Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

The Master's programme in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at the University of Siegen is a two-year 120 ECTS English-language degree programme offered to national and international students. It focuses on modern aspects of the science and technology of nanoscopic systems, ranging from basic knowledge to applications and devices. It consists of a set of lectures, seminars, and lab courses followed by a project in a research group, culminating in the Master's thesis. The Master's programme is designed to bridge the departments of Physics, Chemistry, and Electrical Engineering, which together cover the entire spectrum of nanoscience and nanotechnology in Siegen.  The aim of the programme is (a) to impart current knowledge in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology and (b) to impart the ability to successfully apply this knowledge to new problems. To this end, in-depth scientific skills are acquired, including communication skills that allow students to work independently in scientific fields beyond the traditional subject boundaries, to develop, evaluate, and use new methods. The course of studies prepares students for future tasks in the scientific and technical environment. The technical and methodological knowledge should enable them to act responsibly in their profession towards society and the environment. The training therefore combines theory-based, reflective teaching content and practice-oriented aspects. This enables them to work in an interdisciplinary, methodical manner and meets the requirement for a creative scientific qualification. The consecutive Master's degree programme in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is designed to provide a professional qualification for the career of a scientist in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology and basically to prepare for independent work as part of a doctorate in one of the sub-disciplines of physics, chemistry, engineering and in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The aim of this degree programme is to train managers for industry, business and public authorities as well as young academics. In the first semester, there will be three different tracks, depending on the students' Bachelor's degree. Allocation of students to one of the course tracks will be made by the examination board. In this way, the students will acquire the fundamentals of the respective other disciplines in nanoscience and nanotechnology. In the first semester, a seminar will be held in the field of nanoscience research; this seminar will also address important global aspects, such as safe handling of nanotechnology ("nanosafety"). In the second semester, there will be compulsory courses in Nanochemistry, Physics of Nanoelectronic Devices, and the lab courses Micro and Nanotechnology, and Nanosynthesis, Nanosafety and Nanoanalytics, which will cover the experimental methods of nanoscience (including nanotoxicology) in Siegen. In the third semester, there will be the compulsory course Photonics Devices. Moreover, students will have the opportunity to choose from a wide list of compulsory elective courses while doing an internship to prepare for the Master's thesis in a research group. In the fourth semester, the Master's thesis can be undertaken at the University of Siegen or externally.