The Nanoscale Engineering Curriculum

The NSE Curriculum: Fostering Theoretical Understanding and Practical Experience

The Nanoscale Engineering master is a two-year program corresponding to 120 ECTS credits. Students receive a universal and profound training in physics, materials science and electronics at the nanoscale, but also in nanobiotechnology. Elective courses can be followed by the students in their desired area of specialization and/or to broaden their horizons. The entire curriculum is taught in English.

A key educational concept of the program is that each student is immersed in a high-quality research environment for almost half of the time in the curriculum. Throughout the academic year, lab practicals and projects are carried out in the different research laboratories of our institutions. The thesis projects are undertaken either in research laboratories or in nanotechnology companies.

In addition to the scientific and technological aspects, ethical issues and the societal impact of nanotechnology, as well as business considerations, are addressed in specialized seminars and courses.

First Year (60 ECTS)

The major part of semester 1 is dedicated to lectures: the students follow mandatory courses and other classes from the core and elective modules. A group research project with one of the research laboratory associated with the master starts from the first weeks of the semester. Laboratory practicals and mini-projects ensure a smooth transition into semester 2 which includes an internship of a minimum duration of seven weeks in a research group. Seminars of speakers from both academia and industry complement the educational program throughout the first year.

Second Year (60 ECTS)

Semester 3 is again dedicated to lectures, featuring 3 slots for core modules and 3 for electives, as well as some ancillary courses. The entirety of semester 4 is taken up by the five to six-month Master thesis project, which can be conducted in a research laboratory or in a company, in France or abroad. As in the first year, seminars of speakers from both academia and industry complement the educational program.

Modules and Courses

First Year

These courses impart the fundamental knowledge in the nanotechnology field applied to physics, electronics, optics, materials science and biotechnology.

Core modules in the first year

There are four obligatory core modules in the first year:

Furthermore, there is a remedial physics course to which students are assigned based on the results of a physics test at the beginning of semester 1 (Fundamental Basis of Science).
Students have to select a minimum of two courses from the following list for their first semester:

And four courses from the following list have to be chosen for the second semester of the first year:

Internship

In the second semester, students conduct one internship of a minimum duration of 7 weeks in one the research laboratories participating in the program (Reseach Project 2). Previously, in the first semester the students choose a group project (Research Project 1) and come into contact with a host research laboratory by spending some time in these laboratories to carry out data analysis and even some experiements under the guidance of their supervisors. Research Project 1 also includes data analysis courses as well as project management skills.

Ancillary Courses and Seminars

Complementary know-how, relevant both for academia and in an industrial environment are provided in different courses of the first year. Communication skills are likewise developed through written and oral presentations of all experimental work that is carried out during the Master program and particularly in Research Project 1.
We also provide the students with a Langage course and an Intercultural studies module, both to better deal with the day-to-day live in France and to developing knowledge and skills appropriate to work in cross‐cultural environments.

Experimental Modules

Students conduct lab practicals that are integrated into the various courses, during which they familiarize themselves hands-on with all standard techniques for fabrication and characterization of nanostructures. They furthermore have the opportunity to work more independently on individual or group projects.

Second Year

In the second year students have only courses in the first semester. These courses cover a wide range of nanotechnology-related disciplines and thus allow the students to specialize according to their preferences as well as to broaden their expertise. They need to make a choice of course from two group of courses.

Core modules in the second year

Students have to choose at least three courses from the following selection for their second year:

Elective modules in the second year

Students follow a minimum of three courses from the following selection in the second year:

Master Thesis Project

The final five to six-month period of the program is devoted to the master project, which can be carried out either in an academic research laboratory or in an industrial environment. Students have the option to conduct their thesis project anywhere in France or abroad.

Ancillary Courses and Seminars

Complementary know-how, relevant both for academia and in an industrial environment. Students follow a course on intellectual-property issues. Ethical aspects and the societal impact of nanotechnology are covered in specialized seminars, which also allow for networking with national and international nanotechnology companies and research laboratories.

Experimental Modules

Students conduct lab practicals that are integrated into the various courses, during which they familiarize themselves hands-on with all standard techniques for fabrication and characterization of nanostructures. They furthermore have the opportunity to work more independently on individual or group projects.