Arise, young Nano Engineering initiates, and begin your journey into the depths of cutting edge chemical synthesis, microfabrication techniques, electronic circuit design, nano-bio systems, quantum physics, and… math! Let me be one of the first to congratulate you on your acceptance into one of the most interesting programs available to undergraduate students! If you are anything like me, you chose nano-eng because you wanted to keep your mind open to many disciplines of science, continue your education at one of the best academic institutions in the world, and learn from some of the top professors in their respective fields. That, and ‘Oh, I’m in nanotechnology engineering at the University of Waterloo.’ sounds super bad-ass when you’re meeting new people (especially if you’re all nonchalant and stuff). Well, if these are some of your reasons for accepting your offer to Waterloo, I assure you that you won’t be disappointed. From biochemistry to semi-conductor physics, you’ll get amazing exposure to some of the most important technologies in today’s world, and a good overview of the science behind all of it. Your first year in the program will introduce you to calculus, numerical techniques, and some basic chemistry, physics, and materials science to give you a good knowledge base to build upon for your future years in the program. The real fun starts in your 2nd year with biochemistry, electromagnetism, device physics, and quantum mechanics.
Some small pieces of advice I have for you as you enter this next stage of your life are as follows:
- Talk to upper-year students (mainly ‘cus they’re lonely) because we love to answer your questions and might even be able to help you with something!
- Don’t spend ALL of your time studying. Believe me, I love grades, but don’t focus so much on school that you miss out on everything else that you could be experiencing. Come out to EngSoc events, get involved on a design team, talk to a professor about doing a URA (Undergraduate Research Assistantship), join the Eng Jazz Band, or play on an intramural sports team. Whatever your interests are, university is a place to explore them.
- Don’t slack off. Contrary to my last point, make sure you keep up with your studies. One way to really ruin a term is to try and cram all of that information into your head the night before the exam.
I could go on, but I think you get the gist of it. If you have any questions about the program, or student life in general, talk to your orientation leaders, and come out to our Nano barbeque held every term to meet more of the upper years. I look forward to seeing you around and I know you’ll love your first year in Nanotechnology Engineering.
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