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Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (Leuven

et al)
Master of Science
The word Nanoscience refers to the study, manipulation and engineering of matter, particles and structures
on the nanometer scale. Nanotechnology is the application of nanoscience leading to the use of new
nanomaterials and nanosize components in useful products.
KU Leuven offers this joint Erasmus Mundus Master together with universities in Barcelona (Spain),
Chalmers (Sweden), Grenoble (France) and Dresden (Germany).
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Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (start

2018-2019) (120 ECTS)
Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
(programme being phased out, no new enrolments) (120 ECTS)

Education

What’s the Erasmus Mundus Master of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology all Key information
about? Location
Within the Erasmus Mundus framework, four leading educational institutions in Europe offer a joint Erasmus Mundus Leuven et al.
Master of Science in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. The partner institutions are:
Ects + duration
KU Leuven, Belgium (Coordinator) 120 ECTS (2 years full-time)
Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
Educational level
Chalmers, Tekniska Högskola, Sweden
Master’s
Université Grenoble Alpes, France
Technische Universität Dresden, Germany Academic calendar
1st semester: end of September -> end
The word Nanoscience refers to the study, manipulation and engineering of matter, particles and structures on the
of January (exams in January)
nanometer scale (one millionth of a millimeter, the scale of atoms and molecules). Important properties of materials, such
as the electrical, optical, thermal and mechanical properties, are determined by the way molecules and atoms assemble 2nd semester: half of February -> end
on the nanoscale into larger structures. Moreover, on a nanometer scale, structures’ properties are often different then on of June (exams in June)
a macro scale because quantum mechanical effects become important.
KU Leuven academic calendar
Nanotechnology is the application of nanoscience leading to the use of new nanomaterials and nanosize components in
useful products. Nanotechnology will eventually provide us with the ability to design custom-made materials and products Applying
with new enhanced properties, new nanoelectronic components, new types of ‘smart’ medicines and sensors, and even Application deadline
interfaces between electronics and biological systems. 31 January (for non-EEA citizens)
1 June (for EEA citizens)
Structure How to apply
www.kuleuven.be/application
In the first stage of the programme all students study at the coordinating institution, where they take a set of fundamental
courses (max 12 credits) to give them a common starting basis, general interest courses (6-9 credits), a compulsory Tuition fee 2018-2019
common block of core courses (36 credits), and already a profiling block of elective courses (min 6 credits) which prepares €9,000 for Partner country students
them for their specialisation area. In the second stage the students take a compulsory set of specialising courses (15 €1,500 for Program country students
credits), depending on their chosen specialisation area, combined with a set of elective broadening courses (15 credits),
and do their Master’s thesis research project (30 credits). Chalmers offers the second year specialisation options of Chat with our students
Nanophysics and Nanoelectronics. TU Dresden offers the options Biophysics and Nanoelectronics, and Université Student Ambassadors
Grenoble Alpes offers the options Nanophysics, Nanochemistry and Nanobiotechnology.
Open days
The programme contains the following educational modules:
Meet us in Belgium
The fundamental courses (max. 12 credits) introduce the students to relevant disciplines in which they have had no Meet us abroad
or little training during their Bachelor’s. If a student does not need any or all of the fundamental courses, he/she may use
the remaining credits to take more elective courses from the broadening course modules. Programme website
The general interest courses (6-9 credits) are imparting non-technical skills to the students, in domains such as www.emm-nano.org
management, economics, languages, quality management, ethics, psychology, etc. A Dutch language and culture
course is compulsory for all the students.
The core courses (36 credits) contain first of all five compulsory courses focusing on the thorough basic education
within the main disciplines of the Master: nanophysics, nanochemistry, nanoelectronics and nanobiochemistry. All
students also have to take one out of two available practical courses where they learn to carry out some practical
experimental work, which takes places in small teams. Also part of the Core courses is the Lecture Series on
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, which is a serie of seminars (14-18 per year) on various topics related to nanoscience
 and nanotechnology, given by national and international guest speakers.
The specific courses (min. 21 credits) are courses of the specialising option aimed to deepen the student’s
competences. The students can choose 6-18 credits elective profiling programme units in the first year at the KU Leuven
from three course modules. Then in the second year university the students take 15 credits compulsory courses at their
second year location on their selected specialisation. They can also choose to do an industrial internship on a
nanoscience or nanotechnology related topic at a nanotechnology company or research institute.
The broadening courses (15 credits) are courses from the other options of the Master’s programme, which allow the
students to broaden their scope beyond the chosen specialisation. Students can choose from a large set of program
units offered at the second year university.
The Master’s thesis (30 credits) is intended to bring the students in close and active contact with a multidisciplinary
research environment. The research project always takes place at the second year partner university and is finalised with
a written thesis report and a public presentation. Each Master’s thesis has a promotor from the local university and a
promotor from KU Leuven.
The EMM-Nano programme is truly integrated, with a strong research backbone and an important international scope. The
objective of the programme is to provide a top quality multidisciplinary education in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Strengths

The programme is strongly research-oriented and is largely based on research of centers such as imec in Belgium,
CEA-LETI in France and Leibniz Institute for Solid State Materials Research in Germany. These institutions are worldwide
research leaders in nanoscience and nanotechnology and provide access to world-class infrastructure for
nanotechnology research and development as well as opportunities for graduating students to continue their studies with
a PhD. They are associated partners in the consortium. This strong link between education and research ensures a
contemporary program at the cutting edge of state-of-the-art research.
A limited number of scholarships for both European and non-European students are funded by the European
Commission. There are scholarships funded by the EU-Commission for non-EEA students whereas the consortium funds
a limited number of its own grants. The number of grants and the amount of the grant is decided on an annual basis.
The programme is strongly connected to the latest innovations in the field. The courses are continuously updated
following the progress of science and technology in this young and highly innovative field. Furthermore, students will
spend one quarter of the study programme elaborating their own research project in the context of their Master’s thesis.
There is ample opportunity to take elective courses, either to increase their level of proficiency, or to broaden their
horizon, according to their own interest.
The programme offers a broad education covering all aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology where the students
are acquiring the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes, with on one hand a strong horizontal multidisciplinary
core education, in the various underlying disciplines, and on the other hand a more vertical specialisation in one
specific subfield of nanoscience and nanotechnology. All this is realised in a programme with a strong international
dimension. The programme is well structured with choice of several subdisciplines as specialisation options which allows
for individual tuning of the students study programme to their individual interest. Course content builds on one another
throughout the programme.
The programme sufficiently refers to specific current situations and relevant problems, and can be considered as state-
of-the-art. It gives a broad multidisciplinary education with sufficient attention to theoretical foundation. Each year a
number of company visits is organised in the second semester to expose students to the type of companies in which
they can find jobs (Holst Centre, Melexis, Europlasma, Solvay, On Semiconductor, ASML, etc.)
The Erasmus Mundus label gives prestige to the programme, and promotes European education and research; it
allows attracting the best students from all over the world (brain magnet), gives a strong international dimension to
both the Erasmus Mundus and the local Master’s programmes and guarantees that the education closely follows the
international leading research of the contributing universities.
The expertise of the professors and assistants is an asset of the programme. The research infrastructure and the
contributing faculties are state-of-the-art. The link, both in teaching and in research, to a world renowned research
organisation in the field of Nanotechnology such as imec adds to the uniqueness of the programmes.

Application deadline for 2019-2020

31 January 2019 (for non-EEA citizens)

1 June 2019 (for EEA citizens)

KU Leuven uses an online application system. You can download and submit your application form via
www.kuleuven.be/application. Students with a Flemish degree can consult www.kuleuven.be/inschrijven.

Tuition Fee

€9,000 for Partner country students

€1,500 for Program country students.

Tuition fee can be waived down to €1,500/year (Partner country students, except those going to Chalmers) or €900
/year (Program country students).

Partner countries are all countries, except the EU Member States and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM),
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Turkey.

Program countries are the 28 EU Member States and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Iceland,
Liechtenstein, Norway and Turkey.

More information on the tuition fee can be found here.

Master mind

Excellent students who are eligible for a Master Mind Scholarship are invited to submit their application before 1
February 2019.

Profile
Is this the right programme for me?
You have strong analytic, synthetic and interpretive capabilities and a clear interest in both fundamental sciences as well
as technological problems. You should be able to understand a large variety of problems and to translate them into an
abstract academic level, to crosslink knowledge from a variety of scientific disciplines, to form a personal and independent
opinion and to transmit it to others. You should show a strong interest in scientific and/or technological problems, be
interested in how and why systems function and have a clear sense of the societal and psychological relevance of
technology and its implications upon society.

From your Bachelor's education, you should have acquired a basic knowledge of mathematics (including advanced
algebra and differential equations), physics, chemistry and electronics. If you are missing some of this background,
introductory fundamental courses are offered to acquire this knowledge within the Master's programme. Knowledge of cell
biology and biochemistry, molecular and atomic architecture, materials science and electromagnetism are considered as
asset. Moreover, you are able to demonstrate excellence in your previous study results, as well as sufficient knowledge of
English.

In general, you have a capacity to think in a mathematical-analytical way and have a strong interest in technology. You are
fascinated by the relationship between science and technology, are eager and prepared to learn autonomously, are willing
to work hard and show perseverance, entrepreneurship and creativity.

The programme aims at forming engineers who are able to design novel materials, devices, circuits, processes and
products that are based on novel and special properties that are active at nanometer scale. The application areas are very
broad going from nanoelectronics to bionanotechnological applications. Key in the education is its multidisciplinary
character, and one of the aims of the programme is to enable students to cross the boundaries of various technological
disciplines and create novel applications and products at the interface between these disciplines.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (Leuven et al)

Career perspectives

Career perspectives
In the coming decades, nanoscience and nanotechnology will undoubtedly become the driving force for a new set of
products, systems, and applications. These disciplines are even expected to form the basis for a new industrial revolution.

Within a few years, nanoscience applications are expected to impact virtually every technological sector and ultimately
many aspects of our daily life. In the coming five-to-ten years, many new products and companies will emerge based on
nanotechnology and nanosciences. These new products will stem from the knowledge developed at the interface of the
various scientific disciplines offered in the EMM-Nano programme.

Thus, EMM-Nano graduates will find a wealth of career opportunities in the sectors and industries developing these new
technologies: electronics, new and smart materials, chemical technology, biotechnology, R&D, independent consultancies
and more. Graduates have an ideal background to become the invaluable interface between these areas and will be able
to apply their broad perspective on nanoscience and nanotechnology to the development and creation of new products
and even new companies.

Start your career, during your studies

During your bachelor's and master's programme you can already shape your own profile by choosing a certain
specialisation, studying abroad (Erasmus), doing a work placement, or starting your own business.

The Student Career Centre is happy to put you on the right track towards your first work experience. The centre also
coaches you in the search for an interesting job and helps you with job interviews. For students wanting to start their own
business KU Leuven also has Lcie, the KU Leuven community that encourages students with innovative and
entrepreneurial ideas.

Don’t know where to start? The Student Career Centre's databases contain offers for jobs, volunteer work, innovation
projects and student jobs. You can also visit one of the events organised by the Career Centre.

Contact

Faculty of Engineering Science

Kasteelpark Arenberg 1 box 2200
3001 HEVERLEE, Belgium
tel. + 32 16 32 13 50
fax + 32 16 32 19 82
info@eng.kuleuven.be

Programme director
Prof. B. Sorée
E-mail: B. Sorée
Tel. +32 16 28 80 33

Visit the programme's website.

General
Study Advice Service
Naamsestraat 80 box 5415
3000 LEUVEN, Belgium
To contact us, please complete the contact form on our website.

Objectives

Objectives for the new programme (intake students as from academic year 2018-2019):

21 learning outcomes have been defined, classified in the following 7 categories that are based on the ACQA (Academic
Compentences and Quality Assurance) requirements for engineering education, which are in its turn based on the Dublin
descriptors for European academic education:

1) Competent in one or more scientific disciplines

1. Graduates master Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at an advanced academic level.

Because Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary field, this means mastery of general principles in
physics, chemistry, electronics and biology that play a role at the nanometre scale, insight into the materials and
experimental techniques that can be used on the nanoscale and their limitations, as well as skills in the field of theoretical
analysis, fabrication, simulation and modelling. Graduates of the programme will possess a thorough knowledge of the
basic underlying disciplines of nanoscience, nanotechnology and nanoengineering:
material physics, devices and technologies for nanoelectronic applications and a clear view on the evolution of these
applications in future
physics, chemistry and biochemistry at nanometer scale
electronic, optical, mechanical and thermodynamic qualities of metals, semiconductors and insulators
physics and technology for building nanoelectronic and optoelectronic systems, electronic and optical interconnection
technology for high speed and high pin count, packaging technology, thermal management in electronic systems and
system-in-a-package
structure, stability, folding and conformational dynamics of nanostructured biomolecules and their industrial
applications
chemical methods for preparing and characterizing nanostructured materials and supramolecular systems (molecular
devices) and the properties of these materials and systems.
mesoscopic properties which appear when the size of a system becomes comparable to characteristic physical length
scales, and an understanding of how mesoscopic effects can be manipulated and controlled.
Drug delivery and pharmacology at nanometer scale

2. Graduates are competent in at least one specialisation discipline and broadening knowledge in other areas of
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

In-depth knowledge of at least one specialization area within the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology, such that the
international research literature can be understood and that novel applications and products can be developed. Graduates
of the programme will possess specialized knowledge in one of the following domains: Nanomaterials, Nanochemistry,
Organic and molecular electronics, Quantum engineering, Quantum computing, Nanoelectronics, Biophysics,
Nanobiotechnology and Nanopharmacology.
Broadening knowledge on the other areas outside the own specialization to ensure a broad view of the students to the
total field of nanoscience and nanotechnology

3. Graduates are able to apply knowledge from various domains and specializations in a creative way, expand it, deepen it
and integrate it in functional systems:
will possess a thorough knowledge of the methods used in technological problem solving and design.
will have an understanding of the formation of complex macro-systems which are unique in their operations and
possess new functionalities.
are capable of thinking and acting across the boundaries of the underlying disciplines (physics, electronics, chemistry,
biology).

2) Competent in conducting research

4. Graduates possess the ability to systematically acquire and critically assess the scientific value and relevance of the
state-of-the-art, related to nanoscience and nanotechnology.

5. Graduates possess the capability to analyse complex problems, define problem statements and formulate clearly
structured research questions with the correct level of abstraction.

6. Graduates have the ability to assimilate existing and new concepts, methodologies and research results and apply
them in an academic or industrial research environment.

3) Competent in designing

7. Graduates possess the expertise to use and combine the various disciplines of nanoscience and nanotechnology to
formulate new research questions based on a design problem
8. Graduates can use acquired skills and knowledge to solve design problems by developing new models, (bio-)
materials, devices, integrated circuits and systems while taking into account relevant boundary conditions

9. Graduates have the skill to independently take decisions related to the design, and to justify and evaluate these in a
systematic manner

4) A scientific approach

10. Graduates possess a broad analytical, integrating, and problem-solving mind and are able to combine knowledge
from nanotechnology and related domains.

11. Graduates can select and process the most suitable information sources (scientific literature, internet, workshops,
conferences, experimental data, and professional networks)

12. Graduates can evaluate, select and exploit advanced scientific models, including the system/process model and
boundary conditions, with the appropriate level of complexity for the specific application.

13. Graduates possess the correct attitudes to continuously adapt in a knowledge based society and to learn new
technologies.

5) Basic intellectual skills

14. Graduates can reflect autonomously on a variation of different problems related to nanoscience and nanotechnology

15. Graduates have a critical-constructive attitude with respect to new discoveries and developments encountered in the
scientific literature and in their own research.

16. Graduates have the capability of developing and defending opinions about their field, based on objective
argumentations

6) Competent in collaboration and communication

17. Graduates have experience in communication, both written and orally, with experts and non-experts about their own
research and design results

18. Graduates can co-operate and manage projects in a (multidisciplinary) team: distribute and assume responsibilities,
observe time and resource constraints, document project progress and results

7) Takes the temporal and social context into account

19. Graduates are able to function within a context of social, economic and environmental boundary conditions as well as
in an international context

20. Graduates are aware of their societal, ethical and ecological responsibility and act on it.

21. Graduates are aware of the challenges, risks and promises of nanotechnological developments.

Objectives for the current programme (no new enrolments as from academic year 2018-2019):

The level defining descriptors of a master's programme, leading to the degree of master, as mentioned in article II.141 of
the Code Higher Education and in article 6 of the decree of 30 April 2009 regarding the Flemish qualification structure:
a) general competences at an advanced level such as the ability to reason and act in an academic manner, the ability to
handle complex problems, the ability to reflect on one's own thoughts and work, and the ability to convert this reflection
into the development of more effective solutions, the ability to communicate one's own research and solutions to
professional colleagues and laymen, and the ability to develop an opinion in an uncertain context;
b) general academic competences at an advanced level such as the ability to apply research methods and techniques, the
ability to design research, the ability to apply paradigms in the domain of the sciences or the arts and the ability to indicate
the limits of paradigms, originality and creativity regarding the continuously expanding body of knowledge and insight, and
the ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment;
c) advanced understanding and insight in scientific, discipline- specific knowledge inherent to a certain domain of the
sciences or the arts, insight in the most recent knowledge in the subject/discipline or parts of it, the ability to follow and
interpret the direction in which theory formation is developing, the ability to make an original contribution towards the body
of knowledge of one or several parts of the subject/discipline, and display specific competences characteristic for the
subject/discipline such as designing, researching, analyzing and diagnosing;
d) the competences needed for either independent research or the independent practice of the arts at the level of a newly-
qualified researcher (in the arts), or the general and specific professional competences needed for independent application
of academic or artistic knowledge at the level of a newly-qualified professional.
A master's programme is concluded by a master's thesis of which the workload, expressed in credits, amounts to at least
one fifth of the total number of credits in the programme of study, and consists of at least fifteen credits and at most thirty
credits.

Scope
The Master of Science (120 credits) is awarded after the student has completed the courses required to gain 120 credits
with a defined specialization determined by the higher education institutions. The student obtains the joint Master diploma
if he/she has obtained minimum 120 credits in total and minimum 54 credits at each of both universities where he/she is
following the program.

Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

For a Master of Science (120 credits) the student shall have:
- demonstrated knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a
considerable degree of specialized knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and
development work, and
- demonstrated specialized methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills

For a Master of Science (120 credits) the student shall have:
- demonstrated the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyze, assess and deal with complex
phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
- demonstrated the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and,
using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the
formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
- demonstrated the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report clearly and discuss his or her
conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
- demonstrated the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some
other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach

For a Master of Science (120 credits) the student shall have:
- demonstrated the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and
ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
- demonstrated insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the
individual for how it is used, and
- demonstrated the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing
learning.

Independent project
A requirement for the award of a Master of Science (120 credits) is completion by the student of an independent project for
at least 30 credits in the main field of study.

Aims and attainment targets of the master program Nanoscience and nanotechnology:
The overall objective of the programme is to provide every student with both a broad common multidisciplinary basis and a
personalized top-level specialisation in a certain area of nanoscience or nanotechnology.

By the end of the programme, you will possess:

- thorough knowledge of the general principles of physics, chemistry, electronics and biology that play a role on the
nanometer scale;
- insight into the materials, fabrication and other experimental techniques that can be used on the nanoscale, as well as
their limitations;
- understanding of the formation of complex macro systems which are unique in their operations and possess new
functionalities;
- in-depth knowledge of at least one specialisation area within the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology;
- proficiency in translating this knowledge into useful technological applications;
- extensive analytic and synthetic problem-solving capacities;
- sufficient scientific background to undertake research.

Upon the completion of the two-year cycle, successful students will be awarded a joint Master's degree. In addition, the
EMM-Nano consortium furnishes a joint degree supplement providing a description of the nature and level of the
programme followed.

Direct:
Master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: logistiek en verkeer (Leuven)
Master of Engineering: Logistics and Traffic (Leuven)

When allowed:
Master of Welding Engineering (Sint-Katelijne-Waver)

Admission requirements

Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (start 2018-2019) (Leuven et al)
Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (programme being phased out as from 2018-
2019, no new enrolments) (Leuven et al)

In the context of the wellbeing law certain data must be stored for each student and they must be informed timely on the
subject of:
 the risks to which the student is exposed during the study programme (practicals, traineeships, master's theses,…)
the associated preventive measures for each risk, such as medical follow-up, personal protective equipment and
instructions.
The risks and preventive measures are collected in the HSE-file for students. Through this link you can consult the HSE-
file. The HSE-file will be used for traineeships and/or master’s theses. For more information about traineeships, we refer to
the following site: traineeship.. For questions, please contact the HSE Department.

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