Nanomaterials Masters of Research Course Overview 09/10 (Note, all dates in this document are provisional and subject to change. Consult on-line calendar for up-to-date schedule)

Welcome

Management Primary responsibility of the course will be shared: Course Coordination Course Director & Chair Board of Examiners: Prof. Nicholas Harrison Course Director: Dr Tim Albrecht [Course Co- Director: Prof. Milo Shaffer ] Pastoral Care Day to day admin: Ms. Lisa Benbow Other issues: NMH, TA or MS Broadly speaking Nicholas Harrison will deal with research projects and and Tim Albrecht will deal with the lecture course. The primary forms of disseminating information are , the web & the notice board – and a Facebook group MRes Nanomaterials Supervisors are responsible for individual Projects

Project Preference Form Discuss with supervisors Make choices and rankings Enter them on the project form to be handed in to Lisa Benbow 5pm 23/10 Students welcome to formulate new projects with academic staff If some supervisors have too many applicants the 2 nd /3 rd choice may apply Most projects confirmed Monday 26 th October Job 1: Select a project

You will normally be a full member of two research groups. A key aim of the MRES is to promote interaction with other group members You must attend relevant group/section seminars and normally give a talk in the series (discuss this with your supervisors) Note:all academic and administrative staff are busy so please be patient and /make appointments to see people Working in your research groups

realistic A detailed and realistic project plan including literature review (max 30 pages) Marked by supervisors, moderated by NMH/TA/MS Include headings as follows: Background place the problem in context why is it worth doing? likely impact of solution Current state of Art what has been done, is known etc who are the major groups worldwide major gaps in knowledge available methodologies.. Detailed project plan objectives what will you do, how will you do it how does the experimental work fit in with the modelling/theory (if applicable) Gant Chart tasks and timelines milestones to end August Job 2: Literature Report and Project Plan, (04/12). The most important part is the project plan which should be detailed and realistic The aim is to produce a piece of publishable original research

If you will be away from college for more than a day you must let Lisa know. Please give her a mobile or home number in case we need to contact you The supervisor sets holiday entitlement. The college closes for public holidays at Easter and Christmas. In accordance with the rules laid down by the Research Councils, no more than eight weeks, including public holidays, may be taken in each year. Students should always report holiday arrangements to their supervisor in advance. Research students are members of the College Students’ Union. You are encouraged to participate in its activities; the Union has an active postgraduate group which holds regular social events and discussions. Absence from College

Course Structure I Autumn Term Taught element 8 hour lectures in: i)Supramolecular Chem. of Nanomaterials (Joachim Steinke) ii)Nanotubes and Nanorods (Milo Shaffer) iii)Optical, Electronic and Magnetic Properties (Brian O’Regan) iv)Theory of Nanoscale Structures (Nicholas Harrison) And.. v) Materials Characterisation (David McComb & friends) 24 lectures Laboratories in the spring term vi) Solar Energy {Optional} (James Durrant) Research element i) select project ii) complete research proposal iii) begin research project

Course Structure II Spring Term Taught element Examinations at the beginning of January (W/C 11 th January) Materials Characterisation Lab Exercises Assessed Advanced Lectures (2 hours) i) Microfluidics (A. de Mello) ii) Molecular Nanobiotechnology (G. Gilardi) iii) Cellular Nanobiotechnology (A. Cass) iv) Colloidal Semiconductors (J. de Mello) v) Patterning polymers on the nanoscale (J. Steinke) vi) Nanoscale & Molecular Electronics (T. Albrecht) vii) Molecular thin films for optoelectronic applications (S. Heutz) viii) Nanofluidics (N. Quirke) ix) Single Molecule Detection (J. Edel) x) Nanomedicine (M. Thanou) Advanced Course Exam (12/03/10) Research element Research project continues Posters to be prepared before conference trip (April)

Course Structure III Summer Term Taught element Transferable skills courses Research Seminars (chemistry, physics, materials, biology ….) Research element i)research project report (23/08/10) ii)oral presentation at MRes symposium (06/09/10) iii)completion of research report Examiners’ Meeting (10/09/10) Important: you may be called to a viva by the external examiners on this day so you must be present in college on this day

An informal club run by YOU but usually also attended by NMH, TA or MS - weekly ~ 1 hour (?) - select an article of interest and circulate - presented by a student & discussed Journal Club

Course Timetable The course timetable is available at the following address: The timetable is subject to regular changes and should be consulted on a daily basis.

Scheme of Assessment: 2 Elements Research Based Assessment: 65 % comprising Literature Report and Project Plan (30 pages): 10% Report (60 pages) : 45% Project Oral Presentation (Nanomaterials mini-symposium) : 10% Taught Course Based Assessment: 35% comprising 10 hours written examination (Jan, Mar, May), contributing in total : 35% Overall mark 50% pass mark for each element (teaching and research). You must pass both! An overall mark of greater than 60% in each element will lead to a ‘merit’. An overall mark of greater than 70% in each element will lead to a ‘distinction’. A prize will be awarded to the highest performing student.

In May / June A relevant international conference Opportunity to submit an abstract for oral or poster presentation – possibly quite early (Nov ?) Typically we will spend a few days visiting research institutes and labs either side of the meeting. Conference Trip

Questions ?

Nanotech labs, Nanotech Final arrangements December 2008, through Lisa 1.The course contributes (max) £300 for flights (Lisa) 2.The student registration fee 3.Accommodation / transport to labs Anything not covered here is at your own expense. immigration/visas are your responsibility June 1-5 th 2008