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M-TECH in Nanoscience And Engineering at Indian Institute of Science
Bengaluru, Karnataka
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About the Specialization
What is Nanoscience and Engineering at Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru?
This Nanoscience and Engineering program at Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, focuses on fundamental principles, synthesis, characterization, and application of materials at the nanoscale. It addresses the growing need for skilled professionals in India''''s emerging nano-enabled industries, offering a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical expertise crucial for innovation in electronics, energy, and biomedical fields.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for engineering or science graduates (B.E./B.Tech./M.Sc. in relevant disciplines like Physics, Electronics, Materials Science, Chemistry) who possess a strong aptitude for interdisciplinary research. It caters to fresh graduates aspiring for R&D roles in nanotechnology, as well as working professionals aiming to upskill for advanced careers in Indian semiconductor, healthcare, and energy sectors, or pursue doctoral studies.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect promising career paths in leading Indian and international R&D labs, public sector research organizations, and high-tech companies within India. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 6-12 LPA, with experienced professionals commanding significantly higher packages. Graduates can secure roles as Nanomaterials Scientists, Device Engineers, Process Engineers, or Research Scientists, contributing to India''''s technological advancements and innovation landscape.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Concepts and Fundamentals- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate time to thoroughly understand the foundational principles of quantum mechanics, materials science, and fabrication techniques. Regularly review lecture notes, solve problems, and engage in discussions with peers and faculty to solidify understanding, which is crucial for advanced courses.
Tools & Resources
Textbooks on Solid State Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Materials Science, IISc library resources, Peer study groups
Career Connection
Strong fundamentals are non-negotiable for R&D roles and for excelling in technical interviews, providing the bedrock for specialized knowledge and problem-solving in the nanotechnology industry.
Develop Lab Skills and Safety Protocols- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in all laboratory sessions, focusing on hands-on experience with characterization and fabrication equipment. Pay meticulous attention to safety procedures and data recording. Seek opportunities to assist senior researchers to gain exposure to advanced lab practices.
Tools & Resources
IISc Advanced Nano Fabrication Center (ANFC), Characterization labs (SEM, TEM, AFM), Lab manuals and safety guidelines
Career Connection
Practical lab skills are highly valued in research and development positions in industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, advanced materials, and biomedical device development, ensuring immediate industry readiness.
Cultivate Interdisciplinary Thinking- (Semester 1-2)
Nanoscience is inherently interdisciplinary. Actively connect concepts from physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering. Attend seminars outside your immediate specialization, read interdisciplinary journals, and seek diverse perspectives to foster a holistic understanding of nanoscale phenomena.
Tools & Resources
IISc''''s interdisciplinary seminar series, Journals like Nano Letters, ACS Nano, Discussions with students from different science/engineering backgrounds
Career Connection
This broad perspective prepares you for roles that require integrating knowledge across disciplines, a common requirement in cutting-edge R&D and innovative Indian startups developing multi-functional nanodevices.
Intermediate Stage
Engage in Early Research Projects/Internships- (Semester 3)
Proactively seek out short-term research projects or internships (even within IISc or other Indian institutions) during summer breaks. This hands-on experience beyond coursework helps in identifying research interests, building a professional network, and applying theoretical knowledge.
Tools & Resources
IISc internal project opportunities, Industry internship portals (e.g., Internshala, AICTE internship portal), Networking with faculty and senior PhD students
Career Connection
Early research exposure significantly strengthens your CV for M.Tech project selection, PhD applications, and entry-level R&D positions, showcasing practical application of skills to potential employers in India.
Specialize through Electives and Advanced Courses- (Semester 3-4)
Strategically choose elective courses that align with your specific interests and career goals (e.g., nanoelectronics, nanomedicine, energy materials). Delve deeper into these chosen areas, read advanced literature, and aim for a comprehensive understanding of the specialization.
Tools & Resources
IISc course catalog for advanced electives, Review articles in specialized journals, Online courses (NPTEL, Coursera for advanced topics)
Career Connection
Developing specialized expertise through focused electives makes you a more attractive candidate for targeted roles in specific nanotechnology domains within Indian companies or research institutions, differentiating you from generalists.
Network and Attend Conferences/Workshops- (Semester 3-4)
Actively participate in national and international conferences, workshops, and symposiums related to nanoscience held in India (e.g., Nano India, ICONSET). Presenting your work or even just attending helps in networking with peers, faculty, and industry leaders, opening doors for collaborations and job opportunities.
Tools & Resources
Conference websites (e.g., IEEE, APS India chapters), Departmental notices for upcoming events, LinkedIn for professional connections
Career Connection
Networking is vital for discovering unseen opportunities in the Indian R&D ecosystem, receiving mentorship, and getting referrals for coveted positions in top companies and research labs.
Advanced Stage
Excel in M.Tech Research Project (Thesis)- (Semester 3-4)
Treat your M.Tech project as a mini-PhD. Aim for a high-quality, publishable work by focusing on novel contributions, rigorous experimentation, and clear scientific communication. Collaborate effectively with your supervisor and lab mates.
Tools & Resources
Thesis writing guidelines, IISc research journals and databases, Research gate for peer work
Career Connection
A strong M.Tech thesis, especially one leading to a publication or patent, is a significant asset for securing top-tier R&D positions in India, admission to prestigious PhD programs, and even attracting venture capital for innovation.
Develop Advanced Soft Skills and Presentation Abilities- (Semester 3-4)
Refine your scientific writing, presentation, and critical thinking skills. Practice presenting your research concisely and effectively, both in technical and general contexts. Seek feedback from peers and mentors to improve communication clarity.
Tools & Resources
IISc''''s communication and public speaking workshops, Toastmasters clubs, Peer review sessions
Career Connection
Excellent communication skills are crucial for leadership roles, project management, and securing grants or funding, making you a well-rounded professional capable of influencing and leading teams in Indian industries.
Strategize Career Path and Placement Preparation- (Semester 3-4)
Begin placement preparation early by tailoring your resume, practicing technical interviews specific to nanoscience, and understanding potential employer requirements. Explore both core R&D roles and technical consulting or entrepreneurial paths within India''''s growing technology sector.
Tools & Resources
IISc Placement Cell services, Online coding/interview platforms (e.g., LeetCode for problem-solving), Company websites for job descriptions
Career Connection
A proactive and strategic approach to placements maximizes your chances of securing a desirable role in leading Indian companies, research labs, or even pursuing higher studies abroad, ensuring a smooth transition into your professional career.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology/Science (4-year) or Master’s degree in Science. Qualifying degrees include BE/B.Tech (Physics/Electronics/Electrical/Mechanical/Material Science/Nanoscience/Chemistry/Biotech/Chemical) or MSc (Physics/Chemistry/Material Science/Nanoscience/Electronics/Biotech). GATE scores are mandatory. First Class or 60% marks (or CGPA 6.7/10) for General/OBC/EWS candidates, and 55% (or CGPA 6.2/10) for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: Minimum 64 credits Credits
Assessment: Assessment pattern not specified
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE 201 | Introduction to Nanoscience and Engineering | Core | 2 | Fundamentals of Nanoscale, Quantum Phenomena at Nanoscale, Surface Science Principles, Overview of Nanomaterial Synthesis, Basic Characterization Techniques |
| NE 202 | Materials for Nanoscience and Engineering | Core | 2 | Classification of Nanomaterials, Properties of Nanostructures, Low-Dimensional Materials, Self-Assembly Processes, Advanced Materials for Nanodevices |
| NE 203 | Fabrication Methods in Nanoscience and Engineering | Core | 3 | Top-Down Lithography Techniques, Bottom-Up Self-Assembly Approaches, Thin Film Deposition Methods, Etching Processes for Nanostructures, Advanced Nanopatterning Strategies |
| NE 204 | Characterization of Nanomaterials and Devices | Core | 3 | Electron Microscopy (TEM, SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Spectroscopy Techniques (Raman, IR), Electrical and Optical Characterization |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE 205 | Quantum Mechanics for Nanoscience and Engineering | Core | 3 | Quantum States and Operators, Schrödinger Equation Applications, Quantum Confinement Effects, Electron Tunneling Phenomena, Basic Concepts of Quantum Computing |
| NE 206 | Electronic and Photonic Nanodevices | Core | 3 | Nanotransistors and FETs, Quantum Dot Devices, Photonic Crystals and Metamaterials, Spintronic Device Architectures, Plasmonic Devices and Applications |
| NE 207 | Soft and Biological Nanomaterials | Core | 2 | Biopolymers and Self-Assembly, Lipid Bilayers and Vesicles, Soft Matter Physics Principles, Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery, Design of Biosensors |
| NE 208 | Computational Nanoscience and Engineering | Core | 2 | Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Density Functional Theory (DFT), Finite Element Methods in Nanoscale, Computational Tools for Materials Science, Modeling of Nanoscale Phenomena |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE 299 | Research Project - Part 1 | Project | 16 | Extensive Literature Review, Research Problem Identification, Experimental Design and Methodology, Preliminary Data Collection, Project Proposal Development |
| NE 211 | Advanced Quantum Mechanics for Nanoscience and Engineering | Elective | 3 | Advanced Perturbation Theory, Scattering Theory, Relativistic Quantum Mechanics, Many-Body Quantum Systems, Quantum Field Theory Basics |
| NE 212 | Nanosystems, Devices and Applications | Elective | 3 | Integrated Nanosystems, Nanodevice Architecture, Energy Harvesting Nanodevices, Environmental Applications of Nanosystems, Nano-Biomedical Devices |
| NE 213 | Nanoelectronics | Elective | 3 | Quantum Transport in Nanostructures, Molecular Electronics, Carbon Nanotube Devices, Graphene Electronics, Spintronic Concepts |
| NE 214 | Nanophotonics and Plasmonics | Elective | 3 | Light-Matter Interaction at Nanoscale, Photonic Crystals, Surface Plasmon Resonance, Metamaterials for Photonics, Nanophotonic Devices |
| NE 215 | Spintronics | Elective | 3 | Electron Spin Fundamentals, Giant Magnetoresistance, Spin-Orbit Interaction, Magnetic Tunnel Junctions, Spintronic Memory Devices |
| NE 216 | Organic and Polymer Electronics | Elective | 3 | Conjugated Polymers, Organic Semiconductors, Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs), Organic Photovoltaics, Flexible Electronics |
| NE 217 | Energy Materials and Devices | Elective | 3 | Materials for Solar Cells, Thermoelectric Materials, Battery and Supercapacitor Materials, Hydrogen Production and Storage, Fuel Cell Technologies |
| NE 218 | Advanced Materials for Nanoscience and Engineering | Elective | 3 | 2D Materials beyond Graphene, Topological Insulators, Perovskites, Shape Memory Alloys, Smart Materials |
| NE 219 | Biosensors and Bioelectronics | Elective | 3 | Biorecognition Elements, Transduction Mechanisms, Electrochemical Biosensors, Optical Biosensors, Implantable Bioelectronics |
| NE 220 | Nanomedicine and Drug Delivery | Elective | 3 | Nanoparticles for Therapy, Targeted Drug Delivery, Gene Delivery Systems, Diagnostic Nanomaterials, Toxicology of Nanomaterials |
| NE 221 | Nanobiotechnology | Elective | 3 | DNA Nanotechnology, Protein Engineering, Biomimetic Nanomaterials, Nanorobotics in Biology, Cell-Nanomaterial Interactions |
| NE 222 | Nanofluidics | Elective | 3 | Fluid Flow at Nanoscale, Electrokinetics in Nanofluidics, Nanopore Devices, Lab-on-a-Chip Systems, Applications in Separation Science |
| NE 223 | Nanocomposites | Elective | 3 | Polymer Nanocomposites, Ceramic Nanocomposites, Metal Matrix Nanocomposites, Interfacial Phenomena, Mechanical and Thermal Properties |
| NE 224 | Computational Materials Science | Elective | 3 | First-Principles Calculations, Monte Carlo Methods, Phase Field Modeling, Machine Learning in Materials Science, High-Throughput Computing |
| NE 225 | Quantum Computation and Information | Elective | 3 | Quantum Bits (Qubits), Quantum Gates, Quantum Algorithms (Shor, Grover), Quantum Error Correction, Quantum Cryptography |
| NE 226 | MEMS and NEMS | Elective | 3 | Microfabrication Techniques, Microsensors and Actuators, Nanomechanical Resonators, NEMS Design and Fabrication, Applications in Bio-MEMS/NEMS |
| NE 227 | Electron Microscopy for Materials Characterization | Elective | 3 | Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), High-Resolution TEM (HRTEM), Electron Diffraction, Elemental Analysis (EDX, EELS) |
| NE 228 | Advanced Characterization Techniques for Nanomaterials | Elective | 3 | X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), Nano-indentation, Confocal Raman Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) |
| NE 229 | Solid State Devices | Elective | 3 | Semiconductor Physics Review, PN Junction Diodes, Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs), MOSFETs and CMOS Technology, Photonic Devices |
| NE 230 | Thin Film Technology | Elective | 3 | Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), Thin Film Growth Mechanisms, Characterization of Thin Films |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE 299 | Research Project - Part 2 | Project | 16 | Advanced Experimental Procedures, In-Depth Data Analysis and Interpretation, Scientific Writing and Thesis Preparation, Oral Presentation and Defense, Preparation for Publication |
| NE 231 | Advanced Lithography and Patterning Techniques | Elective | 3 | E-beam Lithography, Nanoimprint Lithography, Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUVL), Directed Self-Assembly, Atomic Layer Etching |
| NE 232 | Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-chip Devices | Elective | 3 | Microfluidic Principles, Fluid Control Techniques, Microfabrication for Microfluidics, Lab-on-a-Chip Applications, Droplet Microfluidics |
| NE 233 | Nanomagnetism | Elective | 3 | Magnetic Domains at Nanoscale, Superparamagnetism, Exchange Bias, Magnetic Nanoparticles, Magnetoresistance Effects |
| NE 234 | Carbon Nanomaterials | Elective | 3 | Graphene Synthesis and Properties, Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), Fullerenes and Nanodiamonds, Applications in Electronics, Energy and Biomedical Uses |
| NE 235 | Flexible and Stretchable Electronics | Elective | 3 | Flexible Substrates, Stretchable Conductors, Strain Engineering, Wearable Devices, Soft Robotics |
| NE 236 | Optoelectronics | Elective | 3 | Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), Photodiodes and Solar Cells, Lasers and Photodetectors, Optical Waveguides, Modulators and Switches |
| NE 237 | Surface Science and Engineering | Elective | 3 | Surface Structure and Composition, Adsorption and Desorption, Surface Reconstruction, Catalysis on Surfaces, Thin Film Growth Dynamics |
| NE 238 | Atomic Force Microscopy and Scanning Probe Techniques | Elective | 3 | Principles of AFM, Contact and Non-Contact Modes, Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), Lateral Force Microscopy, Advanced Imaging and Spectroscopy |
| NE 239 | Quantum Computing and Machine Learning | Elective | 3 | Quantum Machine Learning Algorithms, Quantum Neural Networks, Quantum Optimization, Hybrid Quantum-Classical Approaches, Applications in Data Science |
| NE 240 | AI for Nanoscience and Engineering | Elective | 3 | Machine Learning in Materials Discovery, AI in Nanofabrication, Data-Driven Nanomaterial Design, Deep Learning for Nano-Imaging, Predictive Modeling in Nanosystems |
| NE 241 | Nanosensors and Actuators | Elective | 3 | Nanostructure-based Sensing Mechanisms, Chemical Nanosensors, Physical Nanosensors, Nano-actuation Principles, Applications in IoT and Health |
| NE 242 | Metamaterials and Metasurfaces | Elective | 3 | Negative Refractive Index Materials, Electromagnetic Metamaterials, Acoustic Metamaterials, Design of Metasurfaces, Applications in Cloaking and Imaging |
| NE 243 | Semiconductor Nanocrystals | Elective | 3 | Quantum Dots Synthesis, Optical Properties of Quantum Dots, Electronic Structure of Nanocrystals, Colloidal Nanocrystals, Applications in Displays and Bioimaging |
| NE 244 | Quantum Dot based Devices | Elective | 3 | Quantum Dot Lasers, Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diodes, Quantum Dot Solar Cells, Single Electron Transistors, Quantum Dot Sensors |
| NE 245 | Organic and Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells | Elective | 3 | Perovskite Materials Science, Device Physics of Perovskite Cells, Organic Solar Cell Architecture, Stability and Efficiency Issues, Manufacturing and Scaling |
| NE 246 | Nanoscale Heat Transfer | Elective | 3 | Phonon Transport, Thermal Conductivity at Nanoscale, Interface Thermal Resistance, Nanoscale Convection, Applications in Thermal Management |
| NE 247 | Electrochemical Energy Storage | Elective | 3 | Batteries (Li-ion, Solid State), Supercapacitors, Electrolyte Materials, Electrodes and Separators, Degradation Mechanisms |
| NE 248 | Catalysis for Energy and Environment | Elective | 3 | Heterogeneous Catalysis, Electrocatalysis, Photocatalysis, Catalytic Converters, Green Chemistry Principles |
| NE 249 | Advanced Polymer Science and Engineering | Elective | 3 | Polymer Synthesis Methods, Polymer Characterization, Polymer Rheology, Functional Polymers, Polymer Processing |
| NE 250 | Polymer Nanocomposites | Elective | 3 | Synthesis of Polymer Nanocomposites, Filler Dispersion Techniques, Interfacial Interactions, Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites, Applications in Various Fields |
