Specialization in Nanoscience

Students in the interdisciplinary nanoscience specialization can earn a Ph.D. through the Department of Physics. Topics of research in this specialization include design, synthesis, characterization and fabrications of smart nanomaterials and their potential applications, advanced nanoscience theory, and functions and properties of nanofluids.

Students pursuing a graduate specialization in nanoscience complete designated graduate-level courses in a variety of disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach exposes them to diverse physical science and engineering experiences. Successful completion of the specialization will be noted on the student’s transcript.

Since the Institute of Nanoscience, Engineering, and Technology is not a degree-offering unit, all graduate degrees are obtained through the student’s major department, whose requirements must be met. The specialization is administered by the Director of the Institute of Nanoscience, Engineering and Technology with the help of a six-member advisory board. This advisory board is comprised of representatives from the Department of Physics, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, and Argonne National Laboratory. Faculty who regularly teach courses that contribute to the specialization or participate in the core courses come from a variety of departments.

Students interested in pursuing this specialization should apply to the Ph.D. program in physics, indicating their preference for nanoscience specialization. Contact the departmental director of graduate studies to determine the set of courses to be used for the specialization and the director of the INSET for additional information about this program.

This interdisciplinary Ph.D. specialization is supported jointly by Northern Illinois University and Argonne National Laboratory through a Distinguished Fellowship program. Fellows have access to research facilities in Argonne National Laboratory. Also, fellows will usually have limited (one year) undergraduate laboratory teaching responsibilities.

Requirements for Ph.D. in Physics in Interdisciplinary Nanoscience

A student can earn a Ph.D. in physics as part of NIU’s interdisciplinary nanoscience specialization. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of nanoscience, some requirements can be met by courses from disciplines other than physics, including chemistry and mechanical engineering. Students must complete five of six specified core courses in physics (15 semester hours) and 12 semester hours of distribution requirements, including PHYS 580. Other courses approved for the distribution requirements include CHEM 500G, CHEM 541, CHEM 542, MEE 511, MEE 534, MEE 550, MEE 592, PHYS 500, PHYS 566, PHYS 567, PHYS 571, PHYS 668, and PHYS 690A.