Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary program offered by the School of Chemistry and the School of Physics in the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies. Units of study in this program are available at Normal and Advanced level.
About the program
A program in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology draws on the strengths of all the basic sciences, including chemistry, physics, maths and life sciences, and will demonstrate how this disciplinary knowledge can be translated into technological applications in materials science and engineering. This reflects the highly interdisciplinary nature of nanoscience and nanotechnology and is highly recommended for anyone wishing to undertake a research project with The University of Sydney Nano Institute (Sydney Nano).
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is designed for students interested in understanding the emerging science of working and building at and near the molecular level. It incorporates study of the fundamental sciences in order to understand the structure of matter, as well as technological elements of the mechanical properties of materials. Students undertaking this program are strongly encouraged to take suitable units from the Faculty of Engineering in combination with physics and chemistry.
A student seeking to complete this program should complete a major either in physics or chemistry. The second compulsory major is of the student's choice, and can be in engineering (for engineering students). The core units of the program at the 1000-level and 2000-level are mathematics units, and at the 2000-level there is a core unit, Introduction to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (NANO2002). In the 3000-level, students focus on units which are part of their chosen majors. In the 4th year, students must complete two core units (NANO4001 and NANO4002 to be developed for offering in 2021), selective units and a program-related project. For Honours students, the 4000-level includes an Honours project. This program may be seen as a complement to a traditional major in chemistry of physics. Refer to Table A for an enrolment guide.
Requirements for completion
A program in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology requires 108 credit points, consisting of:
(i) A 48 credit point major in Chemistry or Physics
(ii) 12 credit points of 1000-level program core units
(iii) 12 credit points of 2000-level program core units
(iv) 12 credit points 4000-level program core units
(v) 24 credit points of 4000-level units according to the following rules:
(a) For students undertaking advanced courework in the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: 12 credit points of 4000-level project units and 12 credit points of 4000-level program selective units
(b) For students undertaking honours in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: 24 credit points of 4000-level honours project units (by departmental permission only); or
(c) For students in the Bachelor of Engineering Honours/Bachelor of Science: 12 credit points of 4000-level Engineeing thesis units and 12 credit points of 4000-level program selective units
First year
Core for Program: MATH1021/1921/1931 Calculus Of One Variable, MATH1023/1923/1933 Multivariable Calculus and Modelling, MATH1002/1902 Linear Algebra and MATH1005/1905 Statistical Thinking with Data
Students also complete units towards a Chemistry or Physics major:
Core for Chemistry major: 12 credit points of 1000-level Chemistry
Core for Physics major: 12 credit points of 1000-level Physics
Note: Recommended second majors include physics, or chemistry, or a Table S major in one of the fifteen available Engineering majors: e.g. materials, electrical, chemical & biomolecular, environmental, mechanical, power, telecommunications.
Second year
Core for Program: MATH2021/2921 Vector Calculus and Differential Equations and NANO2002 Introduction to Nanoscience
Core for Chemistry major: 12 credit points of 2000-level Chemistry
Core for Physics major: 12 credit points of 2000-level Physics
Third year
Students complete units towards their Major 1 and Major 2 and/or electives. Students must take at least one designated project unit counting towards each major.
Fourth year
The fourth year is only offered within the Bachelor of Advanced Studies course.
Advanced Coursework
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies advanced coursework option consists of 48 credit points, with a minimum of 24 credit points at 4000-level or above. Of these 24 credit points, you must complete a project unit of study worth at least 12 credit points. Advanced coursework will be included in the table for 2021.
Honours
Meritorious students may apply for admission to Honours within a subject area of the Bachelor of Advanced Studies. Admission to Honours requires the prior completion of all requirements of the Bachelor's degree, including Open Learning Environment (OLE) units. If you are considering applying for admission to Honours, ensure your degree planning takes into account the completion of a second major and all OLE requirements by the end of your Honours year.
Unit of study requirements for Honours in the area of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: completion of 24 credit points of project work (NANO4005, NANO4006, NANO4007 and NANO4008) and 12 credit points of coursework (NANO4001 and NANO4002). Honours units of study will be available in 2021.
Bachelor of Engineering Honours/Bachelor of Science
Requirements for Bachelor of Engineering Honours/Bachelor of Science in the area of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: completion of 12 credit points of Program Core units (NANO4001 and NANO4002), 12 credit points from Engineering thesis units, 12 credit points of Program Selective units at 4000 level and 12 credit points towards the second major (if not already completed).
Contact and further information
The University of Sydney Nano Institute (Sydney Nano)
E
T +61 2 9036 9050
Associate Professor Stefano Palomba
E
T +61 2 9351 5304
Learning Outcomes
Students who graduate from Nanoscience and Nanotechnology will be able to:
- Exhibit a broad and coherent knowledge of nanoscale phenomena and describe how and why materials and systems at the nanoscale differ from those at macro- and micro-scales.
- Integrate a deep and comprehensive understanding of nanoscale phenomena and material properties with core principles and concepts in chemistry, physics, engineering and mathematics.
- Exhibit integrated knowledge in the structure of matter at the nanoscale and the technological elements of the physical, chemical and bio-related properties of materials.
- Source, collate, synthesise and critically evaluate information from a range of sources in nanoscience and nanotechnology.
- Perform nanoscale characterisation techniques and capabilities such as electron microscopy, optical microscopy, scanning tunnelling microscopy and atomic force microscopy, safely in the laboratory.
- Communicate concepts and findings in nanoscience and nanotechnology through a range of modes to variety of audiences, using evidence-based arguments that are robust to critique.
- Articulate the relevance of nanoscale investigations and their findings to the local and global community.
- Build nanomaterials using nanofabrication techniques, including top-down and bottom-up approaches.
- Create and develop new ideas in nanoscience and nanotechnology, building on a comprehensive body of disciplinary knowledge to solve problems in collaborative, interdisciplinary teams.
- Work professionally, responsibly and ethically and with consideration of social and cultural perspectives, both as individuals and within teams, in classroom, laboratory and industry settings.