Master's programme in Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is an emerging field of science and technology related to materials and device structures with critical dimensions in the nanometre regime. The nanotechnology employment market is expected to grow significantly. Although few companies currently view themselves as pure nanotechnology companies, nanotechnology is penetrating a number of technology areas and related industries.
Programme outline
Based on a solid understanding of materials science and solid state physics, the programme aims to establish an understanding of size-dependent materials, device and system properties. The student will also establish an understanding of how these properties can be tailored by a controlled manipulation of the microstructure down to the atomic or molecular level. Furthermore, it aims for a good knowledge of various nanoscale devices as well as their applications and fabrication methods. The programme is mainly materials-oriented, partly directed to microelectronics and photonics, but specialization towards materials chemistry, biomedical applications or basic materials physics is also possible. Special emphasis is also on advanced characterization methods to assess detailed materials and device properties. The programme is closely linked to the extensive research activities at the KTH Electrum laboratory, a world-leading resource for the education, research and product development related to micro- and nanofabrication.
Career prospects
Within the semiconductor industry there are global players like HP, Intel and IBM. In Europe we have companies like Osram, Infineon and Philips but also many companies specializing in various components or subsystems. In Sweden there are companies such as Tyco and Syntune (photonics), IRnova and FLIR (infrared cameras and detectors), Micronics (photomask manufacturing), Silex and Omicron (micro-mechanics) and Acreo (contract research). There is also a Swedish labour market in the automotive industry, materials processing, pharmaceutical and chemical industry. Nanotechnology is a major academic research field, and the programme provides a good basis for graduate studies or employment in industrial R&D departments or research institutes.
Degree project
The Degree project gives students an opportunity to study a specific problem in-depth and comprises nominally 20 weeks of work, normally during the final term. It is usually carried out as a minor research project within a research group or in business/ industry. For the final completion of the degree project, the student prepares a written thesis and makes an oral presentation of his/her results in a formal seminar.
