The Next 'Next' Thing
Foothill Is Developing A New Nanotechnology Program

Nanotechnology-the newest era of the Information Age-is the amazing science and technology of building electronics, microsensors and machines, and biomedical devices from single atoms and molecules.

Designing tiny gears such as those pictured above is the basis of nanotechnology. Pictured is an electron micrograph of micromotor gears. The gears are smaller in diameter than a human hair and 100 times thinner than a sheet of paper. The device was etched into the surface of a silicon wafer by the same techniques used to make silicon chips. Credit: V. Steger, Photo Researchers, Inc.

“Nanotechnology is engineering and designing materials and miniature devices at the atomic scale,” says Foothill College Computer Information Systems Instructor Robert Cormia. “Whether it’s fabricating more efficient materials for use in space, improving prosthetic implants or developing medicine delivery systems that target individual cancer cells, nanotechnology is an exciting science and an excellent career option. Jobs exist in this field. And when our new program begins, our goal will be to train students for nanotechnology employment opportunities.”

Like the Internet and Human Genome Projects, Silicon Valley is once again at the center of commercializing this innovation. Foothill College will serve the region in training students to develop the specialty skill sets that nanotechnology employers demand.

In addition, the Foothill-De Anza District is collaborating with educational partners at San Jose State University and the University of California, Santa Cruz, to develop a solid nanotechnology curriculum in the core disciplines of chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics and informatics. Foothill-De Anza is currently developing a nanotechnology education program that will include projects in industry, and internships at public and private research labs. By working closely with SJSU and UCSC, Foothill will also assure the continuity of our students’ education as they pursue advanced degrees in nanotechnology-related fields. Additionally, the future presence of Foothill-De Anza at the NASA Ames Research Park will provide proximity to science and engineering projects as well as new opportunities for work-force development in concert with SJSU and UCSC.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in nanotechnology, you must have a strong foundation in the core disciplines of science, engineering and math. So that you’ll be prepared to succeed in Foothill’s nanotechnology courses, you can enroll now in science, technology and informatics classes. You can also earn Foothill’s associate degrees in biology, chemistry and physics, among others. We also currently offer career-training certificate programs in biotechnology and bioinformatics, and will soon offer an informatics certificate program.

For registration instructions, call (650) 949-7325 or click here.

New Certificate Program Being Developed
Informatics - The Leading Edge of Innovation

Conceptual art (above) of drug capsules traveling in the bloodstream—a possible future development fueled by informatics technology. Capsules could travel freely in the human body to deliver medicine at specific sites to attack tumor cells or bacteria. Credit: V. Steger, Photo Researchers, Inc.

Foothill College will debut the first class in the upcoming Informatics Certificate Program when classes get under way April 5.

CIS 61A: Introduction to Informatics provides a comprehensive overview of the discipline and science of informatics. The practice of managing vast amounts of data and information, informatics employs data mining and analysis with complex algorithms to reveal profound insights. Discovering how our genes work, developing new methods of delivering medicine and analyzing Earth’s climate changes are important applications of informatics. The industries of bioinformatics, medical research, business intelligence and climate modeling are all applications of informatics.

By enrolling in the five-unit introductory course, you’ll study a variety of topics, including information representation and infrastructure; meta data; knowledge management; data warehousing and mining; user interface; analytical tools; careers and industry trends; social, global and organizational impacts; and applications in business, industry and education.

For registration instructions, call (650) 949-7325 or click here.