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Area/Catalogue
NASC 2008

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Course Level
Undergraduate

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Offered Externally
No

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Course ID
106092

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Unit Value
4.5

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University-wide elective course
Yes

Course owner

Course owner
School of Engineering

Course aim

  • To provide a broad overview of the importance of bio and nanomaterials in modern materials science and society
  • To provide the foundations of the physicochemical principles of nano and biomaterials
  • For students to appreciate ethical issues related to the study and use of nano and bio materials
  • To expose students to professional practices in research, synthesis and communication, and
  • To expose students to alternative modes of the communication of science
  • To provide an appreciation of the principles of materials selection in design with a focus on the selection of appropriate nano and biomaterials.

Course content

Nanomaterials - The Nanoalphabet: Writing on the Nanoscale; The Nano-onion: Layer upon Layer of Material; The Nanoshape Game: Spheres, Rods, and Stars; Size matters: Optical Properties of Nanomaterials; Nano on the Inside: Zeolites and MOF; Soft Nanomatter: Polymer Nanomaterials; Intelligent (Nano)Design: Principles of Self-Assembly; Old Nano: Tiny Minerals; Nanolabs: Experiments on the Nanoscale

Biomaterials - The Long and the Short of it: Polymer Biomaterials; Not Just for Implants: Silicones in the Body; That’s Swell: Hydrogels and Water; Get Smart: Stimulus Responsive Biomaterials; Here Today, Gone Tomorrow: Biomaterials that Fade Away; Slip and Stick: Bioimplants; Old Bio: Metals and Ceramics; The Best of Both Worlds: Surface Modification; Repel or Attract: Controlling Biomolecule Adsorption.

Tutorials will focus on numerical problem solving related to the lectures, based on a single physical/chemical principle elucidated within each (using an ‘Equation of the Day’), designed to provide a clear connection between either a nano or bio phenomenon, and a materials property.

Workshops will focus on the use of social media as a means of science communication, debate, and engagement, with the following topics: Twitter Science; Blogging for Science Communication; Blogging for Science Critique; Websites for Science Content; Making the Connections; Making a Mark in Web2.0; then preparation of a blog.

Textbook(s)

Nil

Prerequisite(s)

Completion of first year of a Science or Engineering degree program.

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Component Duration
INTERNAL, MAWSON LAKES
Lecture 2 hours x 12 weeks
Tutorial 1 hour x 9 weeks
Workshop 1 hour x 9 weeks
Seminar (Seminars (presentation of online blogs)) 1 day x 1 week

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.


Assessment

Conference, Tutorial work, Workshops/Internet Blog Article

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 2)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
How to determine your Commonwealth Supported course fee. (Opens new window)

Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
How to determine the relevant non award tuition fee. (Opens new window)

Not all courses are available on all of the above bases, and students must check to ensure that they are permitted to enrol in a particular course.

* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.

Course Coordinators

Degrees this course is offered in

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