The University of British Columbia

The Nanotechnology and Microsystems Option helps prepare students for the new age of electronics in which chips integrate mechanical, fluidic, biological and optical components, and where nanometer scale features are forcing changes in the design of transistors and other basic circuit elements. Students in the option receive hands-on experience through laboratory and project work which complements theory. The Nanotechnology and Microsystems option is not a nanotechnology degree, but rather is aimed at exposing electrical engineers to important scientific and technological concepts that are changing the natures of electronics, computing and sensing.

Watch the co-founder of the Nanotechnology and Microsystems Option, Dr. John Madden, introduce the Option in his own words in general.

And now watch him talk about this in more detail.

Where does this option lead?

You will learn about quantum mechanics, sensor theory, thermodynamics and mechanics that are not normally taught in electrical engineering. These concepts are applied to the understanding of devices and systems. You can also take courses on chip design, optical devices, microelectromechanical systems, transistors and biological nanotechnology as part of the option. Laboratory and project courses provide hands-on experience. Option graduates receive instruction in traditional areas of electrical engineering including circuits, controls, digital systems, communications and power. In addition you will learn about the science and technology that lies behind current and future generations of electronic, optical and miniature mechanical systems.

Nanotechnology is an incredibly broad field that overlaps with chemistry, physics, biology and materials science, and impacts virtually every field of science and engineering. The nanotechnologies of primary interest in this option are current and future devices used in integrated electronic circuits. The particular technology that will be employed in the long term is not clear yet, but what is certain is that quantum mechanical effects are already important and will soon dominate behaviour as device sizes are reduced. Graduates of the Nanotechnology and Microsystems Option use atomic properties to describe nanometer and micrometer sized devices (e.g. transistors) that are often components of millimeter scale systems.

What you will get!

Students who satisfactorily complete the following program will be awarded a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering (Nanotechnology and Microsystems Option).

When to apply?

Students interested in the Nanotechnology and Microsystems Option should apply at the end of Second Year Engineering. Both Co-op and Non Co-op students are welcome to apply. Applications will be accepted online starting mid-February.

Option Curriculum

The Nanotechnology and Microsystems Option commences in Third Year. Prior to the Option students are to complete the Second Year curriculum under the Electrical Engineering Program. Students are required to complete the following curriculum: 

Third Year - Students in the Co-op Program are to follow the schedule provided here.

Fourth Year

Electives

In the Nanotechnology and Microsystems Option Technical Electives are broken into two groups. Out of the 15 required credits 6 are to come from the Technical Electives list.

The remaining 9 credits are to be selected from the courses below: