PVB322 Advanced Nanotechnology

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This unit deepens the understanding of nanotechnology, which is an emerging field focused on understanding and exploiting the novel chemical and physical properties of matter at the nanometer scale. Nanomaterials offer substantial advantages in many applications due to their small size, which can lead to, for example, improved thermal conduction or insulation or exceptional low electrical resistivity. These properties are relevant to the improved sustainability of electrical devices, buildings, cars, etc. This is an advanced unit and comprises an introduction to the physics and chemistry related to nanoscale science, which will lead to the understanding of nano-objects and nanomaterials, with a bias towards technological applications derived from the fundamental sciences. This unit builds on PVB321, providing extra skills in computation to calculate properties at nanoscale that are relevant to physics, chemistry and engineering.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate your knowledge of the theoretical principles governing materials at the nanometer scale.
2. Analyse, interpret and discuss the properties and applications of nanotechnology
3. Identify applications of nanotechnology in energy, environment, electronics and sensing.
4. Communicate effectively orally and in writing with your peers and engage with non-expert audience about nanoscience.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit will be delivered in a flexible learning format, encompassing lectures (face-to-face and online), workshop sessions, technical films/videos and student tutorials/discussion forums.

Lectures: 26 hours (2hrs per week) will provide a background to the understanding of nanotechnology and to its use in sustainable applications. Each topic will be covered by one or more face to face lessons and online material.

Tutorial/discussion forum: 13 hours (1hr per week)

Computational workshops: 18 hours (9 x 2 hours sessions), will take place from week 3 onwards.

All learning activities will take place on campus.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive informal verbal feedback on you progress in this unit during tutorials and discussions throughout the semester. Written feedback will be provided with each assessment item.

Assessment

Overview

The assessment items allow you to demonstrate your technical knowledge in the topic, technical skills, problem-solving skills and proficiency in a range of communication genres representative of real world situations.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Portfolio

You will work independently and collaboratively to solve problems related to nanotechnology by using software algorithms and techniques presented during the computational laboratory training.
You will also work collaboratively in the labs to perform experiments related to the topics of the unit. You will submit a portfolio containing completed problem solving tasks and computer laboratory reports.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Presentation (Oral or Group)

You will choose one of the topics and prepare a short group presentation.

Assessment: Examination (written)

Final exam
Multiple choice and/or problem solving questions will be completed under invigilated conditions (closed book exam). The exam is based on the lectures from week 1-13.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

Not applicable.