NanoTechnology Technician Education

The project is developing and implementing a Nanotechnology Technician Education degree program by adapting existing curricula and developing new curricula. The program is a third degree track in the college's Advanced Manufacturing Technology degree program. The other two tracks are Manufacturing Engineering Technology and Polymer Manufacturing Technology. The new degree option is strongly supported by regional organizations and industry. The 42 project partners include 29 industry partners who are supporting curriculum development and/or are providing internship and employment opportunities for students. In addition to developing new curricula for this program, the college is adapting elements of a nanotechnology undergraduate program developed by project partner University of Virginia, which is also providing training equipment and curriculum development support. The primary audience for the new program is graduating high school seniors, as well as local adult workers who are seeking career re-training due to loss of a great number of the region's traditional jobs in textiles manufacturing and tobacco. The Nanotechnology Education degree program is managed by Danville Community College's Workforce Services and housed in its Regional Center for Advanced Technology and Training, a new 24,000-square-foot high-tech facility designed to support high-level scientific training programs such as nanotechnology education.