- Nanoscience refers to the scientific phenomena that occur at sizes around a nanometer, which is one billionth of a meter. An example of scale is the walls of cells, which are five nanometers thick. Demand for graduates in nanotechnology has been increasing steadily, but currently, only a few universities offer degree programs.
- UNM's interdisciplinary Nanoscience and Microsystems Engineering degree program is offered jointly by the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering, evolving from the traditional disciplines of solid state physics, chemistry, biology, materials science and engineering.