Nanoscience and Technology
UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR
Nanoscience and technology is concerned with the understanding of quantum mechanical interactions between arrays of atoms or molecular species on the nanometre scale (10-10000 atoms). Using this knowledge, materials can be designed with specific physical, chemical or biological function.
Nanoscience includes concepts of how to analyse, measure and visualise structures of molecular dimensions, the design of new materials with specific properties and the study of how molecules interact with each other to form stable structures. The engineering of nanomachines, nanoelectronics and other nanodevices will assist in solving many of today's medical and practical problems.
In the nanoscience and technology major, you will draw on the strengths of all the basic sciences including chemistry, physics, maths, structural biology and materials science and engineering. This major reflects the interdisciplinary nature of these fields.
Study plan
FIRST YEAR
To prepare for your nanoscience and technology major, you will take junior mathematics, physics, chemistry and engineering units.
SECOND YEAR
You will take intermediate chemistry, physics and engineering units, which will form the prerequisites for your senior units of study. It is important that you plan ahead and have an idea of which senior units you need to take for this major, in order to enrol in the appropriate intermediate units.
THIRD YEAR
To complete your major, you must complete at least 24 credit points of senior units of study from the nanoscience and technology subject area. These include units in senior chemistry, physics and engineering.
EXAMPLE UNITS
Quantum Mechanics and Physics Lab (Advanced)
Mechanics of Solids
Condensed Matter Physics/Nanoscience/Lab
Course accreditation
Bachelor of Science graduates with a major in nanoscience and technology are eligible for membership of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) if you include senior chemistry in your major.
Graduate opportunities
A wide variety of career options exist within the area of nanoscience including engineers, chemists, physicists, computer and materials scientists. With technological development and very high precision, engineers manufacture, machine and manipulate material to smaller and smaller dimensions. At the same time, chemists and materials scientists have developed methods for synthesising and assembling extremely small structures atom-by-atom.
Further study for major
Furthering your study of nanoscience and technology is possible through research programs like the honours year and subsequent postgraduate research programs like the MSc and PhD, or through postgraduate courses.
Eligible students can proceed to the honours year, where you gain not only the benefit of studying nanoscience and technology to a higher level (with a wide choice of courses to be taken), but you also gain invaluable experience in undertaking a research project supervised by one or more members of staff, and producing a thesis of your work. Many students also end up publishing one or more scientific papers based on their Honours research. After Honours, many students continue into a higher research degree to pursue careers in research.
Graduates can also undertake further study by completing a Masters by coursework, which offers a more structured mode of study and a qualification that is highly regarded in industry.
Related subject areas
Chemistry
Physics
Mathematics
Engineering