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New Graduate Degree Allows Students to Combine Engineering, Business and Science

July 9, 2010

Graduate students who are interested in using their research as a springboard to build a company can take a curriculum that leads to a masters degree offered 
through the Nanoscience and Microsystems Program. The Professional Master of Science Degree in Nanoscience and Microsystems allows students to learn the fundamentals of nanoscience, receive hands-on training in microsystems and be introduced to entrepreneurship, innovation and project management within the space of one year.

Students will undertake a research project and/or an internship in nanotechnology and have the opportunity to participate in UNM’s Technology Business Plan Competition. The National Science Foundation (NSF) recognized the unique partnership behind the Professional Masters Degree in Nanoscience and Microsystems by awarding UNM a $700K grant to provide three years of competitively awarded fellowships for full-time students in the program. UNM received one of 21 awards out of 218 applications from schools around the country requesting support for various Professional Masters Degrees.

UNM is one of very few universities nationwide to offer graduate degrees in nanotechnology. The UNM grant was led by Kevin Malloy, Professor, Physics and Astronomy. The co-investigators on the NSF grant include Amy Wohlert, Dean of Graduate Studies, Suleiman Kassicieh, Regents’ Distinguished Professor of Management, John Wood, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Abhaya Datye, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Nanoscience and Microsystems Program.  The program itself is based on a partnership between the faculty in the Nanoscience and Microsystems graduate degree program and the Management of Technology faculty in UNM’s Anderson School of Management.

To apply to the Nanoscience and Microsystems Program more information can be found at: NSMS. Students interested in applying for the Professional Masters Degree fellowships can find application information at: SMP.

Media contact: Karen Wentworth (505) 277‑5627; e-mail: kwent2@unm.edu