Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology - Associate in Applied Science (AAS) (4690)
Nanofabrication technology is about working with small things. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter – and a sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick! A human hair is 80,000-100,000 nanometers in diameter.
Working with atoms and other nanoparticles requires a special lab or “clean room,” and special equipment like field-emission scanning electron microscopes.
If this area of science is of interest, you are at the right place. It is a growing science that needs skilled workers, and our Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology Program will prepare you to succeed in this challenging and rewarding career.
After graduating from our program, you will have the basic skills to become a clean room technician and be part of a team working for nanotechnology companies. This expanding field offers opportunities in the medical, biological, electronic, aerospace, government and private industries.
You are most likely to succeed in this field if you:
- Describe yourself as detail-oriented
- Are able to work on meticulous projects for extended periods of time
- Can follow strict safety guidelines
- Have problem-solving, project management, team building, research methods, IP awareness, report writing and presentation skills
- Communicate well and work well with others
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We partner with Penn State University in State College, Pa. to provide you with the knowledge, training and skills that you need for the nanotechnology field. You spend your few semesters at HACC being taught foundational skills in electronics, programming, physics and chemistry. which you then apply in your coursework at Penn State.
At Penn State's Nanotechnology Center at University Park, you'll work in a clean room setting, alongside research scientists and undergraduate students, with state-of-the-art lab testing equipment while taking courses covering the latest needs in nanofabrication technologies, production and manufacturing processes.
To be able to work in Penn State’s laboratory during your capstone term, you will need to:
- Complete three terms of background coursework at HACC
- Have a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA)
- Obtain a letter of recommendation from a HACC electronics faculty member
After graduating from our Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology Program, you will be able to:
- Assist a technical team in the clean-room environment
- Operate and maintain clean-room equipment
- Work in a micro- or nanofabrication environment
- Demonstrate proper safety when working in a chemical environment
- Demonstrate knowledge of clean-room procedures
- Identify global and ethical engineering issues
- View summaries of every course at HACC by browsing our class schedules database.
- Review our program guide (pdf) to view a list of required courses, recommended course sequencing and program competencies.
Yes! Although this program is designed to lead directly to employment, transfer opportunities are available. Our programs are designed to be flexible enough to transfer to a variety of four-year colleges and universities with no loss of credit. However, each individual college has its own unique program. Therefore, we encourage you to select a four-year school as soon as possible. This will allow you to learn the transfer college’s program requirements so that you can take the proper classes at HACC.
Your transfer options include:
You can complete the three terms at our Harrisburg Campus. However, to fulfill the program requirements, you will need to take more than 51% of your required coursework through multiple modalities (e.g. Blended, Online and/or Remote Learning).
Yes! Through the HACC Foundation, there are scholarships available. Please visit hacc.edu/scholarships for details and deadlines.
You can apply anytime by visiting our website. We offer classes in the spring, summer and fall. Please include program code 4690 with your application to ensure you apply to your intended program.
Future students, we are excited to connect with you and answer your questions. Please choose the option that works best for you to meet with us.
Current HACC students, please contact our Advising Department with any questions.