The master's programme Nanotechnology at Chalmers is based on both physics and chemistry and will give you a thorough and advanced knowledge of the nanoscale system properties and hands-on experience in experimental techniques, for example how to build a quantum computer. You will also have the unique opportunity to work in world-class facilities such as our cleanroom.
Nanotechnology master's programme at Chalmers
The master’s programme in Nanotechnology is tailored towards you who are aiming at international careers in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology, both in fundamental nanoscience and in the design and creation of components on the nanoscale.
Future applications within electronics, telecommunication, and information systems, including quantum computers, medicine, and natural or artificial biosystems build upon progress in nanoscale technologies. On the nanoscale, new physical, chemical, and biological properties become important, and research often takes place on the borders between these disciplines. Proficiency in theoretical and practical aspects of these fields will be important both within industry and academia.
Besides equipping you with a solid theoretical background in physics, chemistry, and technology of nanoscale systems, the programme will also provide you with knowledge of the innovative possibilities of nanotechnology and ample hands-on experience in experimental techniques.
As a unique feature of the programme, you will become part of the research at Chalmers and have access to our cleanroom and other world-class facilities for labs and group projects. This means that you will have the opportunity to learn how to make superconducting quantum circuits, in close collaboration with researchers building the Swedish quantum computer in
Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WACQT). The new specialization profile in quantum engineering that starts in autumn 2022 is developed in close collaboration with the research effort to build a superconducting quantum computer at Chalmers.
Our cleanroom is one of the few cleanrooms worldwide where master's students can carry out their projects. You will also be introduced to other modern laboratories for both manufacturing and analysis already during your first year. You will have the possibility to continue working in the laboratories as part of your master's thesis.
Science on the nanoscale is typically carried out either in a “bottom-up” approach, where functional nanostructures are built starting from molecules or in a “top-down” approach by nanostructuring of bulk materials and using thin films. The core curriculum consists of a handful of compulsory courses that create a solid basis for both approaches. The programme also includes several semi-compulsory courses, creating several possible tracks within the program, as well as a number of courses that can be chosen to provide you with a deeper knowledge of your choice of an area within nanotechnology. The conclusion of the programme consists of a thesis based on a half-or full-year research work carried out with some of the researchers in the area, either within our departments or with industrial partners.
Topics covered
The subjects of physics, biology, chemistry, and technology of nanoscale systems are fundamental areas in the Nanotechnology master’s programme. The courses included in the programme plan handle topics such as nanomaterials chemistry, quantum technology and superconductivity.
Master's programme structure
The master's programme runs for two years, leading to a Master of Science (MSc) degree. During each year, students can earn 60 credits (ECTS) and complete the programme by accumulating a total of 120 credits. Credits are earned by completing courses where each course is usually 7.5 credits. The programme consists of compulsory courses, compulsory elective courses, and elective courses.
Compulsory courses year 1
During the first year, the programme starts with four compulsory courses that form a common foundation in Nanotechnology. Each course is usually 7.5 credits.
- Quantum engineering
- Nanomaterials chemistry
- Fundamentals of micro-and nanotechnology
- Nanoscience
Compulsory courses year 2
In the second year, you must complete a master's thesis to graduate. The thesis may be worth 30 credits or 60 credits depending on your choice.
Compulsory elective courses
Through compulsory elective courses, you can specialize in chemistry and biochemistry, quantum engineering, fabrication technology for nanosystems or a combination thereof. During years 1 and 2, you need to select at least four compulsory elective courses to graduate.
Profile – Chemistry and biochemistry
- The synthesis, properties, and structure of solid-state materials
- Surface chemistry
- Polymer chemistry & physics
- Biomaterials
- Biophysical chemistry
- Bioanalytical chemistry
- Advanced organic chemistry
- Surface engineering
Profile – Quantum engineering (New profile - starts autumn 2022)
- Molecular electronics
- Quantum computing
- Superconducting devices
- Open quantum systems
- Quantum optics and information
- Superconducting devices: fundamentals and applications
- Superconductivity and low-temperature physics
Profile – Fabrication technology for nanosystems
- Design and analysis of experiments
- Semiconductive devices for modern electronics
- Science, innovation, and entrepreneurship
- Spectroscopy
- Millimeter-wave and THz-technology
- Liquid crystals
- Semiconductor materials physics
- Modelling & fabrication of micro-and nanodevices
- Graphene science and technology
Elective courses
You will also be able to select courses outside of your programme plan. These are called elective courses. You can choose from a wide range of elective courses.
Career
With a master’s degree in Nanotechnology, you will play a key role in tomorrow’s frontier of nano-innovation in industry or academia. Careers in nanotechnology are motivated by the broad interdisciplinary knowledge about how to control matter down to an atomic scale. Your skills to design new materials and devices with applications in energy production, medicine, and electronics means a constant demand for your knowledge in society.
A career in nanotechnology would, for instance, mean that you will be working with various nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are effective for the drug delivery and detection of diseases at early stages, creating job opportunities in medicine. You might even find a position where you can address the public concerns regarding the environmental impact of nanomaterials and their possible toxicity.
Other potential jobs require technologies to create nm-sized electronic devices involving deep knowledge of thin-film deposition techniques, micro-electro-mechanical systems, electron microscopy and lithography. There are careers related to the size-dependent properties such as quantum confinement in nanoparticles and devices, resulting in new functionalities and effects. Finally, you can also dedicate yourself to one of the greatest present-day challenges - building a quantum computer.
Listed below are some examples of positions held by our graduates:
- head of industrial R&D department
- research engineer
- consultant
- academic positions
Research within Nanotechnology
The master's programme has a visible connection to frontline research and many course projects are embedded in actual research projects. Nano research at Chalmers has a strong infrastructure with advanced laboratories and cleanroom facilities, which support a broad spectrum of activities involving over 150 researchers. Our industrial collaboration is well established and we have successfully launched several spin-off companies. The connection to one of Chalmers' Areas of Advance, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, further enables interdisciplinary collaboration within Chalmers and reinforces collaboration with academia, industry and society throughout the world.
The research conducted comprises three profile areas:
- Nanophysics research, with a top-down perspective, includes studies of engineered nanosystems such as quantum computers, nanoelectronics and spintronics, applications and fundamental science of carbon nanotubes and graphene, nanosensors for bioanalytics and measurement technologies, and nano-optics with applications in, e.g. efficient solar energy production.
- Nanochemistry, with a bottom-up focus, targets the ultimate miniaturization of electronics and photonics, molecular electronics, and the development of molecular methods to create nanodevices.
- The Nanobiophysics activity forms a bridge between the other two and focuses on nanofluidics, soft matter nanotechnology, DNA-based self-assembly and biomimetic material science.
Besides the cleanroom, our research environment includes a number of research groups, involved in research in a wide range of nanoscience areas, such as quantum information processing with superconducting circuits, quantum device fabrication and characterization, oxide electronics, bottom-up studies of DNA and photochromic molecules, atomic-scale materials computations, and transport phenomena in nanostructures. Further, the European Commission has chosen Chalmers to coordinate the Graphene project, one of the EU’s first FET flagships.
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Admissions academic year 2023/24
Application
General entry requirements
An applicant must either have a Bachelor's degree in Science/Engineering/Technology/Architecture or be enrolled in his/her last year of studies leading to such a degree.
Specific entry requirements
Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with the main field of study: Engineering Physics, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Bioengineering or Electrical Engineering
Prerequisites: Mathematics (at least 30 credits), Basic quantum physics or Physical chemistry (at least 3 credits)
Preferable course experience: Experience with software for numerical computation, for example Matlab, Octave or Python (ie. Spyder IDE)
English language requirements
Chalmers Bachelor’s degree
Are you enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree programme at Chalmers now or do you already have a Bachelor’s degree from Chalmers? If so, different application dates and application instructions apply.
Important links
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Basic facts
Degree: Master of Science (MSc)
Credits: 120
Duration: 2 years
Level: Second Cycle, Master's
Rate of study: Full-time, 100%
Instructional time: Daytime
Language of instruction: English
Teaching form: On-campus (Location: campus Johanneberg)
Tuition fee: 160 000 SEK/academic year
*EU/EEA Citizens are
not required to pay fees
Contact
Questions about the application:
Chalmers Admissions, admissions@chalmers.se
Specific questions about the programme:
For questions of students more inclined towards Physics: Avgust Yurgens, Director of master's programme.
For questions of students more inclined towards Chemistry: Joakim Andreasson
Other master's programmes that might interest you
Student interview
“The cleanroom here is outstanding”
Sarah Zulfa Khairunnisa, Indonesia, Nanotechnology
Why did you choose this programme?–I have a background in physics and chose this programme because I wanted to do a lot of experimental work in the cleanroom that is available for master students here at Chalmers. I had also heard that Chalmers coordinates The Graphene Flagship (Link), which is the EU’s biggest research initiative.
What have you been working on?
– A group project I had was about the fabrication of material, including its characterization processes. We had several sessions in the cleanroom before the material was materialized. There is a lot of trial and error during this process. After we finish the experimental part, we wrote a report, made a poster for a mini-exhibition and gave a presentation to the class.
What do you like the most about your programme?
–The advanced facilities we get to use here at Chalmers and that I get to work with people from different backgrounds. Some have studied physics, others come from a background in chemistry or electrical engineering and it’s challenging and interesting to learn from each other.
What do you want to do in the future?
– My plan is to continue as a researcher and apply for a PhD-position. I am especially interested in 2D-materials that can be used in the electronic devices of the future.