Undergraduate Courses
  • Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.

    However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.

Bachelor of Science (Nanotechnology)

This degree targets the emerging field of nanomaterials, molecular machines and nanoscience, and draws on the internationally recognised strengths of the University's materials-based research institutes.

The Bachelor of Science (Nanotechnology) has a materials chemistry focus with possible electives in physics, engineering (e.g. mechatronics) and biology. A total of five elective subjects gives students the scope to match the course to their interests, whilst retaining a core focus on molecular design and characterisation of materials at the nano-dimension.

Subject to satisfactory performance and the approval of the Course Co-ordinator and the Sub Dean, students may apply to transfer to the Bachelor of Nanotechnology at the end of the first year.

Mid-year entry for the Bachelor of Science (Nanotechnology) must be in consultation with the Head of the School. The minimum duration to complete the degree, if the program is commenced mid-year, is 3½ years full-time or part-time equivalent.

course structure

Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. Students who have not completed Chemistry and Physics at the HSC are strongly recommended to enrol in bridging courses offered in February each year.

HSC Mathematics Band 4 (or equivalent) is assumed knowledge and if the mathematics prerequisite is not met then this will most likely extend the length of time required to complete the degree.

Subject Code

Subject Name

Session

Credit Points

First Year

Autumn Session

CHEM101Chemistry 1A: Introductory Physical and General ChemistryAutumn

6

or   
CHEM104Foundation Chemistry: Properties of MatterAutumn

6

Note: Students who have achieved a mark of 65% or more in NSW HSC Chemistry or equivalent must select CHEM101. All other students must select CHEM104.
ENGG153Engineering MaterialsAutumn

6

MATH141Foundations of Engineering MathematicsAutumn

6

or   
MATH187Mathematics 1: Algebra and Differential CalculusAutumn

6

PHYS141Fundamentals of Physics AAutumn

6

Spring Session
CHEM102Chemistry 1B: Structure and Reactivity of Molecules for LifeSpring

6

or   
CHEM105Foundation Chemistry: Reactions and StructuresSpring

6

NAN0101Current Perspectives in NanotechnologySpring

6

MATH142Essentials of Engineering MathematicsSpring

6

or   
MATH188Mathematics 2: Series and Integral CalculusSpring

6

PHYS142Fundamentals of Physics BSpring

6

Summer Session
Only for students who have completed CHEM104 and CHEM105. 
  CHEM106Foundation Chemistry: Properties and Reactivity of Matter Summer

6#

# Note: CHEM106 does NOT count for credit with CHEM105, but is required for students completing CHEM104 and CHEM105 as pre-requisite subjects for most 200-level CHEM subjects. Completion of CHEM106 does NOT count towards the minimum 144 credit points for this course.
Second Year
Core
CHEM211Inorganic Chemistry IIAutumn

6

MATE201Structure of MaterialsAutumn

6

PHYS205Advanced Modern PhysicsAutumn

6

CHEM212Organic Chemistry IIAutumn

6

or   
MATE202Thermodynamics and Phase EquilibriaAutumn

6

CHEM213Molecular Structure, Reactivity and ChangeSpring

6

NANO201Research Topics in NanotechnologySpring

6

Select TWO electives to total 48 credit points at Second Year:

NOTE: Subjects are grouped into streams to guide students on possible combinations within an area of interest. Students are NOT required to choose electives from the same streams in Second Year and Third Year.

Materials Chemistry Stream

CHEM214

Analytical and Environmental ChemistrySpring6
MATE204Mechanical Behaviour of MaterialsSpring6

Physics Stream

MATH212

Applied Mathematical ModellingSpring

6

PHYS215Vibrations, Waves and OpticsSpring

6

Mechatronics Stream

ENGG152

Engineering MechanicsSpring

6

ENGG154Engineering Design and InnovationSpring

6

Other subject options

BIOL103

Molecules, Cells and OrganismsSpring6
STAT252Statistics for the Natural SciencesSpring6

Third Year

Core

 CHEM364

Molecular Structure and SpectroscopyAutumn

8

NANO301Research Project in NanomaterialsAutumn

8

CHEM301Advanced Materials and NanotechnologySpring

8

MATE302Polymeric MaterialsSpring

6

Options: Subjects are grouped into streams to guide students on possible combinations within an area of interest. Students are NOT required to select electives from a single stream.
Select any THREE electives from the following subjects:
Materials Chemistry Stream

CHEM314

Instrumental Analysis

Autumn

8

MATE301

Engineering Alloys

Autumn

6

MATE306

Fracture, Failure and Degradation

Autumn

6

MATE381

Experimental Methods and Computing

Autumn

6

CHEM320

Bioinformatics: From Genome to Structure

Spring

8

CHEM321

Organic Synthesis and Reactivity

Spring

8

MATE303

Ceramics, Glasses and Refractories

Spring

6

Physics Stream

PHYS305

Quantum Mechanics

Autumn

6

PHYS363

Advanced Photonics

Spring

6

PHYS396

Electronic Materials

Spring

6

Mechatronics Stream

ENGG251

Mechanics of Solids

Autumn

6

MECH215

Fundamentals of Machine Component Design

Spring

6

Other subject options

BIOL213

Principles of Biochemistry

Autumn

6

BIOL214

The Biochemistry of Energy and Metabolism

Spring

6

Or other subjects approved by the Coordinator

Honours

If the required academic standard is attained, the Bachelor of Science (Nanotechnology) student may transfer to the Bachelor of Nanotechnology fourth Honours year. This consists of special coursework plus a research project.

Professional Recognition/ACCREDITATION

Students may choose options enabling them to graduate and be eligible for accreditation with the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI).

OTHER Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: smah-students@uow.edu.au 

Last reviewed: 2 April, 2014