• UNM Catalog 2022-2023
• >Colleges
• >Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies
• >Nanoscience and Microsystems Engineering
• >Graduate Program

Graduate Program

Degrees Offered

• Master of Science in Nanoscience and Microsystems Engineering (M.S.)
  Concentrations: Complex Functional Materials; Information Nanotechnology; Nano-Bio Interfaces; Professional Science Masters.
• Doctor of Philosophy in Nanoscience and Microsystems Engineering (Ph.D.)
  Concentrations: Complex Functional Materials; Information Nanotechnology; Nano-Bio Interfaces.

The M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs in Nanoscience and Microsystems Engineering prepare individuals for careers in the emerging fields in Nanotechnology and Microsystems. The program is a collaborative effort among several departments in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering, as well as the Anderson School of Management, with numerous cross-listed and team-taught courses. The participating departments are: Biochemistry, Biology, Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Computer Science, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, Mechanical Engineering, and Physics and Astronomy. Students who choose this degree program can continue to be advised by, supported by and conduct research with faculty in these departments. There are numerous courses in these departments that may be of interest as electives (some of which are listed below) for students in the program. Faculty in the Health Sciences Center and the UNM Cancer Research center also participate in the program.

Master of Science in Nanoscience and Microsystems Engineering

M.S. Admission Prerequisites. The general admission requirements described in the Graduate Program section of this Catalog apply to the Nanoscience and Microsystems Engineering program. Applicants who plan to apply to the program must have a bachelor’s degree in a natural science or engineering field. All incoming students should meet a minimum level of competency indicated by passing grade in a math class of MATH **316 or higher. If needed, incoming students who are otherwise qualified may take MATH **316 during their first semester and pass with a grade of "B" or better or by taking and passing an equivalency exam that certifies their mathematical ability.

M.S. Application Process. The general application process for domestic and international students is described in the Graduate Program section of this Catalog. In addition to meeting those requirements, applicants must submit the following for the Admissions Subcommittee review and selection process:

1. Letter of Intent from the applicant about why this program is of interest. (Approximately 250 words stating the rationale and motivation for entering the program.)
2. Three letters of recommendation.
3. Any other materials that are relevant to this application, such as experiential credit.
4. Departmental application, available online.

M.S. Admission and Advising Roles. The Admissions Subcommittee reviews applications and makes admission decisions. Selected applicants are sent a notice of acceptance. Students are encouraged to meet with the program director or program administrator to discuss fellowship opportunities, class enrollment and UNM standard procedures such as the details of becoming a student, obtaining an ID card and procedures for enrolling in classes.

M.S. Faculty Advisor/Mentor. Students are responsible for selecting a faculty mentor who helps them establish a Committee on Studies. The program office aids students in their selection process. Ideally, students and faculty members agree about the advising/mentoring relationship, but for those who need assistance, the Director will request that the Admissions Subcommittee assist in this process.

M.S. Committee on Studies. The student and faculty mentor invite three faculty members to serve on the student’s Committee on Studies. The committee members help the student to plan a Program of Studies–a list of courses that meets the student’s interests and needs which are counted toward the degree. This plan must be approved by the student’s advisor and the Program Director prior to being submitted to Graduate Studies. The Committee also supervises the student’s progress and conducts the required thesis or other exams. If the student subsequently qualifies for entering the doctoral program, this committee can continue in the role of Doctoral Studies and Dissertation Committee to assist the student in completing the Ph.D.

M.S. General Degree Completion Requirements. The maximum time-to-degree for Master’s students is seven years, during which time the student must be enrolled full time for at least three consecutive semesters. A student must take 9 credit hours to be a considered a full-time student by financial aid. If the student has an assistantship, full time is considered to be 6 credit hours per semester. In order to complete the M.S., students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in graduate-level courses taken in graduate status and a GPA of at least 3.0 for courses listed in the Program of Studies. Students cannot graduate with pending incompletes nor while on probation.

Professional Science Masters concentration. The M.S. in Nanoscience and Microsystems Engineering concentration in Professional Science Masters emphasizes the innovation and entrepreneurial skills necessary to bring discoveries in nanoscience to the marketplace. Candidates for this degree learn the fundamentals of nanoscience, receive hands-on training in microsystems and are introduced to entrepreneurship, innovation and project management. The degree may be completed within one year. This curriculum has been developed in concert with industry and is designed to address present and future professional career needs.

Degree Completion Requirements

The M.S. in Nanoscience and Microsystems Engineering is offered under Plan I (thesis), Plan II (project), and Plan III (coursework only) according to the general requirements specified in Graduate Program section of this Catalog. General requirements are listed below.

Plan I (thesis)

1. Completion of a total of 24 credit hours, including all core course requirements.
2. Completion of 6 credit hours of thesis.

Plan II (project)

1. Completion of a total of 32 credit hours, including all core course requirements and a maximum of 6 credit hours of Problems.
2. Completion of the Master's Project under the direction of a faculty member (typically done as part of a Problems course).

Plan II (Professional Science Masters concentration)

1. Completion of a total of 32 credit hours, including all core course requirements and other stipulated courses.

Plan III (coursework only)

1. Completion of a total of 30 credit hours of course work, including all core course requirements.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nanoscience and Microsystems Engineering

Ph.D. Application and Admission Process. For prospective doctoral students, the process of applying and being selected is the same as for applicants to the Master’s program, with the Admissions Subcommittee assuming responsibility for reviewing applications and selecting candidates. Applicants who plan to apply to the program must have a bachelor’s degree in a natural science or engineering field. All incoming students should meet a minimum level of competency indicated by passing grade in a math class of MATH **316 or higher. If needed, incoming students who are otherwise qualified may take MATH **316 during their first semester and pass with a grade of "B" or better or by taking and passing an equivalency exam that certifies their mathematical ability. 

Ph.D. Faculty Advisor/Mentor. Newly admitted doctoral students must also go through the process of selecting an advisor/mentor. They then request the Graduate Subcommittee that the Qualifying Exam be scheduled sometime during or immediately after they have completed all of the core courses. The program office aids students as needed in their selection process.

Qualifying Examination Procedure. Students who wish to Advance to Candidacy must pass a program qualifying examination. This examination covers the four core subject areas listed in this section, and should be taken as soon as possible after entering the program. The Ph.D. qualifying exam consists of an independent, critical analysis of a research article by the student and the preparation of a research proposal. The student delivers a 30 minute presentation to critique the research paper and present the research proposal. The student is allowed two attempts for the exam.

Ph.D. Committee on Doctoral Studies. The student and faculty mentor invite three faculty members to serve on the student’s Dissertation Committee on Studies. The committee members help the student to plan a Program of Studies that is reflected on the student’s Petition for Candidacy form. These courses meet the student’s interests and needs which will be counted toward the degree. The Petition for Candidacy must be approved by the student’s advisor and the Program Director prior to being submitted to Graduate Studies. The Dissertation Committee also supervises the student’s progress and conducts the required exams.

Degree Completion Requirements

General guidelines for completion of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nanoscience and Microsystems Engineering are set forth in the Graduate Program section of this Catalog.

To advancement to candidacy students must:

1. Satisfactorily complete all course requirements.
2. Pass a qualifying exam.
3. Pass a comprehensive exam
4. File all required paperwork by required time deadlines.

The Ph.D. requires that students complete 48 credit hours of courses plus 18 credit hours of dissertation research credit (699). Overall, the basic requirements for Ph.D. candidates include four core courses and an ethics course, plus four courses in a concentration or in an area of focus, as recommended by the student's dissertation committee. These are minimum requirements. The actual number of thesis or dissertation credit hours in most cases is larger. Ph.D. candidates have a maximum of five years from the semester in which they pass the doctoral comprehensive examination to complete all of the degree requirements.

Minor in Nanoscience and Microsystems Engineering: Students who satisfactorily complete three of the four core courses required by the Ph.D. program (NSMS 510, 512, 518, 519) are awarded a transcripted graduate minor at the Ph.D.-level.

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy Curriculum

General Electives

Any non-NSME electives taken for the satisfaction of degree requirements must be technical in nature and further the study of NSME subject areas. Electives must be approved by the faculty advisor and confirmed by the Graduate Program Director. Course offerings from Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or other departments in the School of Engineering are typically approved as electives, however, students may propose electives from any department.