- UCAS course code
- F305
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Master of Physics (MPhys)
MPhys Physics
Join a physics Department of international renown that offers great choice and flexibility, leading to master's qualification.
- Typical A-level offer: A*A*A including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: A*AA including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: AAA including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 38 points overall with 7,7,6 at HL, including specific requirements
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £36,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.
For information about scholarships and bursaries please visit our undergraduate student finance pages and our Department funding pages .
Course unit details:
Biomaterials/Biophysics
Unit code | PHYS40732 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 10 |
Unit level | Level 4 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Biomaterials Physics
Aims
Through discussion of several selected topics,
- to develop an awareness of contributions of biomaterials and biointerfaces in the form of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies,
- to understand measurement techniques and methods that can help biomaterials development and characterisations in medical diagnostics and therapies, encompassing the use of nanoscale sensoring and detection for physical and biological processes,
- to relate existing physical understanding to biomaterial properties and functions.
Learning outcomes
On completion successful students should be able to:
1. Describe the range of structures of biomolecules and their functionality in living systems.
2. Understand typical biomaterial types, uses, and basic processes for early biomaterials development, structures, properties and their relations.
3. Describe typical methods of production of bio- and nanomaterials.
4. Discuss the medical requirements for advanced biomaterials.
5. Describe exemplar applications of nanomaterials and nanotechnology in the area of diagnostics, therapies and drug delivery.
6. Explain the principles of a range of advanced experimental techniques used in determination of the structure and dynamical properties of biomaterials.
7. Understand how physical and chemical properties of materials at micro- and nano-scales affect their applications in daily life, medicine and their potential risks.
Syllabus
1. Structures and properties of biomaterials and nanomaterials
Introduction of biomaterials, bionanotechnology and bionanomedicine.
Structures of water, amino acids, DNA, proteins, lipids and their functions in living cell.
Structures and nanostructures of solids: crystalline, polycrystalline, amorphous (glass) materials and their connection to physical, chemical and mechanical properties.
Interfaces and biointerfaces, molecular adsorption and aggregation, self-assembly
Properties of main biomaterials: metals, plastics, gels and viscoelastic behaviour.
2. Bio/nanotechnology and Bio/nanomedicine
Introduction of bionanotechnologies to medical diagnostics and therapies.
Introduction of nanoscale biosensors and advanced drug delivery methods.
Introduction of experimental techniques such as synchrotron radiation and neutron scattering for determination of the structures of nanomaterials and biomolecules, AFM and vibrational spectroscopic techniques for probing biosurfaces, biomolecular adsorption and biofilms
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
---|---|
Written exam | 100% |
Feedback methods
Feedback will be available on students’ individual written solutions to examples sheets, which will be marked, and model answers will be issued.
Recommended reading
Recommended Texts
Kittel C., Introduction to Solid State physics, latest edition (J Wiley)
Mohammad Farrukh A., Functionalized Nanomaterials Publisher: In Tech, ISBN 978-953-51-2856-4.
Haider S. and Haider A., Electrospinning-Material, Techniques, and Biomedical Applications, ISBN 978-953-51-2822-9.
Stefan G Stanciu S.G., Micro and Nanotechnologies for Biotechnology, ISBN 978-953-51-2531-0.
Supplementary Reading
Graphene - New Trends and Developments, edited by Farzad Ebrahimi, ISBN 978-953-51-2220-3.
Biosensors - Micro and Nanoscale Applications, edited by Toonika Rinken, ISBN 978-953-51-2173-2.
Application of Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, edited by Ali Demir Sezer, ISBN 978-953-51-1628-8.
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
---|---|
Assessment written exam | 1.5 |
Lectures | 22 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 76.5 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Jian Lu | Unit coordinator |