Course syllabus for Nanoscience

Course syllabus adopted 2021-01-15 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameNanovetenskap
  • CodeMCC026
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPNAT
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyBioengineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics
  • DepartmentMICROTECHNOLOGY AND NANOSCIENCE
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 18114
  • Maximum participants50
  • Minimum participants3
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0107 Examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH
7.5 c
  • 14 Jan 2022 pm J
  • 11 Apr 2022 am J
  • 08 Jun 2022 am J

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Basic science and engineering courses. The course is self-contained and while not strictly needed, prior knowledge of basic quantum mechanics is an advantage.

Aim

Nanoscience is a rapidly developing area of intensive research at the border between chemistry, physics and biology. The aim of the course is to introduce basic physical concepts at nanoscale and to illustrate state of art achievements in the field, discuss possible future directions of research in nanoscience. One of the main course objectives is to introduce the students to the opportunities of research and further education in the field of Nanoscience at Chalmers.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Solve basic problems on quantum transport at nanoscale
  • Describe available experimental techniques for studies of current transport though single molecules, the role of coupling between molecules and electrodes, the conditions for sequential and coherent charge transport through molecule.
  • Describe physical and chemical ideas for implementing electronic functionality at single-molecule level.
  • Exemplify optical microscopy techniques with resolution well below the diffraction limit; methods of single-molecule optical spectroscopy such as fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy etc.
  • Evaluate static (like stiffness) and dynamic (like resonance frequency and dissipative factors) mechanical properties of nanoscale objects. 
  • Describe the implications of nanoplasmonics and nanostructured materials for the future energy saving and conversion technologies.
  • Develop original research ideas in the field of nanoscience. 
  • Evaluate the potential and feasibility of novel research ideas.

Content

This course will give an overview of the broad field of Nanoscale Science and as such serve as a background and backbone for a masters program focusing on the physical, chemical, biological and/or material aspects of this field of science. Each of the four main directions will be presented in a series of lectures that highlights its forefront and its present status at Chalmers. The course also addresses the questions of ethical questions regarding science and nanotechnology in particular.

Organisation

Fifteen review lectures will be given by researches actively working in the area. Students will have to present their original research proposals based on the theoretical ideas and experimental techniques presented in the lectures. The projects will be reported at a student mini-conference. Each student will be an opponent for two other projects.

Literature

Research, review and popular articles that cover the different aspects of nanoscience discussed in the topical lectures. Chapters of the book: Stuart Lindsay, "Introduction to Nanoscience", Oxford University Press, 2009

Examination including compulsory elements

Approved written and oral presentations of research proposal project; written exam (4 hours).

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.