Designated Emphasis in Nanoscale Science and Engineering

The Designated Emphasis in Nanoscale Science and Engineering program at UC Berkeley is crafted around a set of educational principles that will motivate physical science and engineering students to acquire an understanding of the capabilities, as well as the limitations, of each other's fields. The basic themes of study focus on the synthesis, characterization, fabrication, and modeling of nanostructured materials and devices.

The DE in NSE is available for students pursuing Ph.D. study in a department associated with the Graduate Group in Nanoscale Science and Engineering. The DE is designed to fulfill one of the required area emphases of the student's Ph.D. program while providing additional opportunities for study and collaboration across the associated disciplines.

As the National Academy of Sciences concluded in its 2002 report, Small Wonders, Endless Frontiers: "The interdisciplinary nature of nanoscale science and technology requires that we implement new paradigms for educating scientists and engineers. The new breed of student must have disciplinary depth but also be unafraid to cross disciplinary boundaries, must be energized by talking with colleagues in other fields, enjoy collaboration, and manage - when appropriate - to work in a team fashion. He or she must learn the languages and methods used by more than one field."

The requirements for completing the DE include a core course, two elective courses, and participation in the NSE Graduate Group seminar series. Students should apply for the Designated Emphasis in NSE before taking their Ph.D. qualifying examination. The Q.E. committee must include members of the NSE Graduate Group faculty.

Curriculum

Students in good standing in one of the affiliated Ph.D. programs are eligible for admission to the NSE Designated Emphasis.

The coursework required for completing the Designated Emphasis in Nanoscale Science & Engineering includes a core course and two elective courses drawn from the areas of nanoscale synthesis and processing, nanoscale characterization, nanoscale modeling, and nanoscale devices. Students also participate in the one-unit seminar series organized by the NSE Graduate Group.

Examination and Dissertation

The qualifying exam will be conducted according to the rules of the student's home department; however, the committee shall include at least one faculty member who is part of the NSE Graduate Group from either the student's home department or an affiliated program. The dissertation committee shall include at least one, and preferably two, NSE faculty members to ensure that the thesis contributes in a significant manner to the interdisciplinary field of Nanoscale Science and Engineering.

Doctoral students participating in the DE will have the opportunity to meet regularly with the other students and faculty in the program that come from a multitude of disciplines. It can be expected that participation in the DE might enhance the chances to obtain fellowships, stipends, and research support from a variety of sources interested in furthering nanoscale science and engineering.

More information is available from the NSE administrative office in the Berkeley Nanosciences and Nanoengineering Institute in 550 Sutardja Dai Hall #1726, contact Avi Rosenzweig at (510) 643-6681 or nanoinstitute@lists.berkeley.edu.

Course Listings

The core course is NSE/Physics C201, a newly-designed, team-taught introduction to the fundamental topics of nanoscale science and engineering. The course is offered each spring. (Note that similar courses may be considered by petition.)

Elective Courses:

There are three+ subareas of study under the NSE umbrella:

[Note -- students to select two classes from the following three+ areas (but not from the same area)]

i. Nanoscale Synthesis and Processing

  • NSE C203/EE 235 Nanoscale Fabrication Instructor C. Chang-Hasnain (formerly EE 290D)
  • Bioengineering 216 section 001, Instructor K. Healy, Macromolecular Science in Biotechnology and Medicine, aka MSE 216
  • Bioengineering 290H, Instructor S.W. Lee, Bio-inspired Nanoscience and Nanomaterials
  • Chemistry 253 A/B/C, Instructor P. Yang and G. Somorjai, Materials Chemistry I & II
  • EE 290B, Instructor E. Anderson, Intro to E-Beam Lithography and Nanofab Technology aka Engin 290A
  • ME 219, Instructor A. Pisano, Micro-electromechanical Systems, aka EE 246
  • ME 290G, Instructor C Grigoropoulos, Laser Processing and Diagnostics
  • MSE 224, Instructor Y. Suzuki, Magnetism and Magnetic Materials
  • MSE 260, Instructor F. Doyle, Surface Properties of Materials

ii. Nanoscale Characterization

  • ME 226, Instructor K. Komvopoulos, Tribology
  • MSE 204, Instructor R. Gronsky, Theory of Electron Microscopy and X-ray Diffraction
  • MSE 241, Instructor R. Gronsky, Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis Techniques Lab,
  • MSE 242, Instructor E. Weber, Advanced Nanostructure Characterization Techniques
  • CHEME 295R, Instructor J. Reimer, Applied Spectroscopy
  • CHEME 295S, Instructor R. Maboudian, Introduction to Surface Science

iii. Nanoscale Modelling

  • NSE C237 / CE C237, Instructor S. Li or Govindjee, Computational Nanomechanics
  • NSE C242 / Physics C203, Instructor J. Grossman, Computational Nanoscience
  • Physics 240A/240B, Instructor S. Louie, Quantum Theory of Solids
  • ME 259, Instructor A. Majumdar, Microscale Thermophysics and Heat Transfer

iv. Nanoscale Devices

  • MSE 226, Instructor D. Kammen/E. Haller, Photovoltaic Materials technologies

The Softer Side of Science and Engineering

Students interested in or required to consider the ethical implications of technology research and development should consider these courses:

  • Bioengineering 100, Instructor T. Budinger, Ethics in Science and Engineering
  • Engineering 124, Instructor W. Kastenberg, Ethics and the Impact of Technology on Society
  • MCB 293C, various instructors, Responsible Conduct of Research
Students interested in making the leap from the lab to the marketplace should consider:
  • EE 298A section 010,Instructors A. Isaacs & T. Kalil, Business of Nanotechnology
Prep For Those Who Want to Get Their Feet Wet

[ Ph.D. students can petition to have these undergrad courses considered in the fulfillment of a minor field requirement.]

  • MSE 140, Instructor A. Minor, Nanomaterials for Scientists and Engineers
  • ME 118, Instructor L. Sohn, Intro to Nanotechnology and Nanoscience
  • ME 119, Instructor L. Lin, Intro to Microelectromechanical Systems
  • EE 143, Instructor N. Cheung, Microfabrication Technology
  • Physics 137A, Instructor D. Lee, Quantum Mechanics
Seminar:

NSE students are required to register for, and attend, NSE 298.1, a weekly seminar in advances in NSE research presented by guest speakers from throughout the campus and the nano world. It must be taken for credit only once.

The journal club for DE in NSE students is offered as NSE 298 section 002, a group meeting following the seminar, on Fridays at 3pm.

Affiliated Ph.D. Programs

Students in the graduate study programs in these departments may pursue the NSE Designated Emphasis.

Ph.D. Program Contact Person Location Phone Email
Applied Science and Technology (AS&T)
Nathan Cheung, Chair
COE
Patricia Berumen 230 Bechtel MC 1708 #2-8790 astprogram@coe
Bioengineering (BIOE)
Theodore Cohn, Chair,
Graduate Group in Bioengineering
COE
Rebecca Pauling

306 Stanley

MC 1762

#2-9931 rpauling@berkeley
Biophysics
Ehud Y. Isacoff, Chair
L&S
Kate Chase 299 LSA MC 3200 #2-0379 katechase@berkeley
Chemical Engineering (CHEME)
Arup K. Chakraborty, Chair
CHEM
Aileen Harris 201G Gilman MC 1462 #2-1533 aileen@cchem
Chemistry (CHEM)
Judith Klinman, Chair
CHEM
Theodosia Valrey 419 Latimer MC 1460 #2-5884 doty@uclink
Earth and Planetary Science (EPS)
Barbara Romanowicz, Chair
L&S
Margie Winn 307 McCone MC 4767 #2-5574 margie@eps
Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS)
S. Shankar Sastry, Chair
COE
Ruth Gjerde 211 Cory MC 1770 #3-8347 ruthg@eecs
Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)
Robert Ritchie, Chair
COE
Janene Martinez 210 HMMB MC 1760 #2-0716 jcarolm@berkeley
Mechanical Engineering (ME)
J. K. Hedrick, Chair
COE
Pat Giddings 6187 Etcheverry MC 1740 #2-5084 giddings@me
Physics (PHYS)
Christopher F. McKee, Chair
L&S
Donna Sakima 370 LeConte MC 7300 #2-0596 sakima@physics
Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Materials (SEMM)
Paulo J.M. Monteiro, Chair
COE
Gloria Partee 721 Davis MC 1710 #2-6463 partee@ce

The DE in NSE is administered by the Graduate Group in Nanoscale Science & Engineering.
Group Chair: Professor Connie Chang-Hasnain, EECS cch@eecs
Head Advisor: Professor Peidong Yang, Chemistry
p_yang@uclink.berkeley.edu
Curriculum subcommittee Chair: Professor Peter Yu, Physics/LBNL pyyu@lbl.gov
Graduate Assistant: Avi Rosenzweig, 510-643-6681 victorr@eecs

Admission

Students admitted to, and in good standing in, Ph.D. programs affiliated with the NSE GG are eligible to participate in the NSE Designated Emphasis. Study focusing on nanoscale research should be described in a brief statement of purpose.

Requirements

One core course, two elective courses, and participation in a one-unit seminar organized by the NSE Graduate Group. The elective courses are chosen from three areas: Nanoscale Synthesis and Processing, Nanoscale Characterization, and Nanoscale Modelling.

Students will meet with a group advisor to form a study plan, and periodically check on progress towards completion. The qualifying exam committee will include at least one faculty member of the graduate group, and the dissertation committee at least one and preferably two, to ensure that the thesis contributes in a significant manner to the field.

Completion

Upon award of the doctoral degree, the transcript record of successful participants in the NSE DE will list a Ph. D. in X with Designated Emphasis in Nanoscale Science and Engineering.

To add the DE-NSE to your degree goal record, first fill out the departmental application (which can be obtained from the NSE office in 550 Sutardja Dai Hall) and then complete the Petition to add/change Degree Goals. The Graduate Division offices degrees unit must receive the signed petition in order to update your official record.

Nanoscale Science and Engineering Graduate Group Faculty

Faculty members from eleven academic departments and Ph.D. programs have joined the Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NSE) Graduate Group. This group administers the Designated Emphasis in NSE, which highlights interdisciplinary research and collaboration across numerous fields in nanoscale research.

For general information, contact us at nanoinstitute@lists.berkeley.edu.

Name Program Location Phone Email Website
Paul Alivisatos AS&T, CHEM B62 Hildebrand MC 1460 #3-7371 Email Website
David Attwood AS&T, EECS LBNL Bldg 2 Rm 400 MC 5230 #486-4463 Email Website
Nitash Balsara CHEME 201C Gilman MC 1462 #2-8973 Email Website
Jill Banfield EPS 369 McCone MC 4767 #2-9488 Email Website
Stan Berger AS&T, BIOE, ME 6111 Etcheverry MC 1740 #2-5950 Email Website
Carolyn Bertozzi CHEM, MCB 820 Latimer MC 1460 #3-1682 Email Website
Jeffrey Bokor AS&T, EECS 508 Cory MC 1770 #2-4134 Email Website
Constance Chang-Hasnain AS&T, EECS 263M Cory MC 1770 #2-4315 Email Website
Nathan Cheung AS&T, EECS 513 Cory MC 1770 #2-1615 Email Website
Daryl Chrzan AS&T, MSE 318 HMMB MC 1760 #3-1624 Email Website
John Clarke PHYS 349 Birge MC 7300 #2-3069 Email Website
Michael Crommie PHYS 366 Le Conte MC 7300 #2-9392 Email Website
Hari Dharan ME 5135 Etcheverry MC 1740 #2-4933 Email Website
Fiona Doyle AS&T, MSE 216 HMMB MC 1760 #2-3801 Email Website
Oscar Dubon MSE 378 HMMB MC 1760 #3-3851 Email Website
Daniel Fletcher BIOE, BIOPHYS 481 Evans MC 1762 #3-3077 Email Website
Jean Frechet CHEM 718 Latimer MC 1460 #3-5624 Email Website
Sanjay Govindjee SEMM 709 Davis MC 1710 #2-6060 Email Website
Costas Grigoropoulos ME 6177 Etcheverry MC 1740 #2-2525 Email Website
Ronald Gronsky AS&T, MSE 218 HMMB MC 1760 #3-9708 Email Website
Jay Groves AS&T, CHEM MC 1460 #3-0186 Email Website
Hartmut Haffner PHYS 301H Le Conte MC 7300 #4-4299 Email Website
Kevin Healy BIOE, MSE 370 HMMB MC 1760 #3-3559 Email Website
Frances Hellman PHYS, MSE 317 Birge MC 7300 #2-6135 Email Website
Amy Herr BIOE, LBNL 308B Stanley MC 1762 #6-3396 Email Website
Enrique Iglesia CHEME 103 Gilman MC 1462 #2-9673 Email Website
Ehud Isacoff MCB 271 LSA MC 7200 #2-9853 Email Website
Ali Javey AS&T, EECS 506 Cory MC 1770 #3-7263 Email Website
Alex Katz CHEME 110A Gilman MC 1462 #3-3248 Email Website
Tsu-Jae King AS&T, EECS 567 Cory MC 1770 #3-9251 Email Website
Kyriakos Komvopoulos ME 5143 Etcheverry MC 1740 #2-2563 Email Website
Sanjay Kumar BIOE 487 Evans MC 1762 #3-0787 Email Website
Alessandra Lanzara PHYS 321 Birge MC 7300 #3-4863 Email Website
Luke Lee AS&T, BIOE 485 Evans MC 1762 #2-5855 Email Website
Seung-Wuk Lee BIOE 201F Donner MC 1762 #486-4628 Email Website
Stephen Leone CHEM, PHYS 209 Gilman MC 1460 #3-5467 Email Website
Shaofan Li SEMM 783 Davis MC 1710 #2-5362 Email Website
Liwei Lin ME 5126 Etcheverry MC 1740 #3-5495 Email Website
Jeffrey Long CHEM 534 Latimer MC 1460 #2-0860 Email Website
Roya Maboudian AS&T, CHEME 106 Gilman MC 1462 #3-7957 Email Website
Gerard Marriott BIOE 274 HMMB MC 1762 #2-5833 Email Website
Paulo J.M. Monteiro SEMM 725 Davis MC 1710 #3-8251 Email Website
J.W. Morris MSE 228 HMMB MC 1760 #2-3815 Email Website
Susan Muller CHEME 101A Gilman MC 1462 #2-4525 Email Website
Claudia Ostertag SEMM 721 Davis MC 1710 #2-0184 Email Website
Alexander Pines CHEM D64 Hildebrand MC 1460 #2-1220 Email Website
Al Pisano EECS, ME 253 Cory MC 1774 #2-7200 Email Website
Zi Qiang Qiu PHYS 365 Birge MC 7300 #2-2959 Email Website
R. Ramesh MSE, PHYS 219 HMMB MC 1760 #2-2347 Email Website
Sayeef Salahuddin EECS 550C Cory MC 1770 #2-4662 Email Website
S. Shankar Sastry BIOE, EECS 231 Cory MC 1770 #2-0253 Email Website
Richard Saykally CHEM D31 Hildebrand MC 1460 #2-8269 Email Website
David Schaffer CHEME 201 Gilman MC 1462 #3-5963 Email Website
Rachel A. Segalman CHEME 201D Gilman MC 1462 #2-7998 Email Website
Lydia Sohn ME 5118 Etcheverry MC 1740 #2-5434 Email Website
Angelica Stacy CHEM 538 Latimer MC 1460 #2-3450 Email Website
Yuri Suzuki MSE 380 HMMB MC 1760 #3-0087 Email Website
Umesh Vazirani EECS 671 Soda MC 1776 #2-0572 Email Website
Eicke Weber AS&T, MSE 374 HMMB MC 1760 #2-0205 Email Website
Birgitta Whaley AS&T, CHEM 219 Gilman MC 1460 #3-6820 Email Website
Junqiao Wu MSE 322 HMMB MC1760 #2-4391 Email Website
Ming Wu AS&T, EECS 261M Cory MC 1770 #3-0808 Email Website
Ting Xu MSE, CHEM 381 HMMB MC 1760 #2-1632 Email Website
Eli Yablonovitch AS&T, EECS 267M Cory MC 1770 #2-6821 Email Website
Peidong Yang AS&T, CHEM B68 Hildebrand MC 1460 #3-1545 Email Website
Peter Yu AS&T, PHYS 331 Birge MC 7300 #2-8087 Email Website
Alex Zettl PHYS 341 Birge MC 7300 #2-4939 Email Website
Xiang Zhang ME 5130 Etcheverry MC 1740 #3-4978 Email Website