Course syllabus for Nanoscience

Course syllabus adopted 2025-02-20 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 18111
  • Maximum participants50 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)
  • Minimum participants3
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0107 Examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH		 7.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

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

The aims of the course are to introduce physical, chemical, and biological concepts at the nanoscale, illustrate state-of-the-art achievements in the field, discuss possible future research directions in nanoscience, and introduce students to research opportunities in nanoscience at Chalmers. Modules on ethics, as well as equality, diversity, and inclusion, are also included in this course.

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

  • Solve basic problems on quantum transport at nanoscale
  • 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.
  •  Explain elementary concepts in ethics and describe typical nanotechnology issues.
  • Describe a strategy and share an experience of solving an ethical nanotechnology problem.
  • Reflect on equality, diversity, and inclusion when working on engineering projects

Content

Nanoscience is a rapidly developing field of intensive research at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and biology. This course provides an overview of the broad field of nanoscale science and serves as a foundation for a master's program focusing on the physical, chemical, biological, and/or material aspects of this discipline.Each of the four main areas will be presented through a series of lectures that highlight the forefront of research and its current status at Chalmers. The ethics module will offer a general overview of ethics, identify ethical issues related to the use of nanotechnology, discuss an example of such an issue and how it can be addressed, and present a portfolio of ethical challenges.

Organisation

Fifteen review lectures will be given by researchers 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. The ethics module is given during a separate lecture.

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.

Literature for the ethics module will be handed out during the lecture.

Examination including compulsory elements

Approved written and oral presentations of research proposal project; written exam (4 hours). The ethics module is assessed by a written one-page essay on how to address a chosen nanotechnology ethical problem.

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 about disability study support.