As part of the center's Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, the students enroll in a two-credit nanotechnology ethics course. The instructor of this course, Prof. Rosalyn Berne, has an NSF Career Award entitled "Ethics and Belief Inside the Development of Nanotechnology." In this course, students explore the societal dimensions of new technology through readings and discussions, reflect upon their own research experiences, and consider case studies from MRSEC faculty.

The center further integrates the examination of societal and ethical dimensions of nanotechnology into its graduate program through journal club sessions, incorporation of this subject matter in the graduate nanotechnology course offered at UVa, and a co-sponsored master's degree research project. The master's project addresses the need to build the consideration of ethics and society into the nanotechnology graduate student's course of research and study while allowing the student to complete all studies in a timely manner.