1. Students meeting research in their second semester: Organizing students’ internships in nano-scientific research groups
Hege Ommedal, administrative coordinator
The Bachelor’s program in nanotechnology
Department of chemistry
University of Bergen

2. Curriculum for BScNano
6. Spring
Elective
5. Autumn
Methods
in nanotechnology
Informatics/
Statistics
4. Spring
Introduction to
nanotechnology
Physics 2
3. Autumn
Chemistry of the elements
Physics 1
Metabolism
2. Spring
NANO100
Calculus II
Introduction to molecular biology
1. Autumn
Exphil
Calculus I
General chemistry
Mandatory courses

3. NANO100 - Perspectives in nanoscience and -technology
Part 1
12 preparative colloquia
12 lectures
10 of 12 are mandatory
Part 2
Internship in a nano-scientific research group
3 hrs a week, 36 hours
1-2 hrs as a guest in the group
1 hr writing journal
Main aims for NANO100
To develop an understanding and overview of nanotechnology and –science early in their Bachelor’s studies
To give the students an introduction to nano research and by this motivating them to successfully complete their BSc in nanotechnology
To develop the students’ academic and generic skills

4. Key facts NANO100, spring 2010 15 students A total of 21 supervisors
4 partner departments at 2 faculties
Department of Chemistry*
Department of Physics and technology*
Department of Biomedicine**
Department of Clinical Dentistry**
*The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences **The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

5. The seasonal wheel for the NANO100 internship

6. Autumn - Preparatory phase
Information 1
September
Students and
supervisors
Collecting projects
from the research groups
October - November
Initial contact with the research group leaders
Secondary contact with the appointed supervisors, often PhD-students
Information 2
November
Meeting
Supervisors present the
projects for the students
Students rank between
scientific fields
Nano physics
Nano chemistry
Nano biomedisine
Assigning
students to projects
November
Initiation of
contact between student
and supervisor
December

7. Autumn - Preparatory phase
Information 1
September
Students and
supervisors
Collecting projects
from the research groups
October - November
Initial contact with the research group leaders
Secondary contact with the appointed supervisors, often PhD-students
Information 2
November
Meeting
Supervisors present the
projects for the students
Students rank between
scientific fields
Nano physics
Nano chemistry
Nano biomedisine
Assigning
students to projects
November
Initiation of
contact between student
and supervisor
December

8. Autumn - Preparatory phase
Information 1
September
Students and
supervisors
Collecting projects
from the research groups
October - November
Initial contact with the research group leaders
Secondary contact with the appointed supervisors, often PhD-students
Information 2
November
Meeting
Supervisors present the
projects for the students
Students rank between
scientific fields
Nano physics
Nano chemistry
Nano biomedisine
Assigning
students to projects
November
Initiation of
contact between student
and supervisor
December

9. Autumn - Preparatory phase
Information 1
September
Students and
supervisors
Collecting projects
from the research groups
October - November
Initial contact with the research group leaders
Secondary contact with the appointed supervisors, often PhD-students
Information 2
November
Meeting
Supervisors present the
projects for the students
Students rank between
scientific fields
Nano physics
Nano chemistry
Nano biomedisine
Assigning
students to projects
November
Initiation of
contact between student
and supervisor
December

10. Autumn - Preparatory phase
Information 1
September
Students and
supervisors
Collecting projects
from the research groups
October - November
Initial contact with the research group leaders
Secondary contact with the appointed supervisors, often PhD-students
Information 2
November
Meeting
Supervisors present the
projects for the students
Students rank between
scientific fields
Nano physics
Nano chemistry
Nano biomedisine
Assigning
students to projects
November
Initiation of
contact between student
and supervisor
December

11. Autumn - Preparatory phase
Information 1
September
Students and
supervisors
Collecting projects
from the research groups
October - November
Initial contact with the research group leaders
Secondary contact with the appointed supervisors, often PhD-students
Information 2
November
Meeting
Supervisors present the
projects for the students
Students rank between
scientific fields
Nano physics
Nano chemistry
Nano biomedisine
Assigning
students to projects
November
Initiation of
contact between student
and supervisor
December

12. Spring – Executive phase
Part 1
Week 2: Start colloquium
Week 3: Start lectures
Part 2 – Internship
Starts in week 4
April: Information to the supervisors regarding last-phase handling of laboratory journal
May/June: Student posters
Students finish their posters
Help the students formatting their posters
Arrange printing of posters
June - Exam:
Oral poster presentation
Public poster session

13. Summer - Evaluation and quality assurance
Three evaluations during the executive phase
All information is assembled in two handbooks which are updated each year
Students’ guide for NANO100 internship
Supervisors’ manual for NANO100 internship

14. Bachelorprogrammet i nanoteknologi UiB NANO100
Veiledermanual for studenthospitering

15. Challenges
Tracking the actual number of students who plan to take the course
Collect enough projects for a varying number of students
Coordinate the November info meeting for the students
Make sure that all the students have been contacted by their supervisors within medio December
Coordinate the last-phase actions/journal evaluation
Coordinate the printing of posters
Coordinate the exam day and the poster session

16. Suggestions for improvement
New routines for collecting projects – standard project portfolio from each department
New routines for information to the students
Booklet with project descriptions for the students to choose from
November information meeting then can become superfluous
Advantages:
Reduce the total work load on students and researchers
Assure complete information about the available projects

17. Transfer value Internship is applicable to other scientific fields
Research-based teaching funded on dedicated participation from relevant research environments
Internship can be introduced to both theoretical and practical projects or courses

18. Key factors to success Detailed administrative schedule
Constant dialogue with the students and the supervisors
Well balanced and precise information
Avoids misunderstandings
“Makes people happy”
Creates a good climate for cooperation

19. Outcome so far All the students have passed the course so far
The students give very good feedback over all
NANO100 won the prize for best practice in student education at The University of Bergen in 2010 – “The Owl Award”

20. Summary Curriculum and course development
We are in constant dialogue with the academic environment and the students to improve the course. We are dependent on all of them to make the course a success.
Supporting student learning and study skills Close attention from the supervisors and individual teaching schemes provide a tailor-made learning environment for each student when being a guest in the research group. They are challenged through multiple study methods which can improve their study skills while under supervision.
Student participation
The students participate by:
Choosing their field of nano research
Being active observers in the research groups
Giving oral exam presentations
Being presenters of nano-scientific research in a public poster session