Programs Leading to Master's Degrees in Nanoscale Science or Nanoscale Engineering

The M.S. degree programs provide a solid foundation in the emerging interdisciplinary fields of Nanoscale Science and Nanoscale Engineering in preparation for entry into the workforce or for further graduate study and research leading to a doctoral degree. Selected M.S. science and engineering tracks pertain to the nanoelectronic, optoelectronic, optical, nanosystems, energy, and nanobiological fields.

Students accepted into one of the SUNY Poly M.S. degree programs are required to construct a preliminary program of graduate study with the assistance of their academic advisor at the completion of the first year of study. 

Requirements of the M.S. in Nanoscale Science (30 credits)

1. SUNY Poly coursework (18 credits): Six credits as advised relevant to a SUNY Poly Nanoscale Science Track and twelve credits of thesis research (NNSE 699).

2. Completion of courses from the "Foundations of Nanotechnology" course sequence (9 credits)

3. Seminar/External Courses as advised (3 credits)

4. Completion of an original research project that represents a significant scientific contribution to one of the appropriate SUNY Poly CNSE Nanoscale Science tracks that leads to the submission of an acceptable Masters thesis. If the student successfully completes an appropriate portion of the Ph.D. preliminary written examination, a Masters research project report can be substituted for the formal thesis.

Completion of the M.S. research project requirement follows one of two pathways:

• Submission and successful defense of a formal Masters thesis:

  • Within two semesters of matriculation, the student must submit a proposal outlining an original research project constituting a Master's thesis to his or her thesis committee. The candidate must describe the motivation and background for the thesis, the critical milestones for completing the research, and a statement of work outlining a specific research plan.

  • The five-person M.S. thesis committee consists of at least three members of the SUNY Poly faculty (including the candidate's advisor) and at least one outside member (faculty outside SUNY Poly or SUNY Poly research partner). Upon timely completion of the thesis research project, the candidate prepares a thesis and submits the final draft to the thesis committee. The committee ascertains the suitability of the draft and recommends amendments which the candidate must complete before the final defense is scheduled. Once approved by the committee, permission is granted for the candidate to present and defend his or her thesis in a public seminar.

• Submission of a detailed written research report combined with the successful completion of a portion of the Ph.D. written qualifying examination:

  • Within two semesters of matriculation, the student must submit to his or her research advisor a proposal outlining an original research project to be undertaken. The candidate must describe the motivation and background for the proposal, the critical milestones for completing the research, and a statement of work outlining a specific research plan.

  • Upon timely completion of the Masters research project, the candidate prepares a detailed written research report and submits the final draft to the research advisor. The advisor ascertains the suitability of the draft and recommends amendments which the candidate must complete before being recommended for the Masters degree. Students following this pathway must also pass a portion of the Ph.D. written qualifying examination within two attempts.