Materials & Nanoscience
Available as a concentration
Materials and nanoscience marries chemistry and physics to make discoveries at the molecular level.
As a student in materials and nanoscience, you'll expand your studies by exploring the frontiers of basic physical science at the atomic and molecular levels. This interdisciplinary concentration will benefit students who wish to continue their educations in the field of nanotechnology at the graduate level.
Curriculum & Courses
Sample Course Offerings
PHYS-250 Introduction to Nanomaterials
PHYS-450 Physics of Materials
CHEM-260 Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry
Student Experiences
Students learn value of community outreach through work in schools
Members of the Society of Physics Students have been working with local elementary school students through an after-school STEM program. "We hope that getting kids excited about exploring science and math will help keep them engaged in their STEM classes," said club member Morgan Heckman '19. The opportunity to run this program has also been an educational experience for club members. "Learning how to communicate and foster excitement about STEM is a necessary skill for anyone in the STEM fields. Kids helps us find ways to do this more effectively, and their enthusiasm can be infectious."
Lambert receives Goldwater Scholarship – the preeminent undergraduate science scholarship
William "Liam" Lambert '19, a double major in physics and math, was awarded a prestigious Goldwater Scholarship, the preeminent undergraduate science scholarship. The 2018 Goldwater Scholars were selected based on academic merit from a field of 1,280 natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering students from over 2,000 colleges and universities nationwide. Lambert receives a membership to the American Physical Society and the organization featured his Goldwater award and covered his research.
What Makes Roanoke Different?
Peering into the nano world
The Physics Group has purchased a high-resolution atomic force microscope (AFM). This instrument can produce high-resolution images of structures that are 1,000 times smaller than a human hair. Physics students and faculty use the AFM for mapping micro and nanostructures, studying surface properties of thin films, and manipulating matter at the nanoscale.
Learn by Doing
We offer many firsthand learning opportunities for our students.
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Roanoke College students choose from multiple pathways into research, whether they want to assist a professor with a semester-long project, spend a summer conducting research on or off campus, travel overseas, or even dedicate all four years of their college experience to working with a faculty mentor.
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Many students expand their knowledge and skill sets through internship experiences off-campus. This type of introduction to working in the field is very beneficial for students interested in getting jobs in the public sector after college.
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Independent Study
Completing an Independent Study project is an excellent way to provide students with a specialized study in a particular area of study.
Many opportunities for independent study
Nanotechnology: Daniel Ballou synthesized Goethite nanotubes.
Material Science: Anne Kyner analyzed Mossbauer data from planet Mars.
Careers & Outcomes
Our grads go on to great graduate programs.
Three students in Roanoke College's materials and nanoscience program won Goldwater scholarships or honorable mentions in recent years.
News
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New research, media recognition, and a spotlight on student-faculty research. Catch up on the latest news from Roanoke College faculty.
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The awards recognize professors for outstanding work in service and teaching.
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Your faculty and staff are contributing to important conversations across disciplines. Check out some of their latest achievements.
