Programme Description
Nanoscience is an emerging field, which researches the nature and the
use of systems by using components of nanometre size. It comprises an
assortment of scientific areas with potential applications in almost all
branches of industry. The basic goal of nanoscience is to understand
the structure and dynamics of materials at the atomic and molecular
level on which their macroscopic properties are based. By understanding
how to micromanipulate atoms and molecules it is possible to create new
molecules, devices and machines with completely unique properties and
applications. As examples, we can cite projects for building atomic size
computer components on silicon chips, constructing new molecules that
can sense particular viruses and bacteria, magnets at the level of
molecules, micromotors, and molecules that can use sunlight to control
environmental pollutants.
Credit Framework (ECTS)
Total number of ECTS for the second-cycle study programme
|
120 ECTS
|
Required Courses
|
50 ECTS
|
Elective Courses
|
20 ECTS
|
Individual Research/Project Work
|
20 ECTS
|
Master Thesis
|
30 ECTS
|
Curriculum
1st YEAR (ECTS)
Required Courses (40 ECTS)Introduction to Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies (10 ECTS)
Fundamentals of Physics of Materials (10 ECTS)
Fundamentals of Materials Chemistry (10 ECTS)
Seminar I (10 ECTS)
Elective Courses (20 ECTS)
2nd YEAR (ECTS)
Required Courses (10 ECTS)Seminar II (10 ECTS)
Project: Individual Research/Project Work (20 ECTS)
Master Thesis (30 ECTS)
Courses
BASIC OBJECTIVES
The basic objective of this programme is to qualify the candidate for:
A) General competences
- ability for individual research work on the field of nanosciences and nanotechnologies,
- ability to research, select and organize information, as well as synthesize solution and anticipate their consequences,
- mastering of research methods, procedures and processes, development of critical and self-critical assessment,
- ability to use knowledge in practice,
- autonomy in professional work, as well as responsible and creative performance of activities,
- development of communication abilities and skills, particularly for communication in international environment,
- ethical reflection and commitment to professional ethics and regulations,
- cooperativeness, work on joint assignments and problems within a group and in international environment.
B) Subject-specific competences
- knowing the basic laboratory and spectroscopic techniques in nanoscience and nanotechnology,
- understanding the systems at atomic and molecular scale,
- ability to combine various skills and knowledge to identify and analyze nanotechnological issues,
- ability to analyze ethical aspects of practices, institutions and valuations associated with nanotechnology,
- continuing research & development work in the field of nanotechnology,
- knowing the concepts of nanotechnology,
- obtaining
the basic natural-science and technical knowledge in the field of
nanotechnology in the form of combining the existing solution.
RESEARCH AREAS
The Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Programme is a cross-disciplinary
postgraduate study programme comprising the following research areas:
- Nanomaterials and nanochemistry,
- Nanophysics
(including the physics of ultrathin layers, physics of nanotubes,
physics of lateral nanostructures, physics of quantum dots, and methods
for the analysis of nanostructures and the nanomanipulation of atoms and
molecules),
- Biosciences,
- Advanced metalic materials,
- Nanomechanics (including the mechanics of time dependent materials).
All
the courses include the provision of basic skills for successful
communication with experts in the areas of economic and civil law,
corporate microeconomics and project management, and the basics of
sustainable development.
Special emphasis will be placed on research into:
- Nanocomposites and hybrid materials,
- "Smart" ceramic materials and thin films,
- Submicron fibres,
- Nanochemistry involving the synthesis of new molecules through the manipulation of individual atoms,
- Structural
and molecular biology as prerequisites for utilizing knowledge of the
human genome, understanding biological functions of particular proteins
and the processes involving them,
- Biomaterials, particularly new types of agents and direct delivery of agents to the target sites,
- Molecular motors,
- "Smart" ferroelectrics and piezoelectrics,
- Organic and inorganic nanotubes, nanowires and quantum dots,
- "Smart" gels,
- Materials potentially usable for miniaturizing electronic components and elements for quantum computers,
- Materials
usable for “spintronics” where spins are used instead of electrons to
perform logic and other operations, and where a new degree of
miniaturization is expected,
- New research techniques and methods to study the structure and dynamics of nanomaterials.
Similarly,
there is a possibility for developing new areas in chemistry and
pharmacy where new compounds are synthesized at the molecular level. The
programme thus integrates a number of natural science and technical
disciplines. Special emphasis is placed on the project-based research
work of students, mentors and professors as an integral part of the
study programme. Target knowledge and skills, which will be obtained by
students in the areas of civil and commercial law, microeconomics,
patent and intellectual property law, and the methods of raising
"venture" capital, should enable the students, upon the completion of
their studies, to better communicate with experts in these areas in
order to develop and commercialize the results of nanotechnological
research.