Below is a compilation of the most frequently asked questions. Please also visit the webboard to read other Q& As and to post questions.

Q) What is nano engineering?

A) Nano is a scale. It is equal to one in a billion (10^-9 ). Nano engineering is, therefore, engineering at a very very small scale. At its most fundamental level, nano engineering involves the studies of engineering materials, such as metals and plastics, as well as biological materials, such as DNA. At its application level, nano engineering covers the use of nano-engineered materials in several engineering fields: automotive, biomedical, chemical, and electrical and electronic.

Q) I noticed that at the end of the second year, we must choose to follow either Nano or Bionano engineering. What's the difference between the two?

A) At the fundamental level, they are the same. But at the application level, they are not. Let me put this in an engineering way. If I let C = Chemical, B = Biomedical, and E = Electrical and electronic applications, then nano engineering is ~ C + E, whereas bionano engineering is ~ C + B. Note that I used the approximation symbol (~) instead of the definite one (=). Both tracks are multidisciplinary in nature.

Q) Do we get the same B. Eng degree?

A) Yes, like all other engineering disciplines offered by the Faculty of Engineering.

Q) Do I understand it right that I can totally ignore biology-related subjects in my final year? [ question from a would-be engineer who doesn't like biology]

A) No. Suppose you want to concentrate on nano-electronics , you still want to know what kind of devices you can safely insert into the human body or animals (e.g., to measure blood pressure level or to tag), or if any kind of encapsulation is needed to prevent harmful consequences to human cells. By the same token, if you want to focus on nano-chemistry , novel synthetic materials (e.g., coating for bone replacement parts) will have to go through the same consideration before actual human trial. In both cases, knowledge of biology is essential. However, if you are concerned with nanoelectronics and nanomagnetics used in your iPod, or nanocompounds used as mixture in cement for construction, then you don't have to worry much about biology, of course.

Q) So, this implies that if I'm a biology-oriented person, I still cannot totally ignore electronics or chemistry?

A) Correct. By understanding the available choices of electronic devices and synthetic materials, and their limitations, bio-nano engineers will be able to make, or help medical doctors make, informed decisions regarding the health of patients. The bio-nano engineering stream makes this possible. Thailand is competing with Singapore to be a medical hub in Asia , the bio-nano engineering stream will make Thailand -- and in the case of Singaporean students, Singapore -- more competitive. Expect lots of job offers from the health industry.

Q) Summarize the difference between the multidisciplinary nano engineering program and the other more traditional engineering disciplines.

A) Being multidisciplinary has its pros and cons. Comparing to other engineering disciplines, the nano engineering program offers students a broader outlook with understanding across several industries. On the other hand, the depth of knowledge of nano engineers is limited to one of device- or small-systems levels. However, like all other engineering disciplines, nano engineers will learn how to see problems in a top-down fashion and apply engineering know-how in order to solve them in a systematic, bottom-up fashion ,.

Q) Are there demands for nano engineers?

A) YES! I gave you an example of jobs in the health industry above. But there are many more industries that need this new type of engineers. Let me put this in perspective. Thailand grows rice and manufactures a lot of things for export. While we can be sure to a certain extent that we can depend on the agricultural sector, the same thing cannot be said about the manufacturing sector, which is the main consumer of engineer graduates. The manufacturing sector can no longer rely on labour-intensive type of manufacturing. They need to move up the value chain. They need nano engineers to add value to their products.

Q) Please give us an example.

A) I will give you many examples: cloths - add nano coating and you get shirts that are water repellant and can thus be worn several times between washes; tennis rackets - add carbon nanotubes and you get lighter yet more robust rackets; mobile phones - add nanoelectronics (remove microelectronics) and you get smaller phones that can take pictures; ceramic cups - add nano particles and you get china that does not break when dropped from the table; rice - add nano sensors and you can measure its humidity in a flash; cars - talk to an BMW engineer and you'll realize the multitude of micro- and nano-mechanical systems already in use. Name a product, the nano engineers can sure be of help. In short, if you manufacture, you need nano engineers. As a consequence, the demand for nano engineers will increase exponentially, in Thailand and all over the world.

Q) Where can I go to further my studies?

A) After graduating, students will be able to continue their education at the master or doctoral level at Chulalongkorn or other university overseas if they so wish. The background provided will prepare the students for many, more specialized fields in traditional engineering disciplines, such as electrical or chemical engineering, or in a non-traditional one such as bioelectronics.

Q) Why is the nano engineering program an international program (taught in English) and not a typical program (taught in Thai) like the others?

A) Because it's international : the students are from Thailand and abroad.

Q) Who are the lecturers in this program?

A) They are principally Chulalongkorn faculty members from the following faculties: engineering, science, pharmaceutical, and medical. In addition, there are guest lecturers from the industry and from overseas in specialized courses given in the 4 th year.

Q) Are there any scholarships available?
A) There are two types of scholarships available. One given by the University, and the other given by the private sector. More details will be given in due course.

Q) Sum up the nano engineering program in one minute.

A) Nano engineering is a truly multidisciplinary field. The interaction among several scientific and engineering fields is inevitable and the students will come out of this program as engineers who are relatively more open-minded and flexible than other types of engineers. And they know how to increase the value of any materials they touch!