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Nanotechnology, the science of manipulating matter at an incredibly tiny scale, is a dynamic field driving innovations in renewable energy, electronics, medical testing, and treatments. Researchers are discovering that at minuscule dimensions, unique behaviors emerge purely due to physical scale. These effects manifest as quantum confinement in nanoparticles, enabling vibrant display screens with enhanced color accuracy and advanced diagnostic tools for cancer detection, alongside cutting-edge electronics built from novel materials that may outperform conventional silicon technology. Yet nanotechnology extends beyond these quantum effects. Scientists are also demonstrating that microscopic components can be organized into extraordinarily intricate systems with sophisticated functionality, even when governed by classical physics principles. This is evident in modern microchip manufacturing, the compact yet powerful systems within mobile devices, and state-of-the-art digital cinema projectors that rely on millions of microscopic mirrors working in perfect harmony on a single silicon chip.
Students with science and engineering undergraduate degrees are eligible for admission to the Nanotechnology Master's Degree program. A bachelor's degree in any of the following fields is appropriate: physics, chemistry, bioengineering, materials science, electrical engineering, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, engineering and applied science. In addition, students with technology-oriented business backgrounds who have strong analytical skills and have taken science and engineering courses prior the application can apply.
A strong command of the English language is necessary for successful study at Penn. Applicants whose families do not speak English at home, or applicants who have not attended a high school or secondary school where the primary language of instruction is English, are asked to take the TOEFL, the Test of English as a Foreign Language, administered by the Educational Testing Service. In the event the TOEFL is not readily accessible, Penn will accept results from the IELTS, the International English Language Testing System.