What is the Best Major(s) to prepare me for nanotechnology in grad school?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the best undergraduate majors to prepare for graduate studies in nanotechnology, particularly in relation to its applications in fighting diseases and genetic disorders. Participants explore the balance between science and engineering in the field of nanotechnology and consider various academic pathways.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to pursue a double major in biochemistry and mechanical engineering or biophysics and civil engineering, seeking a multidisciplinary approach to nanotechnology.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of strong chemistry knowledge for entering the field of nanotechnology.
  • A question is raised about whether nanotechnology is primarily chemistry-based.
  • It is suggested that knowledge of physics is also beneficial, and starting with broad degrees like chemistry, physics, or mathematics may be advantageous.
  • Participants mention that nanotechnology can also be approached from electrical or materials engineering perspectives.
  • One participant notes that most nano classes at their school are offered through chemistry and material science departments, implying a strong connection between these fields and nanotechnology.
  • A request for information about materials science and its relevance to chemistry and nanotechnology is made.
  • Another participant shares that individuals in the nanotechnology field come from diverse backgrounds, including physics, material science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, and bioengineering.
  • A participant mentions their thermodynamics professor, who studies nanomaterials and is a physicist, indicating that non-engineering backgrounds can also lead to careers in nanotechnology.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the importance of different scientific disciplines for a career in nanotechnology, with no consensus on a single best major or approach. Multiple competing views regarding the balance of science and engineering in nanotechnology remain present.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the lack of clarity on how much of nanotechnology is currently considered science versus engineering, and the specific requirements for graduate programs in this field are not detailed.

egregious1
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Since I am about to start college, and I already know I want to go to grad school for nanotechnology, and I was wondering which major(s) I should take in college. I want to use nanoscience to fight diseases and cancers, and hopefully to stop genetic disorders. Initially I wanted to go into mechanical engineering/robotics because I love technology and robots, but then I have always had a love for science as well, and trying to cure diseases, succeeding where others have failed, at least that I know of. I feel that nanotechnology is a happy medium of science and engineering. I want that balance. But since we have no nanobots, is nanotech more science right now? I originally was planning on double majoring in biochem and ME, or biophysics and CE, because I wanted to be able to look at problems in the future with more than just one perspective. Instead of just a bio major, or chem major, I thought biochem would be a good major, and also a second major in engineering. Biomolecular nanotechnology is what I was looking at, but I just have no idea on how much of nanotechnology is science, and how much is engineering right now, and which majors would give me a solid foundation for grad school nanoscience. Any ideas or suggestions?
 
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You need to be really good in Chemistry in order for you to get into the field of Nanotechnology.
 
Is that it? Is it mostly chemistry based?
 
Some knowledge of physics certainly wouldn't hurt either. Also, it's best to start broad and then concentrate later when you really know that nanotechnology is what you want to do. So yes, broad degrees like chemistry and physics or perhaps math would be good places to start.
 
You can enter nanotechnology from electrical or materials engineering too.
 
Most nano classes at my school are offered under the chemistry and material science departments. Given that, I would assume you need a lot of chemistry and material science.
 
Can you tell me about materials science? And how it applies to chem/nanotech?
 
I have met people who have the following backgrounds in the nanotechnology field:

Physics
Material Science
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
Chemistry

and I assume from the above, Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering (due to similarities with the above fields)
 
  • #10
My thermodynamics professor actually studies nanomaterials, and he is actually not a mechanical engineer, he is a physicist. The other fields mentioned above are the backgrounds of other professors at my school who are studying nanotechnology/nanomaterials
 

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