To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Specialisations).

The Nanotechnology (Honours) Specialisation requires four years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The Specialisation is offered by the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail In The University Entry Requirements.

Successful completion of SACE Year 12 Chemistry, Physics and Mathematical Studies or the equivalent are required for entry to the Quantum Nanostructures stream, while successful completion of SACE Year 12 Chemistry only will allow entry into the Biomedical Nanotechnology stream.

Course aims

In the Nanotechnology Specialisation the topic sequence forms a coherent and explicit path towards a comprehensive appreciation of, and competence in, the appropriate underlying science. It also aims to develop a range of transferable research, analytical and communication skills including the capacity to:

  • understand and apply modern scientific principles
  • demonstrate skills in the retrieval and presentation of scientific information both orally and in writing to scientific and non-scientific audiences
  • demonstrate proficiency in critical analysis of information and capacity to solve problems
  • analyse and evaluate numerical data
  • demonstrate competence in the practical use of relevant computer and information technology
  • work effectively in a team
  • appreciate the role of science in society
  • understand the ethical issues raised through the study of science.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • demonstrate a sound grounding in multidisciplinary areas of nanoscience as well as hands on research experience
  • demonstrate an increased understanding of materials and their properties at the atomic level, including an understanding of the intimate relationship between scale and size, nanostructure and the properties of materials
  • demonstrate skill in areas of nanoscience with relevant hands on experience and will be qualified for jobs in traditional science-based industries and government laboratories such as DSTO and, as the nanotechnologies emerge and mature, be positioned for jobs in this applied area
  • educate a new generation of scientists who can participate in, and indeed seed, new high-technology companies that will be the key to maintaining jobs, wealth and educational infrastructures as nanotechnology results in a new industrial revolution
  • develop a range of professional, scientific and computational skills that will enhance employment opportunities in a wide range of industrial, research and governmental institutions
  • display readiness for the workplace through their ability to contribute constructively to multidisciplinary teams, to communicate both orally and in written form, and to be familiar with modern, computer-based communication technology, achieved using non-traditional education techniques including group-based problem-based learning, flexible delivery and WebCT interactive tutorials
  • form strong multidisciplinary educational and research links through joint team projects that cross the traditional areas of science. 

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Nanotechnology) a student must complete 144 units, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.

No more than 45 units of First Year level topics may be included in the 144 units for the degree. A topic cannot be counted twice.

Elective topics to complete 144 units may be selected from any offered within the University or, with approval from the Faculty of Science and Engineering, from outside the University, provided any course and prerequisite requirements are met.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Upon completion of at least 103.5 units and with a GPA of 5 or more in the last 36 units of study, students may commence the Fourth Year Honours program. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement will exit with the Bachelor of Science (Nanotechnology) on completion of 108 units.

Students who have completed 108 units according to the first three years of the Program may choose to exit with the Bachelor of Science (Nanotechnology).

Students undertake one of two streams in the Nanotechnology Specialisation:

Stream - Biomedical Nanotechnology - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 1 topics

 BIOL1102  Molecular Basis of Life  (4.5 units)
 CHEM1101  Chemical Structure and Bonding  (4.5 units)
 CHEM1102  Modern Chemistry  (4.5 units)
 NANO1101  Fundamentals of Nanotechnology  (4.5 units)
 SPOC1701 The Nature of Science I (4.5 Units)

Option - Year 1 topics


Plus either:

  MATH1121  Mathematics 1A  (4.5 units) AND
  MATH1122  Mathematics 1B  (4.5 units)


OR

 

  MATH1701  Mathematics Fundamentals A  (4.5 units) AND
  MATH1702  Mathematics Fundamentals B  (4.5 units)

 

Elective - Year 1 topics

A 4.5 unit elective topic from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Stream - Biomedical Nanotechnology - Year 2 topics

 

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 2 topics

  BIOL2771   Biochemistry  (4.5 units)
  BIOL2772  Molecular Biology  (4.5 units)
  CHEM2701  Chemical Reactivity  (4.5 units)
  CHEM2702  Organic Reactions  (4.5 units)
  CHEM2711  Spectroscopy and Data Analysis  (4.5 units)
  NANO2701  Structure and Characterisation  (4.5 units)

 

Elective - Year 2 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Stream - Biomedical Nanotechnology - Year 3 topics


36 units comprising:

Core - Year 3 topics

 BIOL3762  Protein to Proteome  (4.5 units)
 BIOL3771  DNA to Genome  (4.5 units)
 CHEM2712  Separation Science  (4.5 units)
 CHEM3701  Applied Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry  (4.5 units)
 CHEM3712  Introduction to Polymer Science  (4.5 units)
 NANO3702  Frontiers of Nanotechnology  (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 3 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.#

# Students are encouraged to enrol in XXXX3700  Science Practicum  (9 units) as a third year elective.

Stream - Biomedical Nanotechnology - Year 4 topics


36 units comprising:

Core - Year 4 topics

CPES7700A Honours Research Project (4/5/22.5 units)
CPES7700B Honours Research Project (4/5/22.5 units)
CPES7700C Honours Research Project (4/5/22.5 units)
CPES7700D Honours Research Project (4/5/22.5 units)
CPES7700E Honours Research Project (4/5/22.5 units)

Plus

CPES7701 Advanced Research Skills (4.5 units)
CPES7711 Advanced Techniques in Chemical and Physical Science (4.5 units)
CPES7721 Advanced Chemical and Physical Science (4.5 units)

Stream - Quantum Nanostructures - Year 1 topics


36 units comprising:

Core - Year 1 topics

 CHEM1101  Chemical Structure and Bonding  (4.5 units)
 CHEM1102  Modern Chemistry  (4.5 units)
 MATH1121  Mathematics 1A  (4.5 units)
 MATH1122  Mathematics 1B  (4.5 units)
 NANO1101  Fundamentals of Nanotechnology  (4.5 units)
 PHYS1101  Fundamental Physics I  (4.5 units)
 PHYS1102  Fundamental Physics II  (4.5 units)
 SPOC1701 The Nature of Science I (4.5 Units)

Stream - Quantum Nanostructures - Year 2 topics


36 units comprising:

Core - Year 2 topics

 CHEM2701  Chemical Reactivity  (4.5 units)
 CHEM2702  Organic Reactions  (4.5 units)
 CHEM2711  Spectroscopy and Data Analysis  (4.5 units)
 MATH2702  Linear Algebra and Differential Equations  (4.5 units)
 NANO2701  Structure and Characterisation  (4.5 units)
 PHYS2701  Quantum Concepts  (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 2 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Stream - Quantum Nanostructures - Year 3 topics


36 units comprising:

Core - Year 3 topics

 CHEM2712  Separation Science  (4.5 units)
 CHEM3701  Applied Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry  (4.5 units)
 CHEM3712  Introduction to Polymer Science  (4.5 units)
 MATH3702  Methods of Applied Mathematics  (4.5 units)
 NANO3702  Frontiers of Nanotechnology  (4.5 units)
 PHYS3711  Quantum Physics  (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 3 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.#

# Students are encouraged to enrol in XXXX3700  Science Practicum  (9 units) as a third year elective.

Stream - Quantum Nanostructures - Year 4 topics


36 units comprising:

Core - Year 4 topics

CPES7700A Honours Research Project (4/5/22.5 units)
CPES7700B Honours Research Project (4/5/22.5 units)
CPES7700C Honours Research Project (4/5/22.5 units)
CPES7700D Honours Research Project (4/5/22.5 units)
CPES7700E Honours Research Project (4/5/22.5 units)

Plus

CPES7701 Advanced Research Skills (4.5 units)
CPES7711 Advanced Techniques in Chemical and Physical Science (4.5 units)
CPES7721 Advanced Chemical and Physical Science (4.5 units)

Combined degrees

The Bachelor of Science (Nanotechnology) may also be studied in a combined degrees program with any Bachelor degree in the Faculty of Science and Engineering.