PhD in Applied Micro-and Nanosystems

Micro- and nanotechnology has become a very broad field, spanning everything from physics to materials science, chemistry, electronics and more.

How to apply

Programme information

Duration: 3 years
Campus: Vestfold
Teaching Language: English
Credits: 180
How to apply: How to apply

Admission requirements:

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Applicants must have an excellent command of written and spoken English (Norwegian or another Scandinavian language will be an advantage). Admission requires master's degree, with a grade of B or better at Masters level and B or better in Master's thesis.

Academic background:

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Applicants must hold a Master of Science degree in technology, electronics, bioelectronics or equivalent. Students currently enrolled in a master programme are also welcome to apply, but must expect to have earned their degree before the appointment begins.

About the programme

This programme educates scientists with broad knowledge in micro- and nano system technologies. This becomes an increasingly important part of our everyday life, in all sorts of "smart systems", for example sensors integrated into mobile phones, equipment for medical diagnosis, for monitoring the environment and for instrumentation in industrial processes.

Our focus areas

Ultrasound for medical, maritime and industrial use {{ icon }}

Tasks in design and fabrication/integration of ultrasound transducer, such as for imaging of internal organs or for surveying the seabed.

Read more about or ultrasoundlaboratory and research here: Ultrasound (norwegian presentation only)

Miniaturised energy sources {{ icon }}

Eg. energy harvesting from the environment to supply power to inaccessible systems (such as instrumentation on windmill blades or inside the tires).

Biomedical components {{ icon }}

For faster diagnosis, and implantable sensors for monitoring patient health.

High-frequency components {{ icon }}

Next-generation radio-, communications- and radar systems.

Micro-optics{{ icon }}

Thin polymer films for laser projectors and microlenses.

Measuring systems for demanding environments{{ icon }}

High operating temperatures (as in oil wells, aircraft engines or thermoelectric generators), low operating temperatures (as precision measurements at liquid-nitrogen temperatures), mechanical shock etc. sets requirements for fabrication methods that require solutions different from traditional technology.

Academically it builds on a broad range of engineering and science: Electronics, product design / engineering, material-learning, computer science and chemical processing and basic physics. The research training ranging from design and mathematical modelling with advanced software tools, the manufacturing and characterization of national leader clean room laboratories.

The laboratory at USN, along with complementary laboratories in Oslo and Trondheim, constitutes "NorFab" which is the Research Council's investment in infrastructure. The program is closely linked to industry cluster which exist regionally and nationally. This tight connection to the industry is unique among Norwegian PhD programmes.

The programme is part of the research school "Nano Network" with national labour, where USN's role is to focus on integrated, complete systems with direct industrial relevance.

Internationally, the academic environment is closely linked to leading research centres in Europe, North America and East Asia.

Academic content

The training component of the PhD program shall include courses, at least 30 credits, including a mandatory 5 credits course in Theory of Science and Ethics. A course description must be enclosed to the application. Individual curriculum can be approved as part of the training component (5 or 7,5 credits). A separate application form is to be submitted to the PhD coordinator.

Study Plan

A study plan describes the content, structure and organization of a study programme. To each study plan there is a set of subject plans that describes the different subjects. In the subject plan you will also find a reading list. Below you will find a study model that shows you which subjects that are taught each term. In the study model you'll also find links to each subject plan.

Latest published study plan for phd in applied micro-and nanosystems

Courses

PhD courses within the programme

We encourage you to take elective course at another institution. Note that all the courses must be approved by the programme board before attending. Change of course require an application – see our handbook and regulations for more information.

External students can apply for our elective courses. Contact the PhD Coordinator for assistance.