Founded in 1789 and enrolling students since 1795, UNC is America's first public university. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, it is a leading public research university known for innovative teaching, research excellence, and strong public service commitment.
28000
total students
1.2billion
research expenditure
70
undergraduate programs
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aau member
r1 doctoral
middle states
public ivy
UNC provides comprehensive career development through University Career Services and specialized school-based career offices. Services include one-on-one coaching, interview preparation, career fairs, and extensive employer connections. The university offers indefinite career support for alumni through various school-specific career services.
87.2
employment rate
5.1
continuing education
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These are the expert instructors who will be teaching you throughout the course. With a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience, they’re here to guide, inspire, and support you every step of the way. Get to know the people who will help you reach your learning goals and make the most of your journey.
Nanofabrication Expert and Scientific Instrumentation Specialist
Dr. Carrie Donley has served as Director of the Chapel Hill Analytical and Nanofabrication Laboratory (CHANL) at UNC-Chapel Hill for over 12 years before transitioning to focus more on laboratory work as a Spectroscopist. After earning her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Arizona, she completed postdoctoral work at the University of Cambridge's Optoelectronics group and Hewlett Packard's Quantum Science Research Lab. Her expertise spans multiple advanced characterization techniques, including x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. In her role, she oversees various spectroscopy tools including XPS, XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis microspectrophotometer, AFM, and nanoindenter. Her work involves training and supporting a diverse range of researchers, from undergraduate students to postdoctoral fellows, across multiple disciplines. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she maintains diverse interests including beekeeping, gardening, soap making, yarn recycling, yoga, and cycling. Through her leadership and technical expertise, she has contributed significantly to advancing nanoscale research and characterization capabilities at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Nanomaterials Pioneer and Physical Chemistry Innovator
Dr. James Cahoon serves as Professor of Chemistry at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he leads groundbreaking research in semiconductor nanomaterials synthesis. After earning his B.S. in Chemistry from William & Mary in 2003 and Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from UC Berkeley in 2008, he completed postdoctoral work at Harvard University under Charles Lieber before joining UNC in 2011. His research program combines nanomaterials synthesis with physical characterization and computational modeling, following the principle that "morphology encodes function." His work has significant implications for technologies ranging from solar cells to solid-state memory. His scientific excellence has been recognized through numerous prestigious awards, including the Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering (2014), Sloan Research Fellowship (2015), Cottrell Scholar Award (2015), and NSF CAREER Award (2016). Earlier accolades include the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship (2002), NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2004), and ACS Physical Chemistry Division Post-doctoral Research Award (2010). His research has been highly influential, with his publications receiving over 3,900 citations, particularly for his work on nanowire synthesis and solar energy applications