The goal of this NUE in Engineering program entitled, "NUE: Societal, Ethical, Economic and Environmental Issues Relevant to Nanotechnology" (a Nano Bio Ethics course), at the University of Alabama (UA) Tuscaloosa, under the direction of Dr. Leila Ladani, is to develop a new multidisciplinary pipeline development co-created course in the University of Alabama's Colleges of Engineering and Arts and Science on nanoscience and its implications with regard to ethics, society, economic considerations and the environment. The course will consist of seven modules consisting of: (1) Introduction to Nanotechnology and Biotechnology, (2) Emerging Applications of Nanotechnology and Biomedicine (3) Seeing is Believing and Micro/Nanofabrication, (4) Economics of Nanotechnology and Biotechnology, (5) Philosophy, Ethics, Science and Engineering, (6) Nanotechnology, Biotechnology and Society, and (7) Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, and the Environment.
The broader impacts of the proposed research address the creation of a pilot pipeline from high schools to major research programs in Alabama. The pipeline will help prepare secondary, two-year and four-year college students for strategic economic sectors in the state tied to emerging technologies while fostering awareness of their implications to society. It is anticipated that the pilot will involve 200 students per year with 40% underrepresented group participation.
