Outline

Overview

Nanoscience concerns the study of matter at the nanometer scale. At the microscale and even more at the nanoscale, the properties of matter are very different from those in the bulk. Modern methods used in nanoscience enable the manipulation and fabrication of matter and devices with unique properties. Nanoscience is a multidisciplinary research field that bridges the boundaries of traditional disciplines such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Engineering, generating impact across a wide range of sectors, from academic institutions and research centres to industry, addressing societal challenges in energy, environment, communication, computing, and health. This unit provides an introduction to nanostructured materials and the physical properties they exhibit. You will learn the fabrication tools and processes used in nanoscience, such as top-down and bottom-up, and the nanoscale characterization tools used across different disciplines. You will get direct exposure to research labs and tools available at the University, and in particular within the Sydney Nano Institute. You will develop skills required to address the complex and multidisciplinary problems in Nanoscience. By doing this unit, you will develop knowledge and skills that will enable you to play a role in finding nanoscience solutions to global challenges that impact our lives.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Physics Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	CHEM1XX1 or AMME1362 or AMME2302 or PHYS1003 or PHYS1004 or PHYS1902 or PHYS1904 or CIVL2110
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	A first-year level knowledge about the atomic and molecular structure of matter, of the electronic structure of atoms, and basic mathematical knowledge.
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Stefano Palomba, stefano.palomba@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Group presentation Oral presentation	20%	Formal exam period	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Tutorial quiz 3 Quiz	13.33%	Formal exam period	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Tutorial quiz 1 Quiz	13.33%	Week 06	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Tutorial quiz 2 Quiz	13.33%	Week 10	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project report Written report	30%	Week 13	2000
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Tutorial worksheet 1 Short answer and MCQ	1.43%	Weekly	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Tutorial worksheet 2 Short answer and MCQ	1.43%	Weekly	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Tutorial worksheet 3 Short answer and MCQ	1.43%	Weekly	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Tutorial worksheet 4 Short answer and MCQ	1.43%	Weekly	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Tutorial worksheet 5 Short answer and MCQ	1.43%	Weekly	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Tutorial worksheet 6 Short answer and MCQ	1.43%	Weekly	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Tutorial worksheet 7 Short answer and MCQ	1.43%	Weekly	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Tutorial quiz: Students will complete a tutorial quiz based on the tutorials topic.
Tutorial worksheet: Students will complete a worksheet based on the tutorials topic.
Group presentation: Students will present a group presentation to the whole class, lecturers and members of the Sydney Nano, illustrating their finding on the chosen project in an engaging manner.
Written report: Students will complete a written report based on their presentation topic.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Formal exam period	Quiz on part 3 (bioengineering)	Tutorial (3 hr)
Formal exam period	Project presentations	Presentation (3 hr)
Week 01	Introduction to nanoscience and introduction to nanotechnology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Scientific literature search, read and write	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Quantum mechanics and nanoscale materials and nanoelectronics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Atomic force microscope demonstration	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 03	Nanomechanics and semiconductor-based nanomaterials	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Transmission electron microscope, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy demonstrations	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Carbon-based nanomaterials and nanophotonics 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Raman spectroscopy and tip enhanced raman spectroscopy demonstration	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 05	Nanophotonics 2&3 - plasmonics and its applications	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Slidedology and how to deliver effective technical presentations	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	TBD	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Introduction to soft nanomaterials – surfaces	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Nanoparticles (natural and manufactured) and Nanoparticle fabrication (“bottom-up approaches”)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Quiz on part 1 (physics), project definition and guest lecture	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Nanoparticle functionalization and DNA origami	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Synthesis and spectroscopy characterization of semiconductor QDs, theory and practice demonstration of carbon QDs preparation, insertion into live cells and preparations of Fe3+ cells	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 09	Applications of nanomaterials: nanomedicine and summary - soft nanomaterials	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Theory optical, confocal and multiphoton microscopy and optical imaging/fluorescent spectrum characterization of the live cells prepared in week 8 with and without the carbon QDs	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 10	Introduction to bionanotechnology and biological nanomaterials and leveraging biology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Quiz on part 2 (chemistry), project discussion and preparation (literature review)	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Synthetic nanoscale structures for biomedical applications 1 and 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Project discussion and preparation (analysis and synthesis)	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Design and fabrication of nanoscale surface features for biomedical applications 1 and 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Project discussion and preparation	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Biological nanoscale structures and their biomedical applications 1 and 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Project discussion and preparation and submission	Tutorial (3 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate an understanding of key characterisation and fabrication processes and techniques used in nanoscience
LO2. explain how the properties of materials change when confined at the nanoscale and why, across different disciplines
LO3. apply the nanoscience knowledge acquired in this unit to real world problems and articulate the relevance of nanoscale investigations and their findings to the local and global community
LO4. find and analyse scientific information from a range of sources and judge its reliability and significance in relation to nanoscience
LO5. work collaboratively and autonomously with academic integrity with others in the processes of learning, experimentation, problem solving and assessment
LO6. communicate scientific information appropriately, both orally and through written work
LO7. create and develop new ideas based on the acquired knowledge.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We have structured more the project and make it less constrained defining better the expectations. We also are going to enhance the communication on Canvas.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General laboratory safety rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory

As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

NANO2002: Introduction to Nanoscience

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect