The purpose of the Ph.D. programs is to prepare the student for a career
as a productive research scholar in nanosciences or nanoengineering.
The programs are intended for students with career interests in
industrial research and development, academic scholarship and research,
or government research agencies.
The Ph.D. programs are designed to develop the student's ability to discover fundamental knowledge pertaining to:
- The design, growth, and properties of
nanomaterials, including metals, semiconductors, polymers, and chemical
and biological materials
- The integration, processing, testing,
and qualification of these materials in nanocircuitry, nanosystems,
nanosensors, and integrated nano-optical systems
Significant emphasis within each discipline is placed upon the science
and technological know-how for atomic scale material modeling,
characterization, and metrology to develop the fundamental skills
necessary for independent and original research.
Students accepted into one of the CNSE Ph.D. programs are required to
construct a preliminary program of graduate study with the assistance of
their academic advisor at the completion of the first year of study.
This preliminary program will consist of the student's choice of
concentration (specialization) and a tentative concentration course
curriculum.
Requirements of the Ph.D. in Nanoscale Science
1. Students admitted with an appropriate Bachelor's degree shall
complete 60 credit hours of academic coursework in partial fulfillment
of the Ph.D. degree requirements:
1.a. Thirty-six (36) credit hours CNSE coursework at the 500 level or higher with the following provisions:
1.a.i. Completion of the 12 credit-hour (four-course) "Foundations of Nanotechnology" sequence.
1.a.ii. Completion of at least 9 credit hours of 600 or higher level coursework as advised relevant to a CNSE Nanoscale Science track.
1.b. Nine (9) credit hours of seminar/external courses.
1.c. Fifteen (15) credit hours of Ph.D. dissertation research.
2. Students admitted with an appropriate Masters degree shall complete
36 credit hours of academic coursework in partial fulfillment of the
Ph.D. degree requirements.
2.a. Fifteen (15) credit hours CNSE coursework at the 500 level or higher with the following provisions:
2.a.i. Completion of "Foundations of Nanotechnology"
course sequence for which the student did not receive course
equivalency upon matriculation into the Nanoscale Science Ph.D. program.
2.a.ii. Completion of at least 6 credit hours of 600 or higher level coursework as advised relevant to a CNSE Nanoscale Science track.
2.b. Six (6) credit hours of seminar/external courses.
2.c. Fifteen (15) credit hours of Ph.D. dissertation research.
3. Preliminary Written Examination for formal admission to the Nanoscale Science Ph.D. program:
Admission to the Nanoscale Science Ph.D. program requires successful
completion of a preliminary written examination covering fundamental
topics in Nanoscale Science. The exam will be offered yearly and must be
passed within two attempts to maintain academic standing in the
Nanoscale Science Ph.D. program.
4. Preliminary Oral Examination for completion of the Nanoscale Science Ph.D. degree:
Normally, within 2 semesters of passing the preliminary written
examination, students in the Nanoscale Science Ph.D. program must take
and pass a preliminary oral examination relevant to a Nanoscale Science track.
Successful completion of the preliminary oral examination is determined
by a five-member oral examination committee. This committee consists of
at least three members of the CNSE faculty (including the student's
advisor who serves as chair) and at least one outside member (University
at Albany faculty outside CNSE, or CNSE research partner). Upon passing
this examination the student advances to candidacy for the Nanoscale
Science Ph.D.
5. Submission and successful defense of a formal Ph.D. Dissertation:
Within one semester of passing the preliminary oral examination, the
candidate must submit to his or her Ph.D. dissertation committee a
proposal outlining an original Nanoscale Science research project
constituting a Ph.D. dissertation. The candidate must describe the
motivation and background for the dissertation; the critical milestones
for completing relevant research tasks; and a statement of work
outlining a specific research plan. The five-person Ph.D. dissertation
committee consists of at least three members of the CNSE faculty
(including the candidate's advisor) and at least one outside member
(University at Albany faculty outside the CNSE, or a CNSE research
partner).
Upon timely completion of the Ph.D. dissertation research project the
candidate prepares a dissertation and submits the final draft to the
dissertation committee. The committee ascertains the suitability of the
draft and recommends amendments which the candidate must complete before
the final defense is scheduled. Once approved by the committee,
permission is granted for the candidate to present and defend his
dissertation in a public seminar.
6. Ph.D. Publication Requirement:
For successful completion of the Ph.D. degree requirements, students
are also required to be the first author on a minimum of two scientific
publications that have already been accepted for publication in
recognized peer-reviewed technical journals that are related to their
concentration area.
Requirements of the Ph.D. in Nanoscale Engineering *
1. Students admitted with an appropriate Bachelor's degree shall
complete 60 credit hours of academic coursework in partial fulfillment
of the Ph.D. degree requirements.
1a. Thirty-six (36) credit hours CNSE coursework at the 500 level or higher with the following provisions:
1.a.i. Completion of the 12 credit-hour (four-course) "Foundations of Nanotechnology" sequence.
1.a.ii. Completion of at least 9 credit hours of 600 or higher level coursework as advised relevant to a CNSE Nanoscale Engineering track.
1b. Nine (9) credit hours of seminar/external courses.
1c. Fifteen (15) credit hours of Ph.D. dissertation research.
2. Students admitted with an appropriate Masters degree shall complete
36 credit hours of academic coursework in partial fulfillment of the
Ph.D. degree requirements.
2.a. Fifteen (15) credit hours CNSE coursework at the 500 level or higher with the following provisions:
2.a.i. Completion of "Foundations of Nanotechnology"
course sequence for which the student did not receive course
equivalency upon matriculation into the Nanoscale Engineering Ph.D.
program.
2.a.ii. Completion of at least 6 credit hours of 600 or higher level coursework as advised relevant to a CNSE Nanoscale Engineering track.
2.b. Six (6) credit hours of seminar/external courses.
2.c. Fifteen (15) credit hours of Ph.D. dissertation research.
3. Preliminary Written Examination for Formal Admission to the Nanoscale Engineering Ph.D. program:
Admission to the Nanoscale Engineering Ph.D. program requires
successful completion of a preliminary written examination covering
fundamental topics in Nanoscale Engineering. The exam will be offered
yearly and must be passed within two attempts to maintain academic
standing in the Nanoscale Engineering Ph.D. program.
4. Preliminary Oral Examination for completion of the Nanoscale Engineering Ph.D. degree:
Normally, within 2 semesters of passing the preliminary written
examination, students in the Nanoscale Engineering Ph.D. program must
take and pass a preliminary oral examination relevant to a Nanoscale Engineering track.
Successful completion of the preliminary oral examination is determined
by a five-member oral examination committee. This committee consists of
at least three members of the CNSE faculty (including the student's
advisor who serves as chair) and at least one outside member (University
at Albany faculty outside CNSE, or CNSE research partner). Upon passing
this examination the student advances to candidacy for the Nanoscale
Engineering Ph.D.
5. Submission and successful defense of a formal Ph.D. Dissertation:
Within one semester of passing the preliminary oral examination, the
candidate must submit to his or her Ph.D. dissertation committee a
proposal outlining an original Nanoscale Engineering research project
constituting a Ph.D. dissertation. The candidate must describe the
motivation and background for the dissertation; the critical milestones
for completing relevant research tasks; and a statement of work
outlining a specific research plan. The five-person Ph.D. dissertation
committee consists of at least three members of the CNSE faculty
(including the candidate's advisor) and at least one outside member
(University at Albany faculty outside the CNSE, or a CNSE research
partner).
Upon timely completion of the Ph.D. dissertation research project the
candidate prepares a dissertation and submits the final draft to the
dissertation committee. The committee ascertains the suitability of the
draft and recommends amendments which the candidate must complete before
the final defense is scheduled. Once approved by the committee,
permission is granted for the candidate to present and defend his
dissertation in a public seminar.
6. Ph.D. Publication Requirement:
For successful completion of the Ph.D. degree requirements, students
are also required to be the first author on a minimum of two scientific
publications that have already been accepted for publication in
recognized peer-reviewed technical journals that are related to their
concentration area.
* The Ph.D. in Nanoscale Engineering does not lead to New York State
licensure for practicing engineers in civil construction, surveying or
the trades.