MSc Nanomaterials

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Principles of Nanomaterials

Course unit fact file
Unit code MATS67301
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Offered by Department of Materials
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Lectures will cover the following topics, using examples from the literature to exemplar concepts.  Applications will taught through case studies, including an enquiry based learning approach.

 

Aims

The unit aims to:

Provide the underlying materials science to understand the production, properties and applications of nanomaterials and devices.  The unit will include the fundamental knowledge required for the subsequent advanced courses in your course.  The unit comprises guided reading, lectures, on-line tests, problem sheets, and a case study presentation.

Learning outcomes

 
A greater depth of the learning outcomes will be covered in the following sections:
 
Knowledge and understanding
Intellectual skills
Practical skills
Transferable skills and personal qualities

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, group tutorials (problem sessions), recommended textbooks, web resources, past exam papers, electronic supporting information (Blackboard).

 

 

Knowledge and understanding

• Explain the concept of nanotechnology as it applies to materials
• Explain the underlying physics in a range of nanomaterials.
• Describe the principles of quantum mechanics.
• Explain wave-particle duality.
• Describe the origin of a materials electronic band structure.
• Relate the electrical and optical properties of semiconductors to their band structure in both the bulk and nanoscale.
• Determine the properties of magnetic nanostructures.
• Distinguish between top-down and bottom-up synthesis methods
• Explain how nanoparticles can be produced and assembled into devices
• Identify the applications of nanomaterials and the related commercial realities.
 

Intellectual skills

• Show improved logical reasoning, problem solving and ability in applied mathematics. 
• Apply models to predict a materials’ behaviour and properties.
• Apply the time-independent Schrodinger equation to a particle in a box and similar problems.
• Describe how a given structure may be produced based upon techniques introduced in the course.
 

Practical skills

• Work effectively in a group to solve problems.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

• Convert word problems into equations and numerical answers.
• Develop techniques for estimating the results from calculations.
• Effectively summarize complex scientific ideas.
 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 70%
Written assignment (inc essay) 15%
Oral assessment/presentation 15%

Feedback methods

Feedback given verbally and written.

Recommended reading

  • Materials Science and Engineering - An Introduction, W. D. Callister, D. G. Rethwisch, Pub. Wiley, 2010.
  • Introduction to the Physics of Electrons in Solids, B. Tanner, Pub. Cambridge University Press, 1995
  • Introduction to Solid State Physics, C. Kittel, pub Wiley, 2005.
  • Physics of Semiconductor Devices, S. M. Sze, Pub. Wiley 2006.
  • Nanochemistry: A Chemical Approach to Nanomaterials, G.A. Ozin, A.C. Arsenault, L. Cademartiri, RSC, 2009
  • Concepts of nanochemistry, G.A. Ozin, A.C. Arsenault, RSC, 2005

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 30
Independent study hours
Independent study 120

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Suelen Barg Unit coordinator

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