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Dec 08, 2025
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2025-2026 Academic Catalog
Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, PhD
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 Return to: Graduate Studies
Contact Information
Dr. Steve Smith, Professor
Nanoscience & Biomedical Engineering
Office: EP 220 (Electrical Engineering and Physics)
Phone: (605) 394-5268
E-mail: Steve.Smith@sdsmt.edu
Department Website
Students are responsible for checking with their advisors for any program modifications that may occur after the publication of this catalog.
PhD in Nanoscience and Nanoengineering
Nanoscience and Nanoengineering refer to fields of science and engineering with a focus on visualizing, manipulating and delineating the laws governing all phases of matter on the scale of one billionth of a meter, roughly one hundred thousandth the diameter of a human hair. Nanotechnology refers to the specific technologies enabled by Nanoscience and Nanoengineering. The Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (Nano SE) PhD program offers a research-intensive degree focused on nanoscience and nanoengineering, with an emphasis on visualizing, manipulating and understanding nano-scale materials, nano-bio systems, and phenomena which define nanotechnology.
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Distribution of credits
Core requirements: 13 credits
Research requirements: 26-36 credits
Elective requirements: 23-33 credits
Total credits: 72 At least 40 of the required 72 credits must be taken at the 600 level or above. Students may apply 24 coursework credits from a previous MS degree in a relevant discipline toward the PhD requirements, subject to approval by the student’s committee. Core requirements
The Nano SE PhD program builds on traditional science and engineering disciplines, and offers a “core” curriculum which introduces students from varying science and engineering backgrounds to contemporary topics in nanoscience and nanoengineering. These “core” courses are intended to introduce students to contemporary topics in nanoscience and nanoengineering, and to initiate a cross-disciplinary approach to research and learning. These courses can usually be completed in one, or at most two years. More information is available in the Nanoscience and Biomedical Engineering Graduate Handbook. Research requirements
The completion of a doctoral dissertation, approved by the student’s graduate committee and the Dean of Graduate Education, is required for this degree. Elective requirements
Students, after consultation with their advisor, select graduate level electives which provide a framework upon which the PhD is based. Between 23-33 credits of electives are required. The following is a list of currently approved NANO electives. Other graduate level courses approved by the student’s graduate committee may also be counted as electives. All courses on the program of study must be approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee. More information is available in the Nanoscience and Biomedical Engineering Graduate Handbook. Examinations
Detailed information on examination policy, admission to candidacy, and defense of dissertation are included in the School of Mines’ Nanoscience and Biomedical Engineering Graduate Handbook and in the Graduate Education Policies GEP VIII. PhD Degree Requirements . Qualifying examination
The qualifying examination has two components to demonstrate the student’s aptitude for doctoral work: 1) proficiency in the foundational material of the discipline and 2) necessary skills and drive for advanced research. The format and timing of the examination are set by each program, but it must be completed within the first two years of study. Admission to candidacy
PhD students must prepare a dissertation prospectus, which is a plan describing the proposed content and format of the dissertation in sufficient detail for the student’s graduate committee to evaluate whether the scope and value of the work warrants a PhD degree. The student is admitted to candidacy upon approval of the prospectus by the committee. The format and timing of the prospectus is set by each program, but it must be completed no later than two years after the qualifying exam. Dissertation defense
A dissertation defense and a final oral examination are required for this degree. Objectives and Outcomes
Program Objectives: - The Nanoscience and Nanoengineering PhD program offers a research-intensive degree focused on nanoscience and nanotechnology, with current emphases in nano-electronics and nano-photonics; nano-imaging and bio-nanotechnology; and nano-composites and their applications.
Student Outcomes: - Students in the program will address contemporary challenges in nanoscience and nanoengineering or a closely aligned field
- Students in the program will demonstrate cognizance and understanding of the relevant scientific and technical literature.
- Students in the program will demonstrate significant accomplishments in the relevant methods, tools, and theory pertaining to their chosen research topic, and attain the appropriate level in written and oral communication to clearly convey their findings.
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Return to: Graduate Studies
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