Physics Choosing subjects for a career in nanotechnology/nanoscience

[Keith Gellar]

Hi all,
I am looking at a university's undergraduate science program and trying to decide on which subjects would be suited for a career in nanotechnology.

I've spoken to a counselor but she was not able to pinpoint exactly which subjects I should take. After a bit of reading and research, I've settled on the chemistry topics, but I'm having trouble picking the physics subjects, primarily because I am not entirely certain whether they are relevant to nanotechnology:

Following are the subjects I cannot decide on:

• Waves and Optics
• Thermal and Statistical Physics
• Nuclear Physics
• Physics of Fluid Flows
• Fourier Systems and Optics
• Advanced Quantum Physics
• Advanced Electromagnetism
• Advanced Classical Mechanics
• Advanced Statistical Mechanics

Thank-you for your time. Please feel free to provide any opinions on the general topic (of trying to work in nanotechnology) as I greatly appreciate any advice.

 

[Nidum]

http://www.nano.gov/education-training/university-college

I don't know much about different US universities so I picked one at random :

http://www.bu.edu/eng/files/2016/08...ology-Concentration-Course-Selections-new.pdf

 

[Nidum]

I just found out that you were from Australia not USA - though that shouldn't really make any difference to the selection of subjects that you need to study .

Not as good as the US site referenced in previous post but some useful information is given here :

http://www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology/degree_country.php?country=Australia

 

[Keith Gellar]

Thank-you Nidum, that US website is quite useful, it has helped me narrow down my subject selection a bit.

A further question: I am looking to study at ANU in Australia next year. They offer a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Engineering (no specialty in materials science/engineering unfortunately).

I am interested in researching novel or current materials and crafting them for use in renewable energy and medicine. Would you consider engineering or science a more suitable option for this purpose?