Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T04:21:23.476Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Nanoscience Undergraduate Education (NUE) Program at James Madison University

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Brian H Augustine ,
Barbara A. Reisner  and
Kevin L. Caran
Brian H Augustine
Affiliation:
[email protected], James Madison University, Department of Chemistry, MSC 4501, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 22812, United States, 540.568.8081
Barbara A. Reisner
Affiliation:
[email protected], James Madison University, Department of Chemistry, MSC 4501, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 22812, United States
Kevin L. Caran
Affiliation:
[email protected], James Madison University, Department of Chemistry, MSC 4501, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 22812, United States
Get access

Abstract

Work has been underway at JMU in the Department of Chemistry through an NSF-NUE grant to develop an evolutionary approach to curriculum development across the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. Preliminary assessment data suggests that there exists a profound misunderstanding amongst graduating chemistry majors about basic aspects of nanotechnology as revealed by the NAI. Specifically, there are misconceptions about the sizes of and forces acting on the molecular-scale which is fundamental to any deep understanding of nanometer-scale phenomena. This is particularly alarming since senior-level undergraduate students majoring in chemistry should have a clearer understanding of molecular interactions than other STEM disciplines. A more careful, coordinated and sustained approach to teaching nanometer-scale phenomena must be undertaken in order to address these misconceptions and better prepare students the future workforce in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Keywords

nanoscalescanning probe microscopy (SPM)self-assembly
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 931: Symposium KK – Education in Nanoscience and Engineering , 2006 , 0931-KK01-05
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2006

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Rosei, F., J. Phys.-Cond. Mat. 16, 1373–1436 (2004).Google Scholar
2. Braun, E., Keren, K., Adv. Phys. 53, 441–496 (2004).Google Scholar
3. Weiss, R., “Nanotech is Booming Biggest in U.S., Report Says,” Washington Post, 3/28/2005 2005, pp. A06.Google Scholar
4. Weiss, R., “For Science, Nanotech Poses Big Unknowns,” Washington Post, 2/1/2004 2004, pp. A01.Google Scholar
5.National Science Foundation. (2004), http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf06308/. (accessed May 1, 2006)Google Scholar
6. Tretter, T. R., Jones, M. G., Ander, T., Negishi, A., Minogue, J., J. Res. Sci. Teach. 43, 282–319 (2006).Google Scholar
7. Gabel, D. K., Samuel, K. V., Hunn, D., J. Chem. Ed. 64, 695–697 (1987).Google Scholar
8.3rd Tech. Inc. (2006), http://www.3rdtech.com/NanoManipulator.htm. (accessed May 1, 2006)Google Scholar
9. Augustine, B. H.. (2006), “SPM Education Site” (http://csm.jmu.edu/spm). (accessed May 1, 2006)Google Scholar
10. Oda, R., Huc, I., Schmutz, M., Candau, S. J., MacKintosh, F. C., Nature 399, 566 (1999).Google Scholar
11. Berthier, D., Buffeteau, T., Legar, J.-M., Oda, R., Huc, I., J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 124, 13486 (2002).Google Scholar