“The emerging fields of nanoscience and nanoengineering are leading to unprecedented understanding and control over the fundamental building blocks of all physical things. This is likely to change the way almost everything — from vaccines to computers to automobile tires to objects not yet imagined — is designed and made.”
— National Science and Technology Council Committee on Technology

Nanotechnology. It has the ring of science fiction, but it’s a developing career path so dynamic that it has been identified by the U.S. Department of Labor as one of the country’s top three emerging technologies over the next decade. Still in its relative infancy — little more than a decade old — nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize science as we know it.

So how do you know if it should be part of your future? If you are already in or considering a career path in a science- or manufacturing-related field — including chemistry, biology, physics, medicine, engineering, electronics, telecommunications or semiconductor manufacturing — you should look at getting a foundation in the applications of nanotechnology.

The ability to earn a degree in nanotechnology is relatively new, with Richland College offering one of the few associate degrees in the area. Several Texas universities and colleges offer bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees with an emphasis in nanotechnology.

What Is Nanotechnology?

In simplest terms, nanotechnology is a field of related sciences in which everything operates on an incredibly small scale. Nanotechnology and nanoscience deal with structures having dimensions of between one and 100 nanometers — devices approximately 1,000 times smaller than are visible to the human eye.

The technology not only allows for the fabrication of structures and devices having molecular dimensions, but for the production of entirely new physical or chemical properties that emerge at such a size. But just how small is a nanometer?

To get an idea of the units of measure involved:

How Is Nanotechnology Used?

Though much of today’s nanotechnology is still in the research and development phase, developments for the near future will have dramatic applications in such diverse fields as medicine, information technology, manufacturing and national defense.

The technology of the very small will have a huge impact on job growth and career opportunities, with the National Science Foundation (NSF) estimating that the worldwide need for nanotechnology workers will rise from the current 20,000 to 2 million.

In fact, the industry and its applications are expanding so rapidly that the U.S. Department of Labor’s Career Voyages for in-demand occupations has named nanotechnology one of the nation’s three top emerging industries along with geospatial technology (which includes Geographic Information Systems) and Biotechnology — both of which are also offered at DCCCD colleges.

Learn more about nanotechnology and its current and future applications:

Nanotechnology Associate in Applied Sciences Degree

Richland College offers DCCCD’s only program in Nanotechnology, with a Nanotechnology Associate in Applied Sciences degree. This two-year degree prepares students to perform the duties of an entry-level nanotechnician in research and development and in manufacturing industries.

Individual courses in Nanotechnology are also useful to students who are pursuing an education in engineering, electronics, semiconductor manufacturing or biotechnology, among other scientific fields.

Other Degree and Certificate Options

Dallas County Community College District offers nearly 350 career and technical degrees and certificates, plus 36 academic degrees. For more information, see a chart of our degree plans by location.