NANOTECHNOLOGY
PREPARATION FOR TRANSFER AND/OR EMPLOYMENT

This program is designed to provide the student with the essential knowledge and skills to function as a nanotechnology technician in research and/or nanofabrication and also serves as a transfer program to continue one’s education toward the bachelor’s and advanced degrees in the field of nanotechnology.

This program is offered in partnership with The Pennsylvania State University and is designed to transfer to the Penn State “capstone semester” in Nanotechnology at University Park, PA, for program completion. The student will complete 51 credit hours at Allegany College of Maryland and then transfer to Penn State for the capstone semester. The Associate in Science degree will be awarded by Allegany College of Maryland at the successful completion of the Penn State capstone semester. The student can then apply for transfer to a number of four-year colleges/universities to pursue a bachelor’s degree or enter the job market, or both.

Nanotechnology, as defined by the National Nanotechnology Initiative, involves the following:

• Research and technology development at the atomic, molecular, and macromolecular levels, in the length scale of 1 – 100 nanometers.
• Creating and using structures, devices, and systems that have novel properties and functions because of their small and/or intermediate size.
• Ability to control or manipulate on the atomic scale.

A nanometer is (nm) 1-billionth of a meter. A single molecule of sugar is 2 nm across; a human hair is approximately 80,000 nm in diameter; atoms are typically equal to 0.1 to 0.3 nm; most human cells are roughly 20,000 nm across with nuclei about 10,000 nm in diameter. In comparison, if one nanometer equaled the diameter of a penny, a foot would equal the distance from Miami to Seattle. Nanofabrication is machining and assembling at the atomic level. It is used to create materials, devices, and systems with new and unique properties. It is the future of manufacturing.

The student will complete the following coursework before applying for enrollment in the Penn State Capstone Semester:

A student becomes qualified to enter the Penn State capstone semester upon successful completion (at least a C grade-point-average) of the above-listed courses and upon certification of required competencies by Allegany College of Maryland.

The Capstone Semester at Penn State:

In addition, the student is expected to view nanotechnology information DVD's prepared by The Pennsylvania State University. These are available from the student's advisor. Successful completion of this program qualifies a student to apply for an Associate in Science degree in Arts and Sciences from Allegany College of Maryland.