Study the discovery, design, and use of materials, while gaining a fuller understanding of how small-scale nanoscience is making big leaps in materials technology and innovation.
Don't sweat the big stuff.
Dive into the world of nanoparticles and learn about the properties of materials, such as superconductors, insulators, and biomaterials, and how they are designed and synthesized.
Materials science is one of the oldest forms of applied science, with certain eras of time — such as the Stone, Bronze, and Iron ages — named after the material of major significance. With new technologies assisting scientists to see the world on a whole new level, materials science has become increasingly important and essential.
Now, couple materials science with nanoscience, the study of matter on an extremely small scale (1-billionth of a meter, to be exact) and you open up a whole new realm of science to pursue. At the University of Waterloo, we have a specialized research lab dedicated to studying at the nanoscale — a state-of-the-art facility that controls even the most minor changes in vibration, temperature, and electromagnetic radiation — so that we can continue to be at the forefront of research and discovery.
Materials and Nanosciences Ambassadors - We'd love to meet you!
Find out more about life as a Waterloo Materials and Nanosciences student. Come in for a tour or to one of our open houses and you might even meet us in person!
This major is available in both the co-op and regular streams of study
SOME OF THE SKILLS ATTAINED WITHIN THIS MAJOR
- Advanced chemical/physical research and development applications
- Fundamental laboratory techniques including synthetic methods and use of modern analytical instrumentation
- Problem solving
- Critical thinking
- Oral and written communication
Materials and Nanosciences is recognized as a leading nanotechnology program that prepares students for a career or graduate program in nanotechnology.
Visit the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology for more information.
Explore other MNS-related programs at Waterloo
Learn more
- Apply via Physical Sciences on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC).
- Learn about our minors available to Faculty of Science students, as well as the Bioinformatics Option.
- Learn more about co-op.
- See more in the science careers list.