Master of Nanotechnology

The Master of Nanotechnology is a 72-unit program offered by the College of Science and Engineering. 

The course articulates with the 36-unit Graduate Diploma in Nanotechnology, and the sequentially developed topics allow progression through the awards. Candidates who have completed the Graduate Diploma are awarded credit for related topics. Up to 18 units of credit may be awarded to students with relevant professional experience.

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study 
  

Admission requirements

Applicants who do not hold the Graduate Diploma in Nanotechnology 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 Master of 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

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 there are 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 Master of Nanotechnology, a student must complete 72 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.

Core - Year 2 topics

36 unit comprising**:

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)
CPES9700A Masters Research Project (4/5/22.5 units) 
CPES9700B Masters Research Project (4/5/22.5 units)
CPES9700C Masters Research Project (4/5/22.5 units)
CPES9700D Masters Research Project (4/5/22.5 units)
CPES9700E Masters Research Project (4/5/22.5 units)

OR

CPES7701 Advanced Research Skills (4.5 units)
STEM9100A Masters Research Project (4.5/13.5 units)
STEM9100B Masters Research Project (4.5/13.5 units)
STEM9100C Masters Research Project (4.5/13.5 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)
ENGR9704 Project Management and Innovation (4.5 units)
INNO9001 Innovative and Creative Thinking: Recognising Opportunities 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)

**Masters students may only apply for the research project after completing the 36 units of the first year. The deadlines for applying for the research project are 1st of December and 1st of June. The research projects start on 1st of February and 1st of August. Other starting timeframes will not be considered. The research project cannot be started before the topics , NANO8701 and NANO8702 are passed.

Students who have not completed the 36 units of the first year by 1st of December are still encouraged to register by 1st of December whether they intend to start the research project on 1st of June of the following year.