PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
The education and training of graduate students in nanoscience and nanotechnology requires a streamlined, multidisciplinary effort that crosses departmental and college boundaries.

The Graduate Portfolio Program in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is a certification program which provides an opportunity for doctoral students to obtain credentials in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology while they are completing the requirements for a doctoral degree in a particular discipline. This portfolio program is an efficient and effective introduction to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology for students from a wide range of technical disciplines.

BENEFITS:

Graduate Portfolio Program is a formal mechanism for recognizing and rewarding students who obtain the broad educational background necessary to become leaders in nanoscience and nanotechnology after graduation. The program is designed to enrich the research experience, increase the breadth of training, and expand the scholarly credentials of graduate students. At the time of graduation, the student's transcript will reflect a certification that the student has completed the graduate portfolio in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY:

First and second year doctoral students at the University of Texas at Austin with a concentration in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, Engineering Mechanics, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Pharmacy may apply.
There is no minimum GPA for admission to the program.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS:

Course Requirement: Students take four courses (12 semester hours) chosen from a list of courses approved by the Portfolio Committee. One of the four courses must be an introductory survey course on nanoscience and nanotechnology. Among the other courses, two must be outside the student's home department. Courses taken as part of doctoral degree program may be counted toward completion of the portfolio program.

All students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3 to remain in the program.

Introductory Survey Course (Any one of the Following)

Other Portfolio Courses

Research Requirement: Each student is required to draft a research summary that is evaluated by the Portfolio Program Committee. Prior to graduation, each student is required to present his/her research in the porfolio program student seminar.

ENROLLMENT STATISTICS

The Graduate Portfolio Program in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology was first offered in Fall 2004. As of Fall 2008, a total of 130 students enrolled in the program. These students represent 8 departments and 44 different research groups. So far 49 students graduated from the program and 77 students are currently enrolled.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Students are accepted into the program in spring and fall semesters.

All students applying for the program must submit the following:

a) Application
b) One page research proposal
c) Letter of support from advisor
d) Graduate school transcript

Applications will be reviewed by the Portfolio Program Committee.

Click Here to Download Application Form

Complete Application Packet should be submitted to:
Program Coordinator
Graduate Portfolio Program in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
The University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station, A5500
NST 1.208B
Austin, Texas 78712

Deadlines
Spring 2009: February 2
Fall 2009: September 7
Spring 2010: February 1

PORTFOLIO PROGRAM COMMITTEE

The Graduate Portfolio Program is administered by a team of professors who primarily use nanotechnology in their research. The committee, representing a variety of disciplines from the Colleges of Natural Sciences and Engineering, make all administrative decision regarding the program.

Brian Korgel (Chemical Engineering),
Paul Barbara (Chemistry and Biochemistry),
Shaochen Chen (Mechanical Engineering),
Ananth Dodabalapur (Electrical and Computer Engineering),
Wolfgang Frey (Biomedical Engineering),
Rui Huang (Engineering Mechanics),
Desiderio Kovar (Materials Science and Engineering),
C. Ken Shih (Physics)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Porfolio Program Brochure

Graduate Student Highlights