<p>I want to work in the field of nanotechnology/nanoengineering, but I do not know what major to choose. Some say I should choose chemical or materials engineering, while others say I should choose a school that offers specific nanotechnology majors (but these are much more uncommon). So which major should I pursue?</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard, the specific nanotechnology major (ie at SUNY Albany) isn’t the best idea as it’s far too limited for undergraduate. If you find out nanotech’s not your thing by the 3rd or 4th year, you could have trouble finding a job in another field.</p>
<p>Outside of that I don’t think the degree really matters. The most popular choices I’ve heard of are MSE/EE/ME, but what’s the most important is the research you work on. Nanotechnology’s still a developing field or heavily R&D based, so most of the work will require an MS/PhD. I’m sure there are ways that it’s involved in industry with only a BS, but you mostly hear about it in a research sense. Basically, choose whatever major sounds the most interesting to you, then talk to professors doing nano research to see how you can get involved.</p>
<p>Materials Science & Engineering or Chemical Engineering. MSEs work with things like nanofibers and artificial bone/organs, and chemE’s work with drug delivery vehicles.</p>
<p>For nanotechnology, which is an incredibly broadly-defined term, undergrad is not as important as what you do in grad school (you won’t be doing squat without a grad degree) and what kind of research you get plugged into at the undergraduate level.</p>
<p>Similar to discussion in another thread. Nanotechnology is being addressed across the engineering disciplines and sciences in materials science, chem e, bio e, electrical, and mechanical engineering as well as physics, chemistry and biology. Graduate programs are more mature and focused but there are some undegrad programs such as</p>
<p>UC San Diego and others
[B.S</a>. NanoEngineering | NanoEngineering](<a href=“http://ne.ucsd.edu/undergrad-programs/degree/bs-nanoengineering]B.S”>B.S. NanoEngineering | Department of NanoEngineering)</p>
<p>To see the breadth of nanotechnology developers and development areas see:</p>
<p>NNI Nanotechnology Dashboard - Nanotechnology facilities, degree programs and focused organizations by state
[NANO</a> Maps](<a href=“Nano Dashboard | National Nanotechnology Initiative”>Nano Dashboard | National Nanotechnology Initiative)</p>
<p>US NanoMetro Map - Clusters of nanotechnology development in various industries and disciplines
[Nanotechnology</a> Map](<a href=“http://www.nanotechproject.org/inventories/map/]Nanotechnology”>http://www.nanotechproject.org/inventories/map/)</p>
<p>Nanotechnology Now nanotechnology education List
[College</a> & University Nanoscale Science, Technology and Engineering Programs](<a href=“http://www.nanotech-now.com/academic.htm]College”>College & University Nanoscale Science, Technology and Engineering Programs)</p>
<p>So i think the real question might be: Which area/type of nanotechnology are you interested in? Agree that an advanced degree will be needed in this R&D heavy area. I don’t see any job postings for nanoengineering bach. degrees…yet.</p>
<p>Just choose whatever major you like and find a nice lab to work in. There’s plenty of nano research going around these days.</p>
<p>SUNY at Albany has a huge nanotechnology dept. Maybe call or visit and ask them questions directly?</p>
<p>choose either chemical/materials, electrical or mechanical. not sure in the usa, but in canada the university of waterloo offers a nanotech engineering degree. hard to get into</p>