Nanoscience Technology

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Overview

Outcomes

Bring Nanotechnology into your classroom

A combination of online and hands-on lab experiences will provide you with the background, activities, experiments, pedagogical context and assessment materials to easily integrate nanoscience into traditional science courses at multiple grade levels.

Register to bring Nanotechnology into your classroom

ASSETS Scholarships

DCTC is offering 15 $8,000 scholarships a year over the course of four years to eligible students enrolling or already enrolled this program.

Apply for an ASSETS Scholarships

Major Description

This program prepares students for careers in nanobiotech, nanomaterials and nanoelectronics industries. The program also provides a strong foundation applicable to environmental, energy and agricultural industries. The curriculum is a combination of classroom and laboratory experiences, with hands on use of nanoscale equipment in all 4 semesters. Students have several opportunities for individual research and exploration of nanoscale concepts. Offered in partnership with the University of Minnesota, the program provides skills and knowledge required for employment in a large number of companies. The DCTC program also provides a starting point to four year degrees at multiple institutions in many degree programs. Processes of scientific inquiry, experiment and research design, critical thinking, and communication are aspects that are woven into each course.

Work Environment

Nanoscience technologists work in multiple business environments including research, production, testing, training and marketing. Often this role is a bridge between scientists, engineers and other technicians. Program graduates may work independently in some aspects but most often are part of a team. Your job will not be a desk job and will likely include sample creation and testing, documentation and analysis and communication of your results. These technologists do not usually do the same thing for many months at a time. Finally, time will be spent in a combination of different type of lab environments. The options and work environments are varied and expanding with the U.S. nanotech market expected to mushroom to 1 trillion $ by 2015.

Potential Job Titles

  • Nanotechnologist
  • Nanobiotech Research Assistant
  • Nanoscale Fabrication Technician
  • Nanomaterials Research Associate
  • Research Assistant
  • Lab Technician
  • Chemical Technician
  • Quality Control Technician
  • Manufacturing Technician

Salary Data

  • Average Salary (Global): $49,687/year
    (cbsalary.com)

Nano-Link

The National Science Foundation awarded Dakota County Technical College a $3 million grant to develop the Midwest Regional Center for Nanotechnology Education, or Nano-Link.

Nano-Link

Situated on DCTC's Rosemount campus, Nano-Link will work to create a skilled workforce of nanotechnologists to enhance economic growth in nanoscale science and technology. The center builds on the success of DCTC's pioneering Nanoscience Technology program, which was established in partnership with the University of Minnesota to prepare graduates for employment in the abundant array of industries where nanoscience applications are rapidly emerging.

Powerpoints

Academic Advisors

Dean

  • Mike Opp
    Dean of Transportation and Technical Careers

Instructors

Deb Newberry 651-423-8328 deb.newberry@dctc.edu BIO

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