Bachelor’s degree in NanoEngineering NanoEngineering

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Duisburg Essen

Program Overview

The B.Sc. NanoEngineering programme is designed to prepare you from day one for a career in nanotechnology, one of the key technologies shaping our future. You'll gain a unique combination of foundational knowledge in natural and engineering sciences alongside specialized nanotechnology courses, all culminating in a mandatory industrial internship that gives you real-world experience before graduation.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Building Your Foundation

Your first year establishes the essential scientific framework you'll need throughout the program. You'll dive into fundamental chemistry courses covering states of matter, chemical bonding, and basic principles of reactions. You'll also explore the chemical elements and the periodic system, giving you a solid grasp of how matter behaves at different scales. These foundational courses ensure you have the language and concepts necessary to understand the more specialized nano-focused content that follows.

Year 2: Expanding Into Specialized Knowledge

In your second year, the curriculum begins bridging general engineering principles with nanotechnology applications. You'll study advanced concepts like acid-base reactions, redox reactions, and the fundamentals of electrochemistry, which form the basis for understanding nanoscale chemical processes. You'll also encounter practical laboratory work through courses like Nanoparticles and Colloids and Laser Material Processing Micro/Nano, where you apply theoretical knowledge to real experimental challenges.

Year 3: Mastering Nanoscale Systems

Your final year focuses on the cutting-edge physics and engineering of nanoscale systems. You'll explore one-dimensional systems like carbon nanotubes and their ballistic transport properties, nanoparticles and quantum dots with phenomena like Coulomb blockade, and layered structures including semiconductor heterostructures and magnetic sensors. This year culminates in your compulsory industrial practical activity, bridging your academic training with professional engineering practice.

Focus Areas

The program offers flexibility in specialization, allowing you to tailor your studies toward either Nano-Process-Technology (focusing on nanoparticle and nanostructure production) or NanoElectronics/NanoOptoelectronics (emphasizing nano systems design and applications).

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop mastery in applying scientific methods to solve complex nanoscale problems, the ability to analyze and improve these methods, and practical competency in both laboratory and industrial environments. You'll emerge capable of designing and optimizing nanotechnology processes and systems while understanding the broader engineering and business contexts of your work.

Professional Alignment

Upon completing your Bachelor's degree, you're positioned either for direct entry into the workforce or to continue into the consecutive, research-oriented M.Sc. NanoEngineering programme. The Master's program accepts graduates from NanoEngineering or related disciplines (Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or Chemistry) with a grade average of 2.5 or better, and culminates in the option to pursue doctoral studies (Dr.-Ing. or Dr. rer. nat.) for exceptional students.

Key Program Details

- Duration: 6 semesters (3 years)
- Credits: 180 ECTS
- Location: Campus Duisburg
- Language: German
- Start: Winter semester
- Admission: Unrestricted (no limited study places)

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In the BSc NanoEngineering program at the University of Duisburg-Essen on Campus Duisburg, you'll dive straight into hands-on learning from day one, building real-world skills in nanotechnology through cutting-edge labs and research facilities tied directly to the field. Our students get practical experience synthesizing nanomaterials, analyzing nanoscale structures, and developing energy applications, all in facilities like the NanoEnergieTechnikZentrum (NETZ) and ICAN that bridge lab work to industry prototypes. This setup means you're not just studying theory—you're working with the same tools top researchers use, preparing you for careers in nanoelectronics, energy tech, and beyond.

Here's what makes our experiential learning stand out, with access tailored to NanoEngineering students:
- State-of-the-art clean rooms at the Center for Semiconductor Technology and Optoelectronics (ZHO) for fabricating nanostructures and optoelectronic devices, right on Duisburg Campus.
- NETZ (NanoEnergieTechnikZentrum) for hands-on nanomaterial synthesis, processing, and scaling up to energy tech demonstrators—perfect for group projects on real applications.
- ICAN (Interdisciplinary Center for Analytics on the Nanoscale), a DFG-funded hub with advanced nanoscale analysis tools to study material properties and mechanisms in your experiments.
- Institute of Technology for Nanostructures (NST) labs on Campus Duisburg for practical work in nanostructure tech, led by experts like Prof. Roland Schmechel.
- Shared imaging and analytics facilities like IMCES, ICCE, and ACE for high-res precision tools in nanoscale imaging and material characterization.
- Central Scientific Laboratories and upcoming ACTIVE SITES research building (launching 2026) for collaborative projects in nanoscience and active site analysis.

These resources mean plenty of group projects in multidisciplinary teams, research internships through CENIDE's industry network, and field opportunities in nanoenergy and biotech—giving you a massive edge when applying. Imagine graduating with a portfolio of prototypes from NETZ that wows employers. Ready to apply? Head to the program page and get started—spots are open with no admission limits for qualified students.

Progression & Future Opportunities

In the BSc NanoEngineering program at the University of Duisburg-Essen on the Duisburg Campus, you'll dive straight into hands-on learning from day one, building real-world skills in nanotechnology through cutting-edge labs and facilities tied directly to our world-class research centers like CENIDE (Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen). Students work with state-of-the-art tools for nanomaterial synthesis, analysis, and energy applications, gaining practical experience in clean rooms, analytics centers, and interdisciplinary projects that bridge lab work to industry prototypes—all in facilities like the NanoEnergieTechnikZentrum (NETZ) and ICAN. This setup lets you experiment with processes like chemical vapor synthesis for nanoparticles used in photovoltaics, electronics, and sensors, preparing you for high-demand careers.

Here's a closer look at the key experiential learning opportunities specific to this program:
- Clean room at the Center for Semiconductor Technology and Optoelectronics (ZHO): Hands-on nanofabrication and optoelectronics work, with access for practical training in semiconductor tech—contact Prof. Dr. Nils Weimann on Lotharstraße 55, Duisburg Campus.
- NanoEnergieTechnikZentrum (NETZ): Full-chain projects from nanomaterial synthesis to scalable energy components, perfect for group-based engineering experiments in energy tech.
- Interdisciplinary Center for Analytics on the Nanoscale (ICAN): Advanced nanoscale analysis tools for material characterization, supporting lab projects that combine physics, chemistry, and engineering.
- IMCES and Rapid Technology Center: Facilities for rapid prototyping and materials processing, ideal for group projects turning nano concepts into real devices—on Lotharstr. 1, Duisburg.
- Central Scientific Laboratories: Core lab access on Essen Campus for foundational experiments in nano process technology and electronics.
- Institute of Technology for Nanostructures (NST): Dedicated research labs (Building BA, Bismarckstr. 81) for quantum effects and functional nanomaterials, fueling thesis and project work.