Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Faculty in the School of Engineering and the College of Arts and Science offer an interdisciplinary minor in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The minor is administered by the School of Engineering.

Nanoscience and nanotechnology are based on the ability to synthesize, organize, characterize, and manipulate matter systematically at dimensions of ~1 to 100 nm, creating uniquely functional materials that differ in properties from those prepared by traditional approaches. At these length scales, materials can take on new properties that can be exploited in a wide range of applications such as for solar energy conversion, ultra-sensitive sensing, and new types of vaccines. These activities require the integration of expertise from various areas of science and engineering, often relying on methods of synthesis, fabrication, and characterization that are beyond those encountered in an individual course of study.

Students who minor in nanoscience and nanotechnology learn the principles and methods used in this rapidly growing field. Its core originates in the physical sciences by providing key approaches for describing the behavior of matter on the nanoscale. Synthetic approaches are used to manipulate matter systematically, for creating uniquely functional nanomaterials that can be inorganic, organic, biological, or a hybrid of these. With a third component of characterization, a process for designing systems to have particular properties as a result of their composition and nanoscale arrangement emerges. Students are introduced to these areas through foundational and elective courses for the minor that are specified below, the latter of which can be selected to fulfill the degree requirements for their major.

The minor in nanoscience and nanotechnology is supported by the Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (VINSE) that brings together faculty from the College of Arts and Science, the School of Engineering, and the Medical Center. A specialized laboratory facility maintained by VINSE provides students in the minor with capstone experiences that allow them to prepare and characterize a variety of nanostructured systems using in-house state-of-the-art instrumentation. This hands-on laboratory component enhances the attractiveness of students to both employers and graduate schools.

• All required parts of the Common Application or Coalition, powered by Scoir, including the personal essay and short answer
• $50 nonrefundable application fee, or fee waiver for qualified students
• Official high school transcript
• Counselor letter of recommendation
• Two academic teacher letters of recommendation
• Optional for students applying for fall 2024 entry: SAT or ACT scores (SAT code: 1871 / ACT code: 4036)

Three Ways to Apply:

• Coalition, powered by Scoir
• Common Application
• QuestBridge

Choose the application system that is right for you - we do not prefer one over the others. Do not submit an application through more than one system. Choose one application, and submit all required materials through that method.