A Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Program at the University of North Dakota

TL;DR

This paper reports on the development and assessment of a multidisciplinary undergraduate nanoscience program at the University of North Dakota, aiming to foster student interest and prepare graduates for the nanotechnology field.

Contribution

It introduces a new undergraduate nanoscience curriculum and analyzes student motivations to inform course design and improve nanotechnology education.

Findings

Students showed increased interest in nanotechnology.

Survey data will guide curriculum improvements.

Interdisciplinary coursework enhances student engagement.

Abstract

This paper describes some of the results of a National Science Foundation Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education project that aims to establish a nanoscience and nanotechnology program at the University of North Dakota. The goal is to generate new interest in nanoscience and nanotechnology among engineering and science students and prepare them with the knowledge and skills necessary for the next generation of graduates to compete in the global market and contribute to the nanoscience and nanotechnology field. The project explored several aspects of student learning, including students motivations for investigating nanotechnology through interdisciplinary coursework. To collect this information, a survey was administered to students who enrolled to two nanoscience and nanotechnology courses. Data collected from the survey will be used to improve the design and delivery of future courses as part of constructing a complete nanoscience and nanotechnology curriculum.