Master of Nanoengineering (MNAE)

About the MNAE ProgramThe Master of Nanoengineering (MNAE) is an on-campus and distance education program and is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in a science or engineering discipline who wish to pursue a graduate degree in nanoengineering. The field of nanoengineering is expected to revolutionize technology and improve quality of life, particularly as related to energy, environment, and health. Students will achieve an understanding of the fundamental advantages of nanoscale materials, devices, and systems. It is a 30-credit-hour degree program that does not require a thesis, final oral exam, or on-campus residency. GRE scores are recommended but not required. NC State has an existing strength in nanostructured materials and devices.
Admission Requirements
  • BS degree in science (i.e. chemistry or physics) or engineering from an accredited university with a minimum 3.0 GPA in their major.
  • GRE scores should be submitted if available and should not be more than two years old.
  • Three letters of recommendation from persons able to comment on the applicant’s qualifications for graduate study.
  • Official Transcript
  • Completion of a written statement outlining the student’s background, work experience, and a particular interest in nanoengineering.
  • The Graduate School requires that all international applicants take the TOEFL or IELTS examinations unless they have completed one year of study at a university in the U.S., Canada, or Great Britain. The exam must have been taken within two years for receipt of the application. Standard practices for admission of international students by NCSU graduate school will be followed.
  • Complete the online graduate application.
Degree Requirements
  • Completion of 30 graduate credit hours with an overall GPA of 3.0
  • Coursework must include 12 credit hours in core courses, a minimum of 12 credit hours in the area(s) of specialization, and 6 technical elective credit hours (e.g., in another area of specialization or in math).
  • A minimum of three courses are required to qualify for a concentration in one of three areas: materials science in nanoengineering, nanoelectronics and nanophotonics, and biomedical sciences in nanoengineering.
  • If the student is admitted to the nanoengineering program, a maximum of twelve hours taken as an NDS student from NC State or from another institution may apply toward the 30 credit hour requirement. However, courses taken from other universities must be approved.
  • No thesis or on-campus residency is required.
  • After a student has been admitted and enrolls for the first time, he/she is required to maintain continuous enrollment in each fall and spring semester until completion of the degree program. A student in good academic standing may request a leave of absence for good reasons from the Director of Graduate Program in Nanoengineering. The leave may not exceed two semesters.
  • A six-year time limit for completion is required.

Program Logistics
  • It is preferable to seek admission to the degree program as soon as possible to assure integration into the advising process. However, a person does not have to be admitted to the MNAE program to enroll in an on-campus or online credit course. Prior to applying to Graduate School, a qualified individual may enroll in graduate courses as a Non-Degree Studies (NDS) student. The NDS classification is designed for individuals who wish to undertake academic work but who are not currently admitted to a degree program. Those who wish to take only a few graduate courses and not pursue a degree do not need to apply for formal program admission to NC State University. However, students who wish to earn the degree must formally apply for admission to the Graduate School at http://www.ncsu.edu/grad. When completing the online application, please be sure to select the “Distance Track” version of the degree if you intend to pursue the degree via the Engineering Online network.
  • Online courses are the same as on-campus courses in terms of content, requirements, and academic rigor. On-campus class lectures are captured, digitized, and placed on the Internet for distance students to access at any time and from any location. Students must, however, follow the on-campus class schedule in terms of submitting homework and taking exams. Course assignments, lecture notes, and handouts are made available to distance students on the course website. All in-class exams must be proctored.
Residency RequirementNone.
How to ApplyComplete the graduate application