Courses: NANO100 Perspectives on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology - Autumn 2018

Objectives and Content

The main goal is to introduce the unique features and qualities of nanoscience and -technology, through examples from current research projects within and outside the University of Bergen, examples of nanotechnology in products and issues of ethical and social character related to technology. A partial goal is for the students to get insight into the nature of scientific research as well as dissemination of scientific research. The course consists of a series of lectures presenting current nanoscientific and -technological topics. Each lecture is preceded by a mandatory discussion colloquium. In addition, each student becomes an intern in a research group on a weekly basis, to get insight into a specific nanoscience research problem and relevant methods. The student is presented with written material as a basis for the internship and is expected to present a report over the research stay. The report is subject to approval. At the end of the semester, the student presents the project in terms of a poster.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course students should be able to:

Knowledge

The student

has the ability to exemplify the concepts of nanoscience and nanotechnology and explain the unique qualities of this field of science.
has the ability to explain important instrumental methods for unraveling of the nanostructure of materials.
has the ability to explain important classes of nanostructured materials and their manufacturing.

Skills

The student

is able to discuss how technology and society influence each other.
is able to explain the nature of scientific research and how it is conducted.

General competence

The student

can tell about different kinds of nanoscientific research at the University of Bergen.
can present a topic through written reports, poster and oral presentation.

Required Previous Knowledge

The student must have a study right at the Bachelor's Program in Nanotechnology.

To be able to sign up for the teaching and evaluation in the course is it as requirement that the student actively participate in the process organised by the student administration in the semester prior to the planned teaching semester.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Participate in at least 10 of 12 lectures. Participate in at least 10 of 12 colloquia. Participating in the orientation with the different research groups and in the work carried out with one of the research groups, including the preparation of a project report. Additionally, each student must produce a poster presenting the science of the assigned research project, and prepare an oral presentation based on the poster.

Forms of Assessment

NANO100 is evaluated by portfolio assessment with four elements:

Multiple-choice test
Orientation and project
Poster
Oral presentation

In order to give the oral presentation the student must have approved participation in the mandatory activities, including compulsory attendance in lectures and colloquium, approved participation in the orientation with the research groups and approved participation in the work with their assigned research group. The portfolio is assessed as Passed/Failed. In order to obtain the grade "Passed" for the NANO100 course the student must pass all the individual portfolio elements, multiple-choice test, orientation and project, poster, and oral presentation.

The portfolio assessment elements are valid for the 2 successive years after the semester they were carried out.

For semesters without teaching and for students that have valid assessment elements for the orientation and project, poster, and oral presentation, there will be a written exam (2 h). The three above mentioned portfolio elements will be included in the basis of the grading.

Grading Scale

Passed/Failed.