WVU Offers Nanosystems Emphasis for Science, Engineering Majors
National Science Foundation Funds
WVNano Program
WVU was recently awarded a grant from NSF on Nanoscale Undergraduate Education with a starting date of January 1, 2008. The award is to develop a University-wide emphasis area on Nanoscale Science and Engineering targeting students from the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Each program can join in by adopting the emphasis as a path for their students if they so choose.
This notice is sent to alert the CEMR faculty of an additional educational opportunity for students in the STEM disciplines.
The ‘Nanosystems Emphasis’ has the following structure:
- Introduction to Nanotechnology (offered in S07 as ENGR 493E) to be offered again in Spring 08. 3 credit hours
- Sophomore Seminar. 1 credit hour
- Two Junior Seminars. 1 credit hour each
- Nanosystems Research Capstone Project. Senior year 3 credit hours
As required for an emphasis area, students will have to take 9 credit hours as explained above. The capstone project can be the same as the senior thesis for Honors students or the capstone projects for other students if the student’s degree program allows for such flexibility. However, the capstone project for the emphasis area has to be based on authentic interdisciplinary research in nanosystems conducted in a lab that is externally funded and has a track record in interdisciplinary research projects. As part of this effort and in order to launch the program there are funds available to subsidize the students’ compensation but the intent is for faculty to carry this on. A list of faculty interested in participating is shown below, although other faculty can join this effort:
Faculty |
Department |
Undergrads since 2004 |
Student Capacity for Emphasis |
Funded Interdis. Projects |
Jackson, K. |
Women’s Studies |
0 |
2 |
1 |
Foran, C |
Biology |
8 |
2 |
2 |
Carroll, L. |
Chemistry |
1 |
2 |
3 |
Holland, L. |
Chemistry |
16 |
2 |
3 |
Korakakis, D |
LDCSEE |
16 |
4 |
4 |
Famouri, P. |
LDCSEE |
6 |
1 |
2 |
Cao, A. |
LDCSEE |
started in 06 |
1 |
0 |
Gupta, R. |
ChE |
6 |
2 |
4 |
Stinespring, C |
ChE |
6 |
2 |
3 |
Wu, N. |
MAE |
3 |
2 |
4 |
Cairns, D |
MAE |
4 |
4 |
3 |
Lederman, D |
Physics |
10 |
2 |
4 |
Lewis, J |
Physics |
20 |
5 |
5 |
Urazhdin, S |
Physics |
2 |
1 |
2 |
Gannett, P |
HSC |
5 |
2 |
6 |
Establishing an emphasis area at WVU requires approval by the undergraduate committees of each department. Given the time constraints, i.e. the starting date of the grant and the registration dates that are approaching, it is intended to offer the classes that were proposed and in parallel work with the departments so that the emphasis area is officially established in the next few months.
For further details please contact:
Dimitris Korakakis, CSEE, 304 293 9697
Kasi Jackson, Women’s Studies,304 293 2339 x1154
Robin Hensel, Freshman Engineering, 304 293 0395
886 Chestnut Ridge Road
P.O. Box 6223
Morgantown, WV 26506-6223
