Education

The Erasmus Mundus programme is a cooperation and mobility programme in the field of higher education that aims to enhance the quality of European higher education in order to promote the European Union as a centre of excellence in learning around the world. It also aims to promote intercultural understanding through co-operation with third countries with an eye toward developing higher education in third countries.

Within the Erasmus Mundus framework, four leading educational institutions in Europe offer a joint Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (EMM-Nano). The partner institutions are:

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (K.U.Leuven), Belgium (Coordinator)
Chalmers Tekniska Högskola (Chalmers), Sweden
Université Joseph Fourier Grenoble, France
Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden), Germany

The word Nanoscience refers to the study, manipulation and engineering of matter, particles and structures on the nanometer scale (one millionth of a millimeter, the scale of atoms and molecules). Important properties of materials, such as the electrical, optical, thermal and mechanical properties, are determined by the way molecules and atoms assemble on the nanoscale into larger structures. Moreover, on a nanometer scale, structures' properties are often different then on a macro scale because quantum mechanical effects become important.
Nanotechnology is the application of nanoscience leading to the use of new nanomaterials and nanosize components in useful products. Nanotechnology will eventually provide us with the ability to design custom-made materials and products with new enhanced properties, new nanoelectronics components, new types of 'smart' medicines and sensors, and even interfaces between electronics and biological systems.

The EMM-Nano programme is truly integrated, with a strong research backbone and an important international scope. The objective of the programme is to provide a top quality multidisciplinary education in nanoscience and nanotechnology. This programme can also be taken part-time.

Profile

You have strong analytic, synthetic and interpretive capabilities and a clear interest in both fundamental sciences as well as technological problems. You should be able to understand a large variety of problems and to attempt to solve them on an abstract academic level, to crosslink knowledge from a variety of scientific disciplines, to form a personal and independent opinion and to transmit it to others. You should show a strong interest in scientific and/or technological problems, be interested in how and why systems function, and have a clear sense of the societal and psychological relevance of technology and its implications upon society.

From your Bachelor's education, you should have acquired a basic knowledge of mathematics (including advanced algebra and differential equations), physics, chemistry and electronics. If you are missing some of this background, introductory courses are offered to acquire this knowledge within the Master's programme. Knowledge of cell biology and biochemistry, molecular and atomic architecture, materials science and electromagnetism are considered an asset. Moreover, you should be able to demonstrate excellence in your previous study results, as well as sufficient knowledge of English.

In general, you have a capacity to think in a mathematical-analytical way and have a strong interest for technology. You are fascinated by the relationship between science and technology, are eager and prepared to learn autonomously, are willing to work hard and show perseverance, entrepreneurship and creativity.

Objectives

The overall objective of the programme is to provide every student with both a broad common multidisciplinary basis and a personalized top-level specialisation in a certain area of nanoscience or nanotechnology.

By the end of the programme, you will possess:
- thorough knowledge of the general principles of physics, chemistry, electronics and biology that play a role on the nanometer scale;
- insight into the materials, fabrication and other experimental techniques that can be used on the nanoscale, as well as their limitations;
- understanding of the formation of complex macro systems which are unique in their operations and possess new functionalities;
- in-depth knowledge of at least one specialisation area within the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology;
- proficiency in translating this knowledge into useful technological applications;
- extensive analytic and synthetic problem-solving capacities;
- sufficient scientific background to undertake research;

Upon the completion of the two-year cycle, successful students will be awarded a joint Master's degree. In addition, the EMM-Nano consortium furnishes a joint degree supplement providing a description of the nature and level of the programme followed.

After graduation

In the coming decades, nanoscience and nanotechnology will undoubtedly become the driving force for a new set of products, systems, and applications. These disciplines are even expected to form the basis for a new industrial revolution.

Within a few years, nanoscience applications are expected to impact virtually every technological sector and ultimately many aspects of our daily life. In the coming five-to-ten years, many new products and companies will emerge based on nanotechnology and nanosciences. These new products will stem from the knowledge developed at the interface of the various scientific disciplines offered in the EMM-Nano programme.

Thus, EMM-Nano graduates will find a wealth of career opportunities in the sectors and industries developing these new technologies: electronics, new and smart materials, chemical technology, biotechnology, R&D, independent consultancies and more. Graduates have an ideal background to become the invaluable interface between these areas and will be able to apply their broad perspective on nanoscience and nanotechnology to the development and creation of new products and even new companies.

Spotlight

The programme is strongly research-oriented, and is largely based on research of centres such as Imec in Belgium, CEA-LETI in France and Leibniz Institute for Solid State Materials Research in Germany. These institutions are worldwide research leaders in nanoscience and nanotechnology and provide access to world-class infrastructure for nanotechnology research and development as well as opportunities for graduating students to continue their studies with a PhD. This strong link between education and research ensures a contemporary programme at the cutting edge of state-of-the-art research.

A limited number of scholarships for both European and non-European students are funded by the European Commission. There are category A and B scholarships: For students not eligible for category A or B scholarships funded by the EU, the consortium funds a limited number of its own grants. The number of grants and the amount of the grant is decided on an annual basis.

The programme is strongly connected to the latest innovations in the field. The courses are continuously updated following the progress of science and technology in this young and highly innovative field. Furthermore, you will spend one quarter of the study programme elaborating your own research project in the context of a Master's thesis. There is ample opportunity to take elective courses, either to increase your level of proficiency, or to broaden your horizon, according to your own interest.

Contact

Faculty of Engineering Science
Programme director
Prof. dr. Ir. G. Groeseneken
Tel. +32 16 28 12 69
Administrative office
Kasteelpark Arenberg 1 bus 2200
3001 HEVERLEE
tel. + 32 16 32 13 50
fax + 32 16 32 19 82
info@eng.kuleuven.be
www.eng.kuleuven.be

General information
Study Advice Service
Naamsestraat 80 box 5415
3000 LEUVEN, Belgium
To contact us please complete the contact form on our website.

Useful links

Visit this programme's website.

Download this brochure

Download this Master's brochure.

Order this Master's brochure.