There are fourteen undergraduate engineering programs at the University of Waterloo. Some can be classified as “traditional” engineering disciplines, such as Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Civil, etc. Some are newer strands of engineering, coming in the form of Software, Computer and Biomedical to name a few. Most would probably agree that the names of these programs reflect their content well. This means that, prior to applying to these programs, potential applicants have a reasonably accurate idea of what they can expect to learn about in the program, and the degree they will receive following the completion of their program.
There is, however, a needle in the naming haystack: “Nanotechnology Engineering” is the name given to an inherently multidisciplinary program with foci in chemistry, physics and mathematics, electrical engineering and materials science. Foundational knowledge in each of these areas is essential to engineer next-generation materials in areas of biotechnology all the way to maintaining Moore’s Law of doubling the number of transistors on a chip. This knowledge is also critical for zooming out to a higher level, where engineers determine how to use these materials and their properties effectively to create new products, or enhance performance of a current product.
Still not convinced materials science is interesting? Some example of applications include: drug delivery. Quantum Information. Medical Imaging. Communications. Displays. Optics. Microfluidics. Polymeric materials. Composite materials. Aviation. The list goes on. What’s the common link? Materials.
In much the same way that one associates coding with software engineering, or bridges, roads and infrastructure with civil engineering, materials science is the bread and butter and of the Nanotechnology Engineering program.
Most of this work is done at the nanoscale, which is presumably the rationale behind the name “Nanotechnology Engineering”. However, the vast majority of high school students applying to the program are not able to make the connection to materials. Instead, many may apply with the idea that Nanotechnology is modern, cool, ground-breaking, innovative, etc.
To be absolutely clear, most applicants are simply unclear on what “Nanotechnology Engineering” entails. The supposed “naming difficulty” comes from the fact that it is so hard to find one name that can possibly capture all of what Materials Science and Engineering allows us to do.
A question to ponder: why not change “Nanotechnology Engineering” into “Materials Science and Engineering”? Though perhaps not as exciting as “Nanotechnology Engineering”, it is without doubt a more accurate representation of what our community invests time, energy and effort in, day in and day out.
Leave a Reply