Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, M.Sc.

Overview

The programme offers a broad education covering all aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology, with on the one hand a strong horizontal multidisciplinary core education, in the various underlying disciplines, and on the other hand a more vertical specialisation in one specific subfield of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

• The word Nanoscience refers to the study, manipulation and engineering of matter, particles and structures on the nanometer scale (one millionth of a millimeter, the scale of atoms and molecules). Important properties of materials, such as the electrical, optical, thermal and mechanical properties, are determined by the way molecules and atoms assemble on the nanoscale into larger structures. Moreover, on a nanometer scale, structures’ properties are often different then on a macro scale because quantum mechanical effects become important. 
• Nanotechnology is the application of nanoscience leading to the use of new nanomaterials and nanosize components in useful products. Nanotechnology will eventually provide us with the ability to design custom-made materials and products with new enhanced properties, new nanoelectronic components, new types of ‘smart’ medicines and sensors, and even interfaces between electronics and biological systems.

The objective is to prepare you with the multidisciplinary knowledge and skills to design custom-made materials and products with new enhanced properties - such as new nanoelectronic components, new types of ‘smart’ medicines and sensors, and interfaces between electronics and biological systems.

The programme is truly integrated into the international research community, with a strong analytical backbone and an important international network of research of centres such as imec in Belgium, CEA-LETI in France and Leibniz Institute for Solid State Materials Research in Germany. This strong link between education and research ensures a contemporary program at the cutting edge of state-of-the-art research.

Within the Erasmus Mundus framework, four leading educational institutions in Europe offer a joint Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. The partner institutions are:

• KU Leuven, Belgium 
• Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
• Chalmers, Tekniska Högskola, Sweden
• Université Grenoble Alpes, France
• Technische Universität Dresden, Germany

The Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology programme is delivered by KU Leuven. 

Programme outline

The programme consists of 6 educational modules:

• The fundamental courses introduce you to the essential disciplines of nanoscience and nanotechnology.
• The general interest courses equip you with non-technical skills, in domains such as management, economics, languages, quality management, ethics, psychology, etc.
• The core courses cover the main disciplines of the Master: nanophysics, nanochemistry, nanoelectronics and nanobiochemistry.
• The specific courses allow you to pursue specialisation and deepen your competencies in a specific field.
• The broadening courses are courses from the other options of the Master’s programme, which allow you to broaden your scope beyond your chosen specialisation.

• The Master’s thesis is conducted in close and active contact with a multidisciplinary research environment. The research project always takes place in the second year partner university and is finalised with a written thesis and a public presentation.

Strengths

• A limited number of scholarships for both European and non-European students are funded by the European Commission. There are scholarships funded by the EU-Commission for non-EEA students, the number of grants and the amount of the grant is decided on an annual basis. Besides the scholarships a limited number of tuition fee waivers are also available.
• The programme offers a broad education covering all aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology, with on the one hand a strong horizontal multidisciplinary core education, in the various underlying disciplines, and on the other hand a more vertical specialisation in one specific subfield of nanoscience and nanotechnology.
• The Erasmus Mundus master program is organized by a consortium of university partners selected for their educational and research strengths in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. This ensures a high quality and competitive master program being recognized as one of the best nano educational programs currently available in the world.

Career perspectives

In the coming decades, nanoscience and nanotechnology will undoubtedly become the driving force for a new set of products, systems, and applications. These disciplines are even expected to form the basis for a new industrial revolution.

Within a few years, nanoscience applications are expected to impact virtually every technological sector and ultimately many aspects of our daily life. In the coming five-to-ten years, many new products and companies will emerge based on nanotechnology and nanosciences. These new products will stem from the knowledge developed at the interface of the various scientific disciplines offered in the EMM-Nano programme.

Thus, EMM-Nano graduates will find a wealth of career opportunities in the sectors and industries developing these new technologies: electronics, new and smart materials, chemical technology, biotechnology, R&D, independent consultancies and more. Graduates have an ideal background to become the invaluable interface between these areas and will be able to apply their broad perspective on nanoscience and nanotechnology to the development and creation of new products and even new companies.

Questions about student life in Belgium, life at KU Leuven or more information about a specific course? Chat with our students: www.kuleuven/be/chatwithourstudents.