Carbon nanotubes: Research and instrumentation for undergraduate students

A team of faculty at Northern Arizona University (a predominantly undergraduate institution) have joined forces to develop a cross-disciplinary course for sophomore level science students in nanotechnology and the associated instrumentation with an overarching theme centered around carbon nanotubes. Research laboratories with various analytical capabilities were utilized from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics and Astronomy. Specifically, the techniques that were used included scanning electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and micro-sensor technology. The course content, the student activities and the initial experience in developing and team-teaching the course are described.