The Fundamental Science of Nanotechnology

Particles and structures at the nanoscale demonstrate phenomena not seen at other length scales. This online course is designed to cover the science behind the phenomena that arise when considering materials at the nanoscale and will appeal to those requiring a solid introduction to the subject. It provides a good grounding in the scientific equations and principles that an understanding of nanotechnologies requires.

In this course we also consider some of the common nanostructures that are currently being developed and used in nanotechnology applications such as quantum dots, nanotubes and fullerenes, together with their applications including quantum computing.

The Fundamental Science of Nanotechnology online course can be taken alone, with or without academic credit, or as part of the Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology, or as part of the MSc in Nanotechnology for Medicine and Health Care.

The Fundamental Science of Nanotechnology is a part-time online course which introduces the fundamental science behind the phenomena that result from the nanometre scale. Such behaviour encompasses effects, structures, properties and processes that are quite different to those observed in bulk systems. In particular, the course examines the theoretical foundations of these phenomena and their applications by exploring:

• The mathematical description of these nanoscale phenomena;
• Common nanoscale structures, their fabrication, properties and applications, such as: quantum wires, quantum dots, carbon nanostructures and quantum computing;
• The effect of the collective oscillation of electrons in metal nanoparticles.

It is evident that using the behaviours that arise from nanoscale structures have great potential for improving many existing applications. The course gives a foundation in the science and understanding of the principles that underlie nanoscale behaviour which are essential to optimising these desired effects.

The Fundamental Science of Nanotechnology course begins in January and runs for ten weeks. The course is divided into ten units, each of which is designed to take approximately one week to study:

• An introduction to the mathematical tools that will be required and common nanostructures;
• The transport effects that are affected by the nanometre length scale;
• The important mechanical effects that are modified at the nanometre length scale;
• The effect of the nanometre length scale on various optical effects;
• An introduction to quantum wires and dots, their structure and properties;
• An overview of the applications in which quantum dots can be used;
• The structure, variety, production and application of carbon and inorganic nanotubes;
• The scattering effects that are observed with nanoparticles;
• An explanation of the combined oscillation of electrons in metal nanoparticles;
• A final module summary.

There will also be live online tutorials, normally once each week.

What to expect

Overall the course has been designed so that students can study it in the way that works for them. However you want to study, we are aware that this is easiest to do if you are given some idea of how to get the most out of the course. We advise that:

• Most students should expect to spend between 10 and 15 hours each week on independent study in addition to the timetabled tutorials, including all reading, writing and thinking about the course;
• Each unit should take approximately a week to study. The units will make the most sense if studied in the order in which they are presented but can be studied in any order;
• There are a series of review questions designed to let students know whether they have understood a unit, whilst other activities make them draw their learning together;
• Students should work on the module level activities in parallel with studying the main materials.

Features

• The course is taken part-time so students can complete it whilst continuing to work full-time;
• The course is taught online and can be taken from anywhere in the world;
• An induction course site helps to ease students into the course and familiarise themselves with the online learning environment, with the added benefit of enabling them to introduce themselves to other participants;
• Tutors provide online support and replicate electronically the famed Oxford tutorial system;
• The course has a dedicated tutor, course director and administration team accustomed to supporting students undertaking distance learning courses;
• Students have access to staff at the University of Oxford’s Begbroke Science Park, particularly the Course Director, Dr Christiane Norenberg;
• Throughout the course, students can use the University of Oxford’s unrivalled electronic library resources to enable them to complete the assignment tasks.

The course fees for January 2023 have not yet been confirmed.