Nanotechnology Exposure in a First-Year Engineering Program

ABSTRACT: The estimated demand for nanotechnology workers presents a special challenge and opportunity to restructure teaching and curricula at all levels to include nanotechnology concepts and nurture the scientific and technical workforce of the 21st century. A new generation of skilled scientific workers must be educated and trained with a multidisciplinary perspective to participate in the rapid advances in nanotechnology. The interdisciplinary nature of nanoscale science and engineering provides new opportunities for interdisciplinary course and curriculum development. Of particular interest are the advances in nanotechnology research that provide new opportunities in undergraduate education including course and curriculum development. To date, graduate and senior level courses have been the primary focus for nano-education development and little attention has been given to lower division engineering students