Program overview
Nanoscale science and engineering, simply put, is the study of matter at dimensions between 1 and 100 nanometers (tens of thousands of times thinner than a human hair) and using their unique properties to create things. This field sits at the intersection of science and engineering, covering both fundamental theories in physics and chemistry as well as techniques for material preparation, characterization, and device fabrication. Core courses include nanomaterials, nanoelectronics, nanoscale characterization techniques (e.g., how to use a scanning tunneling microscope), fundamentals of quantum mechanics, and nanobiotechnology. It's ideal for students who are curious about the microscopic world, enjoy hands-on experiments, and aren't afraid of interdisciplinary challenges. Chinese universities have invested heavily in this area—for example, the nanocenters at Tsinghua, Peking, and USTC boast world-class facilities, and many research groups collaborate closely with industry, giving students exposure to cutting-edge applications.