Nanotechnology

Think small, very small. A nanometer is only one billionth of a meter, but hidden in such a tiny unit is big potential. As you'll learn if you choose this major, materials and machines built at the nanoscale behave in unexpected ways. Because of this, the possibilities for innovation are endless: Researchers are working on nanomaterials that can repair themselves. And doctors might someday install nanoscale machines in patients’ bodies that help them see, move, and heal.

Nanotechnology may be at the cutting edge of science, but Mother Nature has been working at the nanoscale for billions of years. Tiny biological "machines" keep living things alive. For example, molecular motors within cells help you flex your muscles and help plants convert sunlight into energy.