Nanomaterials

Nanotechnology represents a fundamental change in the way we interact with the natural world, and is set to deliver major scientific and technological advances.

The massive global investment in nanotechnology means that scientists, who are trained to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment that bridges the diverse fields of chemistry, physics, materials science, biology and engineering, will play a vital role in shaping the future.

The course provides the background required for a career in industrial or academic research. Combining interdisciplinary teaching with cutting-edge research, this flagship course will train the next generation of nanotechnologists.

Taught courses introduce nanoscience from material science, physics, chemical and biological perspectives. The year-long research project and presentation at an international conference introduces students to state-of-the-art nanoscience. The course is associated with the London Centre for Nanotechnology, a joint venture between Imperial College London and UCL, allowing a wider choice of collaborative opportunities.

In the first term you will be allocated a research project from your top three choices. Under the supervision of your project team you start researching and writing a project synopsis/ research plan, to be submitted in November.

You also undertake a programme of taught material in five core areas:

• modelling of nanomaterials
• characterisation of nanomaterials
• supramolecular chemistry of nanomaterials
• optical, electronic and magnetic properties of nanomaterials
• nanotubes and nanorods

You begin term two with an assessment on the core lecture courses undertaken in term one. You also begin your research project in the laboratory.

Continuing with your programme of taught material, you will also attend a lab course and assessment on nanomaterials characterisation, plus ten two-hour lectures on topics such as microfluids and molecular and cellular nanobiotechnology.

You also attend Journal Club, which is an assessed transferable skills course. It aims to develop presentation skills, whilst encouraging scientific debate, and providing the opportunity to broaden scientific knowledge.

At each Journal Club meeting you will work in a group and make a presentation about a high impact paper. This will be followed by a chaired discussion/debate about the paper.

You will be assessed on your ability to organise the presentation in a logical manner, the use of clear PowerPoint slides, the clarity of the presentation and its scientific content.

In term three, you will continue to work on your research project, to be written up as a dissertation. You will also present your research findings at a one day MRes Conference held at the beginning of September, which counts towards your overall assessment.

Academic requirement: 2:1 degree or higher in a relevant subject (particularly in subjects such as Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Materials, Biochemistry and Engineering) from a UK institution or an equivalent overseas qualification.

English language requirement: IELTS 6.5 (writing and speaking 6).

There are opportunities to gain scholarships in a competitive fashion. These will provide funding towards tuition fees and/or living expenses and will be granted on the basis of academic merit and excellence of the applicant.

Tuition fees (2015–2016):

• Home/EU Full-time — £10,450
• Overseas Full-time — £29,300