UAlbany NanoCollege and Siena College partner to launch joint nanotechnology educational initiative

(Nanowerk News) The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") of the University at Albany and Siena College ("Siena") today announced a unique collaborative educational initiative that will promote the transition of qualified Siena students into CNSE's graduate programs in nanoscale science and nanoscale engineering.
In a first-of-its-kind joint program between the two institutions, qualified Siena students majoring in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, physics, computer science or mathematics will have the opportunity to enroll in undergraduate lecture and laboratory courses at CNSE during their junior year. Earned credits will not only count toward their graduation at Siena, but also better position the students for admission into CNSE's master's and Ph.D. programs.
Siena students admitted to CNSE through this program will also have access to summer internships and semester-long research opportunities that provide another pathway into graduate-level programs at CNSE. The students will engage with CNSE's distinguished faculty and utilize the unparalleled technological resources at CNSE's $6.5 billion Albany NanoTech Complex, a world-class megaplex that is the most advanced research enterprise in the academic world.
"The UAlbany NanoCollege is delighted to partner with Siena College to offer Siena students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in pioneering nanoscale education and innovative, hands-on research," said CNSE Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Robert Geer. "This program presents Siena students with a novel pathway into the groundbreaking world of nanotechnology, from the promise and potential of important new applications to the growing complement of careers that are enabled by nanoscale know-how."
"Siena College is thrilled to collaborate with the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering to provide unprecedented educational opportunities to our students," said Siena College President Fr. Kevin Mullen, O.F.M., Ph.D. "This entree into CNSE's world-class educational and research environment supports the academic endeavors of Siena students, while giving them a competitive advantage as they pursue 21st century careers in the exciting field of nanotechnology."
The program will be overseen by Dr. James Castracane, Professor and Head of CNSE's Nanobioscience Constellation and Dr. Karen S. Quaal, Dean of the Siena College School of Science.
About CNSE
The UAlbany CNSE is the first college in the world dedicated to education, research, development, and deployment in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience, and nanoeconomics. CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex is the most advanced research enterprise of its kind at any university in the world. With over $6.5 billion in high-tech investments, the 800,000-square-foot complex attracts corporate partners from around the world and offers students a one-of-a-kind academic experience. The UAlbany NanoCollege houses the only fully-integrated, 300mm wafer, computer chip pilot prototyping and demonstration line within 80,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms. More than 2,500 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, and faculty work on site, from companies including IBM, AMD, GlobalFoundries, SEMATECH, Toshiba, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, ASML, Novellus Systems, Vistec Lithography and Atotech. An expansion currently in the planning stages is projected to increase the size of CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex to over 1,250,000 square feet of next-generation infrastructure housing over 105,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms and more than 3,750 scientists, researchers and engineers from CNSE and global corporations. For information, visitwww.cnse.albany.edu.
About Siena
Siena College is a learning community advancing the ideals of a liberal arts education, rooted in its identity as a Franciscan and Catholic college. Located in Loudonville, N.Y., two miles north of the state capital, the 176-acre beautiful, suburban campus is home to 3,000 undergraduates. Siena offers over 1,200 program combinations from 27 majors and 47 minor and certificate programs. Students engage in a highly personalized education where they are challenged in a way that prepares them for a lifetime of extraordinary achievement. For information, visit www.siena.edu.
Source: CNSE