors, and NANO 71000 Nanofabrication and Nanodevices.

For the M.S. degree, a thesis/capstone project based on the collection and analysis of experimental research is required. All students will conduct research in the laboratory of one of the participating faculty members for a minimum of two semesters. The research will be conducted in labs at the CUNY ASRC, Brooklyn College, The City College of New York, College of Staten Island, Hunter College, Lehman College, Queens College, York College, and Medgar Evers College. Thus, Advanced Supervised Research (NANO 79400) may be repeated for credit, as necessary.
 
The data collected in NANO 79400 will form the basis for the writing of a master’s thesis in the NANO 79000 Thesis/Capstone course. Students will be required to enroll in this 3-credit course in the final semester towards completion of the degree. The course will entail the writing of the thesis under the supervision of a faculty member. Students may enroll in the thesis/capstone course concurrently with the Advanced Supervised Research or Scientific Writing courses.

All master’s students enrolled in this program must take the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) workshop, offered biannually by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. This training covers issues of the fabrication of data, plagiarism, attribution of author credit on publication, the relationship between mentors and trainees, and the control of data. This training also covers Title IX issues of sexual harassment, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Learn more about RCR at the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs