Integration of nanoscale science and technology into undergraduate curricula

CHED 87

Suri S. Iyer, iyersi@email.uc.edu, Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, 404 Crosley, Cincinnati, OH 45221, John Bickle, john.bickle@uc.edu, Department of Philosophy, University of Cincinnati, McMicken 206B, P. O. Box 210374, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, Thomas Mantei, thomas.mantei@uc.edu, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Rhodes 896, Cincinnati, OH 45221, Ian Papautsky, Ian.Papautsky@uc.edu, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Cincinnati, 814 Rhodes Hall, Cincinnati, OH 45221, Mark Schulz, mark.schulz@uc.edu, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Rhodes 408 B, Cincinnati, OH 45221, Vesselin Shanov, vesselin.shanov@uc.edu, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cincinnati, ERC 578, Cincinnati, OH 45221, Leigh Smith, leigh.smith@uc.edu, Department of Physics, University of Cincinnati, Geo-Phys 424, Cincinnati, OH 45221, and Andrew Steckl, a.steckl@uc.edu, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science, University of Cincinnati, Rhodes 899, Cincinnati, OH 45221.
An interdisciplinary group at the University of Cincinnati was recently awarded an NSF Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education grant, "Integration of Nanoscale Science and Engineering into Undergraduate Curricula. NSF 0532495, PI: Thomas Mantei" The overall goal of this project is to incorporate nanotechnology education into undergraduate curricula in the Colleges of Engineering and Arts & Sciences. The faculty come from Engineering (Electrical, Materials, Mechanical), Physics, Chemistry, and Philosophy departments to teach a lecture course in the Winter quarter followed by a laboratory course in the Spring quarter. The lectures provided an overview of nanoscale science and engineering, with applications in nanomaterials, nanophotonics, nanoelectronics, nanomechanics, and bionanosystems. We also include lectures on the societal and ethical implications of the nanoscale. The laboratory modules give students hands-on experience, including synthesis of nanoparticles and nanotubes and subsequent characterization with multiple stations of atomic force microscopes and laser spectrometers. Overall, we found that students (and faculty) at all academic levels were enthusiastic when learning about nanotechnology. The hands-on learning, such as assembling nanotube models and performing experiments greatly helped students to grasp the fundamental aspects of this interdisciplinary area. We will discuss the material taught in the two courses and student reaction to the highly interdisciplinary team teaching of nanotechnology.
 

Nanotechnology in Undergraduate Education
1:30 PM-4:35 PM, Sunday, March 25, 2007 McCormick Place North -- Room N227B, Level 2, Oral

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007