5.1 The purpose of this guide is to provide a basic educational structure for pattern generation in nanotechnology to organizations developing or carrying out education programs for the nanotechnology workforce. This guide helps to describe the minimum knowledge base for anyone involved in nanomanufacturing or nanomaterials research.

5.2 The basic education should prepare an individual for varied roles in the nanotechnology workplace. The material in this standard may require a post-secondary two-year science or technology background to be understood sufficiently.

5.3 Workers may transition in their roles in the workplace. Participants in such education will have a broad understanding of a complement of pattern generation methods, thus increasing their marketability for jobs within as well as beyond the nanotechnology field.

5.4 This guide is intended to be one in a series of standards developed for workforce education in various aspects of nanotechnology. It will assist in providing an organization a basic structure for developing a program applicable to many areas in nanotechnology, thus providing dynamic and evolving workforce education.

1.1 This guide provides a framework for a basic workforce education in pattern generation topics related to nanotechnology, to be taught at an undergraduate college level. The education should be broadbased, preparing an individual to work in one of many areas in nanotechnology research, development, or manufacturing. The individual so educated may be involved in nanoscale pattern definition.

1.2 This guide may be used to develop or evaluate an education program for pattern generation topics in the nanotechnology field. This guide provides listings of key topics that should be covered in a nanotechnology education program on this subject, but it does not provide specific course material to be used in such a program. This approach is taken in order to allow workforce education entities to ensure their programs cover the required material while also enabling these institutions to tailor their programs to meet the needs of their local employers.

1.3 While no units of measurements are used in this standard guide, values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the methods and concepts needed for pattern generation in nanotechnology. It may not cover knowledge and skill objectives applicable to local conditions or required by local regulations.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.