Harper College offering nanotechnology degree program

With an eye on training students for the jobs of the future, Harper College in 2008 renovated space in its Avanté Center and created a Nanotechnology degree program -- the first of its kind offered by an Illinois two-year college.

This fall, Harper will launch an Alternative Energy Certificate, giving students in the Electronics Engineering Technology program an environmentally focused option that can lead to new careers in a go-green world.

Faculty and students involved with both programs will showcase their facilities and their technology at an Open Labs night scheduled for 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, May 13, in Rooms Y105 (Electronics Engineering Technology) and Y124 (Nanotechnology), Building Y in the Avanté Center. The event is open to the public, and will allow prospective students and others to talk with Harper's nanotechnology and electronics engineering technology faculty and get an up-close look at equipment - like a wind turbine used for the Alternative Energy Certificate program.

Current electronics students also will be presenting their year-end mechatronics projects, and students in both programs will demo classroom technology.

"These are two examples of career programs that are solidly future-focused," says Sally Griffith, assistant vice president for Career Programs. "They stress the skills students will need in tomorrow's world."

Illinois is one of the leading research and development areas in nanotechnology, and local companies already have approached Harper students looking for interns and employees. Jobs in green industries, like alternative energy, also are on the rise. As part of the Open Labs event, Harper's growing Graphic Arts program also will be showcased. Classrooms, digital and traditional presses, and other technology will be on display. For more on Graphic Arts, Nanotechnology or Electronics Engineering Technology, visit www.harpercollege.edu.