Graduate Diploma in Nanotechnology

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold a degree in any relevant discipline of science or engineering or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. Examples of relevant disciplines include but are not limited to Chemistry, Physics, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Biotechnology.

The Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

The Graduate Diploma in Nanotechnology is designed to broaden the knowledge and skills of graduates who hold an undergraduate qualification in science, engineering or equivalent, and is not available to graduates who hold an undergraduate qualification in nanotechnology.

Course aims

The primary aim of this course is to facilitate skills transfer from another relevant area of engineering or science and technology to the study of nanotechnology. Students will develop the capacity to:

understand the basic scientific concepts underpinning nanoscience
understand the properties of materials and biomaterials at the atomic/molecular level and the scaling laws governing these properties
understand current frontier developments in nanotechnology nationally and internationally
recognise and develop novel and innovative ideas
demonstrate ability in a range of laboratory methods, specifically the fabrication and characterisation tools used in nanotechnology such as various microscopies, surface modifications and molecular level construction methods
embrace the multidisciplinary aspects of nanotechnology which is core to its understanding and engage positively with people and ideas in many disciplines
demonstrate communication, problem-based and critical thinking skills that will promote life long learning in their future careers
work independently and take responsibility for updating and adapting their knowledge and skills
appreciate the emerging role of nanotechnology in society, the regulatory framework within which it operates and the ethical issues it raises
work cooperatively and productively within a team

Learning outcomes

Upon successful graduation students will:

have a sound grounding and expert knowledge in multidisciplinary areas of nanoscience
have a sound grounding in and expert knowledge of the basic sciences relevant to employment or further study in the traditional sciences
have a grounding in economics and commerce relevant to the needs of high-technology companies
be prepared to work in a high tech work force or pursue a research higher degree in nanotechnology
analyse and critically evaluate ideas/information/data and apply relevant scientific principles to solve problems by, for example, creating hypotheses, testing theories and predictions, designing and carrying out experiments and analysing reported data
design and carry out experiments using both classical and novel science techniques and protocols
communicate their findings to a variety of audiences in written and spoken form through debates, posters, reports and oral presentations
appreciate that the relationships and connections across the sciences and non-science disciplines are core to nanotechnology and understand such relationships and connections
work and learn independently and appreciate the need for life-long learning
interact effectively as part of a team in order to achieve common goals

Program of study

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Nanotechnology, a student must complete 36 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.

Core - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

NANO8701 Structure and Characterisation GE (4.5 units)
NANO8702 Frontiers of Nanotechnology GE (4.5 units)
STEM8001 Research Methods and Professional Skills (4.5 units)

Plus 18 units selected from:

BTEC9010 Medical Biotechnology GE (4.5 units)
BTEC9012 Environmental Biotechnology GE (4.5 units)
CHEM8701 Applied Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry GE (4.5 units)
CHEM8702 Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry GE (4.5 units)
CHEM8711 Organic Synthesis and Mechanism GE (4.5 units)
CHEM8712 Introduction to Polymer Science GE (4.5 units)
MATH8702 Methods of Applied Mathematics GE (4.5 units)
MATH8712 Partial Differential Equations GE (4.5 units)
MATH8731 Algebra (4.5 units)
PHYS8701 Nuclear and Statistical Physics GE (4.5 units)
PHYS8702 Solid State Physics and Optoelectronics GE (4.5 units)
PHYS8711 Quantum Physics GE (4.5 units)
PHYS9712 Thermodynamics and Energy Systems GE (4.5 units)

Plus 4.5 units selected from:

ENGR9704 Project Management and Innovation (4.5 units)
INNO9001 Innovative and Creative Thinking: Recognising Opportunities GE (4.5 units)

* or with the approval of the Course Coordinator, any other 4.5 units topic from the University at the requisite level that meets the educational aims and learning outcomes of the course.