Nanoscience Technology |
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| Frequently Asked Questions | |
| When does the program start? | |
| The program will begin fall semester 2006. A student will initially enroll in a General Liberal Arts curriculum with the intention of applying for acceptance into the Nanoscience Technology program during the spring semester of his/her first year. Acceptance into the Nanoscience Technology program for the following summer, fall and spring semesters will be on a competitive basis. | |
| How long does it take to complete the program? | |
| The nanotechnician program takes two years plus one summer to complete, a total of five full-time semesters. It can be taken over a longer period of time if a student spreads out the course work. Courses cannot be taken out of sequence as specified in the program curriculum. | |
| Where are the classes offered? | |
| The Nanoscience Technology program is a collaborative effort between North Dakota State College of Science and Minnesota State Community and Technical College-Moorhead. Students may enroll and earn a degree through either college. | |
| The first two semesters may be taken at the NDSCS campus in Wahpeton or at the MSCTC campus in Moorhead. Many of the classes are also available online. The following summer, fall and spring semesters primarily consist of nanoscience classes taught at the Skills and Technology Training Center in Fargo. | |
| Where are the Internships? | |
| Internships are an integral part of the program. They are intended to allow students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working in the various industry areas involved in nanotechnology. Internships will be conducted at various companies in the Red River Valley and surrounding area. Temporary relocation and/or travel to an internship site may be required in certain circumstances. Students must demonstrate subject matter competency and meet established academic standards prior to participating in internships. | |
| What other options does the program offer? | |
| A Nanoscience Technology Associate in Applied Science degree is currently being offered. This is a broad-based degree designed to cover all aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology. It will allow students to work in a variety of industries. NDSCS and MSCTC expect to develop programs with a microelectronics/micromanufacturing focus and a nanobiotechnology/nanobiomedicine focus. A Liberal Arts transfer degree is also planned. | |
| How do I enroll? | |
| Students can enroll in the Nanoscience program at either participating college. Tuition information and application procedures are available from the following offices: | |
| NDSCS Enrollment Services 800 Sixth Street North Wapheton, ND 58076 Phone: 1-800-342-4325, ext. 3-2202 or e-mail. |
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| MSCTC–Moorhead Student Center 1900 28th Avenue South Moorhead, MN 56560 Phone: 1-800-426-5603, ext. 6512 or e-mail. |
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| What do nanotechnicians do? | |
| Depending on the stage of development within a company involved in nanotechnology, a nanotechnician may be employed in a variety of roles. As a research or lab assistant, this individual may assist a scientist or engineer in the early phases of product development by performing experiments, operating and maintaining equipment and helping analyze specific aspects of the product. Once a prototype has been developed and a commercial application for the product has been established, a nanoscience technician may be involved in many phases of product production. This may include operating and maintaining various instruments, monitoring production processes and performing quality and assurances activities. | |
| Other career opportunities may include market analysis, competitive assessment, product marketing and business development. | |
| Who employes nanotechnicians? | |
| Nanotechnicians work in a wide variety of industries including biomedicine/biotech, microelectronics/microfabrication -RFID, materials/coatings/polymers, agriculture production, food processing/value added agriculture, environmental analysis/bio-remediation and energy - H-fuel cells/biomass/solar/wind. | |
| What products do nanotechnicians create? | |
| A wide range of products may use nanotechnology in their production. Some examples include: microspheres in cosmetics, stain-resistant coatings for clothing, microelectronic circuits in cellular phones, biosensors and much more. | |
| What’s a nanotechnician’s salary? | |
| The National Science Foundation predicts the starting salary ranges for nanotechnicians are expected to range from $35,000 to $65,000 depending on location and specific companies. | |
