What is nanotechnology?

It’s the study and manipulation of things on the molecular level.  A nanometer is a billionth of a meter.  A human hair is 100,000 nanometers thick.  Nanotechnology is a science that involves doing such things as building machines, developing chemicals, and conducting medical procedures on the nanoscale.  Up until recently, everything that was built or worked with was on a scale you could see.  The future of everything is now in miniaturization, so those who understand the science of nanotechnology have the best future job prospects.      

Who would make a good candidate for DCC’s Nanotechnology Technician Education program?

High school grads who are interested in math, science, and technology and who did well in those subjects in school. 

What are the job prospects for program graduates?

Excellent.  The National Science Foundation (NSF) predicts that more jobs will be created in nanotechnology in coming years than in any other field.  The NSF forecasts 1 million new nanotech jobs in America by 2016 (2 million worldwide).  Experts are comparing the upcoming nanotechnology boom as being similar to all the IT jobs created when computers became a daily part of life and industry.  And just as those who were early computer science majors ended up getting in on the ground floor of the computer age, those who enter programs such as DCC’s NanoTech Ed program now will get in on the ground floor of the emerging field of nanotechnology.  The NSF has so much faith in the future of nanotechnology that they funded the creation of DCC’s NanoTech Ed program (and they’ve done the same at various other community colleges throughout the nation).

Locally, project partner Luna nanoWorks plans to hire program graduates.  DCC has 29 other partner companies that specialize in nanotechnology (in Southern Virginia and Research Triangle Park in NC) who have also partnered to hire DCC NanoTech Ed grads and/or offer potential internships.   The local companies are:  ABB, Arista Tubes, DanChem, Electronic Development Labs, Engineering Design & Sales, Essel Propack, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Intertape Polymer Group, EIT South, and Nestle.  Partnering companies located elsewhere (but within workforce driving distance) are Sensory Analytics, Alnis BioSciences, Amphora Discovery Corp., Liquidia Technologies, Nextreme Thermal Solutions, Advanced Liquid Logic, International Technology Center, Xintek, Hydrosize Technologies, NanoTechLabs Inc., Zellcomp, Applied Quantum Technologies, MEMSCAP, Nitronex, Semprius, Micron, Expression Analysis, NanoLume Inc, and AdvanceTEC.      

For what types of jobs and at what pay scale will program graduates be hired?

Graduates will be top candidates for jobs in industrial, medical, and R&D laboratories as well as product development, quality control, and most technician-level jobs that require expertise in use of high-end equipment.  In addition, just as “business management” was the broad applicability degree of the 1970s through 1990s (with business school graduates being able to land jobs in a wide range of fields), nanotechnology will have the same broad applicability in the technical world due to the wide range of technical skills acquired in the degree work.     The pay scale generally ranges from $30,000 to $50,000, making it one of the most high-paid fields open to graduates from two-year degree programs.

What makes DCC’s NanoTech Ed program unique? 

First and foremost, its equipment.  With over $1 million in such equipment as atomic force microscopes and spectroscopy equipment, the program offers students the unique opportunity to master equipment that is usually available only to students in their fifth or more year of college at major universities.  This will give DCC program graduates a distinct advantage over other job applicants as not only will DCC’s students understand the science of nanotechnology, but they will also have expert experience on equipment that few other two-year program job applicants will have. 

Another program advantage is that the Director of DCC’s NanoTech Ed program, Dr. Beverly Clark III, is a local native son, having graduated from Chatham High School and then eventually earning his Ph.D. from North Carolina State University.  In fact, Dr. Clark’s mother has even been an educator in local school systems throughout her entire life, too.  His local roots give Dr. Clark a unique understanding of Southside Virginia’s culture and citizenry.     

Which NanoTech Ed courses will be offered this semester?

In the Fall 2011 Semester, DCC will be welcoming its first cohort of NanoTech Ed students with the following  nano program-specific courses:

NAN 100-90  -  Applied Physics & Chemistry for Technicians in Nanotechnology Industry   -   3 credits

Tues & Thurs 4:00-5:15 pm   -   RCATT Building   -   Class #48566

NAN 101-90  -  Introduction to Nanomaterials & Processes   -   3 credits

Tues & Thurs 6:00-7:15 pm   -   RCATT Building   -   Class #48571

In addition, the program’s required general education courses are offered at varying days and times (see DCC’s online class schedule).

What are the advantages to declaring a NanoTech Ed major now?

DCC’s program received its accreditation only this past May, making the Fall Semester 2011 class the FIRST NANOTECH ED COHORT who will be graduating with this unique degree from DCC.  Being the first among graduating students will give participants the distinct advantage of being the first to hit the job market with this new degree long before their competition starts flooding the job market.  The newness of this program offers this year’s students an advantage that no students coming after them will ever have.

Are the NanoTech Ed courses only for NanoTech Ed program majors? 

Actually, NAN 101 (Introduction to Nanomaterials & Processes) is open to non-majors as well and will fulfill the requirement for a technical elective.  Having knowledge and expertise in this subject will be a terrific career selling point for students in any number of other majors, from healthcare, to business, to the general sciences, to the trades.  With nanotechnology to be playing such a prominent role in nearly every future industry, even non-nano majors will find that having a background in nanotechnology will provide them a terrific leg up in their future careers. 

How do students register for NanoTech Ed?   

The same way all other DCC students register for their chosen programs of study.  Here are step-by-step instructions. 

Who can I contact in person for more info?   

Program director and NanoTech Ed instructor Dr. Beverly Clark at bclark@dcc.vccs.edu  or   434-797-8516.