Dakota County Technical College serves over 6000 full time students and offers 2 year and 4 year degrees in over 25 program areas. In 2004 DCTC became the first college in the United States to offer a 2 year multi-disciplinary AAS Degree in NanoScience Technology. The 72 credit curriculum covers areas of electronics, biotech and material science.
In addition to hands-on learning at DCTC and the University of MN, students gain a deep understanding of the concepts that operate at the nanoscale.
NANO1100 Fundamentals of Nanoscience I 3
The course provides an introduction into nanoscience and includes the history of nanotechnology and also an introduction into the tools used to study the world at the nanoscale. This course also covers a sense of scale, exponential notation, surface area to volume ratio, molecular and atomic structure and the various forces that are predominant at various scale levels (macro, micro and nano). Understanding of these concepts is fundamental to learning how nanoscale interactions and phenomena differ from those in our common macroscale world. Societal impacts along with a technology maturity model are also considered as they apply to nanoscience. Finally this first course provides specific study of the application of nanotechnology to biological areas such as the study of proteins, drug interactions, cell operation and ion channels. Sensing systems and newly developed diagnostic tools that are a result of understanding the biological system at the nanoscale are also discussed. Students taking this course should either have successfully completed a college biology course, physics course (first semester) and algebra or be taking these courses concurrently with the 1100 course.
NANO1200 Fundamentals of Nanoscience II 3
The second semester course focuses on the material science, chemistry and physics aspects of the nanoscale. The course begins with the discussion of elemental material attributes and how environment can impact properties and performance of the starting material. Crystal structure and material properties are then discussed with an emphasis on differences in interactions and measurements at various scale realms. Using the current semiconductor fabrication process as a foundation, students are introduced to the concepts and limitations of current photolithography and etching processes. New approaches toward electronic circuits are introduced as students gain an understanding of the current process and necessary operation concepts for today's electronic devices. Finally, the concepts of fluid mechanics, optics, photonics and lasers are discussed with an emphasis on new devices and applications based on nanoscale properties. Students taking this course should either have taken chemistry and the second semester of physics or be enrolled in these courses concurrent with the 1200 course.
NANO1210 Computer Simulation 1
This course will cover the application of computer simulation (modeling) to nanoscale systems. In addition, this course provides a visualization of concepts and interactions covered in NANO1100 and NANO1200. The course will cover applied statistics, design of experiments and impact of input parameter variations for biological and mechanical systems.
NANO2101
Nanoelectronics 3
This course will increase the depth of topics and discussion of those covered in NANO1200. Quantum physics will be reintroduced at a greater depth with coverage of band structure, conduction, diffusion, thin film response and optical properties from a modern physics perspective. Students will study, measure, evaluate and create fabricated structures such as nanowires, cantilevers and nano channels. Application of nanoscale principles will be used to discuss imprint lithography, etching, component block assembly of nanotransistors, quantum computing, magnetic and electron spin memory and holographic memory devices.
NANO2111
Nanobiotechnology/Agriculture 3
This course will increase the depth of topics and discussion of those covered in NANO1100. Students will investigate the potential of nanoscience in multiple biological applications including nanopore, nanoparticle and nanochannel structures, diagnostics and treatment. Emphasis will be placed on interactions between biological and non-biological systems and understanding biochemistry.
NANO2121
Nanomaterials 3
This course will increase the depth of covered topics and discussion of those covered in NANO1100 and NANO1200 courses. Subjects covered include single walled and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (fabrication, property measurement and compound formulation), creation of nanomaterials, particles and crystals by various processes including colloidal suspensions, deposition, evaporation and plating. Properties (hardness, wear resistance, adhesion, conductivity etc.) and measurement techniques of nanomaterials will be covered. Interactions between organic and inorganic materials such as micro array techniques and bacteria molding will be discussed.
NANO2131
Manufacturing Quality Assurance 2
This course will cover multiple manufacturing methodologies (chemical solutions, electro filament, molding, coating, rolling etc.) first in the traditional sense and second as these techniques apply to the nanoscale. Quality Assurance (Six Sigma) practices will be discussed with an emphasis on QA and reliability at the nanoscale. Design of experiments, measurements, approaches, data tracking, process improvement and statistical analysis and reporting will be discussed.
NANO2140
Interdisciplinary Lab 3
This course will cover the experimental aspects of the accompanying third semester nano courses. Thirteen major lab activities and hands-on experience on nanoscale equipment such as SEM, SFM, Nanoindentation, STM and nano-imprinting stations comprise this multi-disciplinary lab experience. Each lab will be a series of creation, measurement, assessment, improvement and rework. This circular understanding and assessment/improvement cycle will be included in the detail lab descriptions.
NANO2151
Career Planning and Industry Tours 1
This course will prepare students for the Nanoscience Technician Program fourth semester at the University of Minnesota and also for the job market upon graduation. Class discussion and guest speakers will advise students in selection of a specific career path, creation of a resume and portfolio, preparation and practice in job interviewing and options for continuing education. The industry tours will provide students with a broad experience of potential jobs and activities related to nanoscience in a variety of industrial settings. Student will spend a total of approximately 20 hours in various industrial settings, visiting 4 to 6 companies from various industries.
NANO2970
Industry Internship & Observation 2
Students will participate in a working internship in an industry location. The minimum requirement is 320 hours of internship but many internships are a year in length. This internship will provide a broad base of application knowledge, hands-on experience and research opportunities which will complement and enhance specific course materials.
