This interdisciplinary research program at the University of Waterloo is the focal point for graduate teaching and research in MSc and PhD programs in Nanotechnology. The program, jointly offered by three departments in the Faculty of Science and four in the Faculty of Engineering, provide students with a stimulating educational environment that spans from basic research through to application. The goal of the collaborative program is to allow students to gain perspectives on nanotechnology from a wide community of scholars within and outside their disciplines in both course and thesis work.
The MSc collaborative program provides a strong foundation in the emerging areas of nano-science in preparation for the workforce or for further graduate study and research leading to a doctoral degree. Four key areas of research strengths have been identified: nanomaterials, nano-electronics design and fabrication, nano-instruments and devices, and nano-biosystems. The objective of the PhD program is to prepare students for careers in academia, industrial R & D and government research labs.
MSc Program
Admission Requirements
MSc students in the collaborative program in nanotechnology must meet the MSc admission requirements of the participating department in which they are enrolled. The minimum academic requirement for admission to the GWC2 MSc program is an honours bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) in Science from a recognized university with a second-class (B) standing. Strong emphasis is also placed on the letters of recommendation received in support of the student’s application. Students from foreign countries where English is not the language of instruction are also required to prove their proficiency in English.
Degree Requirements
GWC2 MSc students in the collaborative program in nanotechnology must complete 4 half credit courses (0.50 unit weight) including NANO 600 Introduction to Nanotechnology, 1 required nanotechnology core course, CHEM 784 Foundations of Literature Review and CHEM 794 Master’s Seminar. Students who have completed their Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) degree in Nanotechnology Engineering at the University of Waterloo can not take NANO 600 Introduction to Nanotechnology. Instead, they can choose any 1 course from the list of nanotechnology core courses
PhD Program
Admission Requirements
PhD students in the collaborative program in nanotechnology must meet the PhD admission requirements of the participating department in which they are enrolled. The minimum academic requirements for the GWC2 normally consists of a Master’s degree in Science from a recognized university with a second-class (B) standing. Strong emphasis is also placed on the letters of recommendation received in support of the student’s application. Students from foreign countries where English is not the language of instruction are also required to prove their proficiency in English.
Degree Requirements
GWC2 PhD students in the collaborative program in nanotechnology must complete 3 half credit core courses (0.50 unit weight) including NANO 600 Introduction to Nanotechnology, 1 Nanotechnology core course and 1 elective graduate level CHEM course (0.50 unit weight). Students who have completed their Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) degree in Nanotechnology Engineering or a Master’s degree in Nanotechnology at the University of Waterloo can not take NANO 600 Introduction to Nanotechnology. Instead they can choose any 1 course from the list of nanotechnology core courses.
PhD Direct from BSc Program
Admission Requirements
PhD Direct from BSc students in the collaborative program in nanotechnology must meet the PhD admission requirements of the participating department in which they are enrolled. The minimum academic requirements for the GWC2 is possible for outstanding students who graduated with an overall ‘A’ standing at the undergraduate level. Strong emphasis is also placed on the letters of recommendation received in support of the student’s application. Students from foreign countries where English is not the language of instruction are also required to prove their proficiency in English.
Degree Requirements
Students admitted with an appropriate Honours Bachelor’s degree who transfer directly to the PhD program must complete 5 half credit courses (0.50 unit weight) including NANO 600 Introduction to Nanotechnology, 1 Nanotechnology core course, CHEM 784 Foundations of Literature Review, CHEM 794 Master’s Seminar, and 1 elective graduate level CHEM course.
PhD Direct from MSc Program
Admission Requirements
Exceptional students currently in the MSc collaborative program in nanotechnology may transfer directly into the PhD program without first completing all of the MSc requirements. The applicant who is applying for direct transfer must have demonstrated a superior academic record both at the undergraduate and graduate level. This will normally mean that the student has a minimum overall B+ average as an undergraduate and has demonstrated a first-class standing with consistently above average performance in at least two graduate courses as well as in the Master’s Seminar. The applicant must have already demonstrated an oral and written communication ability appropriate for a PhD level student. In addition, there must be clear evidence of research productivity and promise. Requests for transfer will be considered for approval by the by the Director/Coordinating Committee at the end of the student’s third or fourth term in the MSc program.
Degree Requirements
Students who transfer directly from a Master’s program to the PhD program must complete 6 half credit courses (0.50 unit weight) including NANO 600 Introduction to Nanotechnology, 1 Nanotechnology core course, CHEM 784 Foundations of Literature Review, CHEM 794 Master’s Seminar, 1 elective course, and 1 graduate level CHEM course
Required Nanotechnology Milestone Description
Nanotechnology Seminar
The nanotechnology seminar is a forum for student presentation of research results or proposals. Speakers from academia and industry will also be invited from time to time. The range of topics that will be addressed in the seminar crosses all areas of nanotechnology research in the collaborative program. To receive this milestone credit, the student is required to present at least one seminar.
Note: Graduate Chemistry students are required to complete Chem 794 MSc Seminar and/or the PhD Seminar and are exempted from the Nanotechnology Seminar milestone. Seminar attendance requirements can be completed by attendance at any combination of Chemistry and Nanotechnology Seminars.
See the Nanotechnology website for more information about the Nanotechnology collaborative programs.
