Key facts

Overview

The University of Oxford’s online Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology is a quality online course aimed at professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds who wish to learn more about the foundations of nanotechnology, technological advances and the applications enabled by nanotechnology. There are opportunities to access cutting-edge research and up to date practice in a wide range of nanotechnology topics.

The course provides relevant, meaningful and up-to-date learning to enhance career development that is recognised and accepted within industry. A modular structure allows a flexible approach to learning and each module may be taken as a stand-alone short course. The tutor-led approach lends cohesion to the distance learning experience and it is tailored for busy people in full-time employment who wish to minimise time away from the workplace to study.

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Description

Nanotechnology is the production and application of devices and systems at the nanometer scale, which is of the order of one billionth of a meter. Developments in this area of technology are now coming to fruition, and increasingly impacting our daily lives. However it is recognised that there is a need for more people to understand the basics about this technology.

The University of Oxford online Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology offers a nine-month introduction to the subject. The course is taken part-time and online meaning that it can be taken from anywhere in the world by those seeking a solid foundation in nanotechnology, whilst having the option of working full-time. The course uses a blend of individual study of online learning materials, together with group work during online tutorials, discussions and research. The group sessions with tutors are particularly valuable because they offer highly authentic learning and assessment opportunities.

Features

Students study the Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology over three modules that introduce the most commonly used and most important analytical, quantitative and experimental methods in nanotechnology. The course has the following features:

• A unique online, part-time University of Oxford qualification aimed at industry.
• The course comprises three modules giving a thorough introduction to nanotechnology and the behaviour and characterisation of nano-particles.
• The course is taken part-time so students can complete the course whilst continuing to work full-time.
• The course is taught online and can be taken from anywhere in the world.
• Tutors provide online support and replicate electronically the famed Oxford tutorial system.
• Assessment throughout the modules ensures that students can monitor their progress.
• The course has a dedicated course director and administration team accustomed to supporting students undertaking distance learning courses.
• Students have access to staff at the University of Oxford’s Begbroke Science Park, particularly the Course Director, Dr Christiane Norenberg, and Professor Pete Dobson, the RCUK strategic advisor for nanotechnology.
• Throughout the course, students can use the University of Oxford’s unrivalled electronic library resources to enable them to complete the assignment tasks.

Who is it for?

The Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology is a unique part-time, online course leading to a postgraduate qualification at the University of Oxford. The course is designed for students wishing to study part-time. It will appeal to those working in the commercial or healthcare sectors, who use, or expect to use, nanotechnology in their work. Previous students include electrical engineers, materials scientists, project managers, patent agents, chemists, medical practitioners, plastic surgeons and food technologists as well as those involved in manufacturing, research and legislation.

What do students say about the course?

"I really enjoyed the module; in my academic & professional career to date I have had little exposure to the ethical and social science considerations of technology and so it was the first occasion I have had the time & opportunity to focus on the other aspects of technology development. The module content gave a good overview of the social, ethical, environmental and business considerations.".
Dr Lorraine Byrne, Hewlett Packard

"Although my background is in physics by education and electronics by career, by taking this course it has been instrumental in me obtaining a research post at the National Institute for Nanotechnology, Canada."
Richard Hull

"The Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology most certainly helped me making a start in the field and I was even invited to write an article for the Royal Society 350th Anniversary Year incorporating aspects of nanotechnology for drug delivery applications. I would have not been able to make such a contribution to the field without the training received in the course!"
Dr Sofia Pascu, University of Bath

Programme details

The Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology begins in October and runs for one year. Students take three online nanotechnology modules. At the end of the third module, students are required to attend a residential weekend in nano-scale materials characterisation based in Oxford. This takes place in early July at the University of Oxford's Begbroke Science Park.

The content of each module contains up-to-the-minute thinking and reflects the University of Oxford's world-leading research in nanotechnology. Each module has a different focus:

• Module 1: The Wider Context of Nanotechnology - looks at the current state of the technology and addresses their implications
• Module 2: The Fundamental Science of Nanotechnology - explains the mathematical foundation for nano-scale phenomena
• Module 3: Fundamental Characterisation for Nanotechnology - explores methods for investigating nanoparticles, thin films and nano-structures

Each module lasts for 10 weeks corresponding approximately to the University of Oxford's term calendar. Within each module, there are weekly online tutorials lasting for one hour as well as assignments and problem sheets. You should expect to spend an average of between 10 and 15 hours per week on independent study in addition to the timetabled tutorials.

Credit

Each module can be studied independently as a stand-alone course, or taken together to lead to the University of Oxford's Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology. Successful completion of Module 1 is equivalent to 10 CATS-equivalent (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points at postgraduate level. Successful completion of Modules 2 and 3 is equivalent to 25 CATS-equivalent points at this level for each. The CATS points system is recognised by all UK Higher Education institutions as a method of quantifying credit for a particular course.

The Basics of Nanotechnology

In partnership with the University of Oxford's Begbroke Science Park, we have developed an interactive multimedia resource to introduce the terminology, concepts and current debates surrounding this rapidly developing science and discussing its potential applications. The Basics of Nanotechnology gives a brief insight into nanotechnology: the basic concepts and terminology involved; the scientific background; some potential applications; and an overview of the wider considerations.

Selection criteria

Staff

Dr Christiane Norenberg

Role: Director & Tutor

Christiane is the Nanotechnology HEIF Manager at Oxford University Begbroke Science Park. She received her DPhil in Materials Science from the...more University of Oxford in 1998 and continued with postdoctoral research. In 2001, Christiane was awarded the Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship for her work on the growth and characterisation of nanostructures on semiconductor surfaces. After a period as a lecturer at the Multidisciplinary Nano- technology Centre at Swansea University, Christiane returned to Oxford in 2007 to take up her present post.

Her interests and expertise are in the areas of surface science, growth and characterisation of nanostructures on surfaces, and nanotechnology in general. Christiane also teaches nanoscience and materials science at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

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Professor Peter J Dobson

Role: Tutor

Professor Dobson is currently the Academic Director at Begbroke Science Park. After a career as a lecturer in Physics at Imperial College and...more Senior Principal Scientist at Philips Research laboratories he was appointed to a University Lectureship and College Fellowship at the Queen’s College Oxford in 1988 and a Professorship in 1996. At Oxford his research moved into the areas of nanoparticles, nanostructures, optoelectronics and biosensors. In 1999 he spun-off a company, now called Oxonica plc, that specializes in making nanoparticles for a wide range of applications, ranging from sunscreens to fuel additive catalysts and bio-labels. In 2000, with colleagues in Chemistry and Engineering, he spun-off Oxford Biosensors Ltd that made a hand-held device based on enzyme-functionalized microelectrode arrays. He was appointed to his present position in August 2002 and has the responsibility of setting up new research institutes that combine University activities with company R&D, and leading a team that facilitates the rapid transfer of technology and knowledge. This has led to him being in demand internationally to advise on Knowledge Transfer. He consults widely and advises several corporate and national organizations on nanotechnology. His research interests are very broad, covering most aspects of nanotechnology, and embracing biotechnology, environmental technology, energy, materials science, especially the applications to medicine. He is also currently the Strategic Advisor on Nanotechnology to the Research Councils in the UK.

Read Professor Peter J Dobson's article 'Nanotechnology in the UK'.

A closer look at extending life - Professor Peter J Dobson took part in a seminar for The Guardian in January 2012 which explored whether Nanotechnology can prolong life and whether it is safe.

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Dr Keith Simons

Role: Tutor

Dr Keith Simons, a chemist by training is an independent innovation consultant who works as an interim manager in business development and...more fund-raising for high-technology start-up organisations. He also works for Regional, National and European governments in evaluation and monitoring of publicly-funded research. Keith is also the tutor for our first course to feature Adobe Connect Professional, the Post-Graduate Certificate in Nanotechnology.

He has previously been the Business Development Manager for the Crystal Faraday Partnership, a not-for-profit organisation, backed by the British government and responsible for advancing innovation in Green Chemical Technologies for the chemical and allied industries. Prior to Crystal Faraday, he worked for Avantium Technologies in Amsterdam a start-up company that developed high throughput technologies for the chemicals and pharmaceutical industries. This built upon his experience as development chemist at Johnson Matthey in the UK where he developed accelerated techniques for catalyst development and process optimisation for pharmaceutical manufacture.

Keith has degrees from the Universities of Hull and Liverpool. He has also performed post-doctoral research at the ETH, Zurich.

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Course aims

By the end of the Postgraduate Certificate students will be expected to:

• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the physical principles, mathematical methods and techniques appropriate for solving nanotechnology problems and be able to apply them to industrial problems through a critical comprehension of the relative advantages and disadvantages of these methods.
• Demonstrate an understanding of some of the most common applications of nano-scale phenomena and how these relate to the solution of nanotechnology problems in industry.
• Manage their learning and research and conduct independent and effective study.
• Apply skills gained in analytical techniques from across the physical sciences.

Assessment methods

To qualify for the Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology students must complete one face-to-face weekend course. Attendance of a minimum of 70% of the online tutorials is required. Students must actively participate in the online modules to the satisfaction of the course director.

For each module, students must satisfactorily complete the coursework assessment. Assessed work will be a portfolio of assignments, including written reports, problem sheets and presentations, for each of the modules, totalling not more than 2500 words in length for Module 1, and not more than 6000 words for each of Modules 2 and 3. Assessment is based on individual research and group discussions, and is designed to consolidate the studied materials, and challenge and review questions, to encourage a deeper understanding and application of the materials. Assignments are submitted online.

Accommodation

Accommodation for the residential weekend is available at the Rewley House Residential Centre, within the Department for Continuing Education, in central Oxford. The comfortable, en-suite, study-bedrooms are rated 4-star, and come with free high-speed internet access and TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme.

Payment

Fees must be paid in accordance with the Contractual and Financial Information [see below] for this programme. All amounts are in pounds sterling.

The course fees for the academic year 2013-14 are £6,930. These can be paid either as a single payment or as five monthly payments of £1,386 from 1 October 2013 to 1 February 2014.

Students registered on the Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology are entitled to free membership of the Institute of Nanotechnology.

Scholarships

Details of funding opportunities, including grants, bursaries, loans, scholarships and benefit information are available on our financial assistance page.

Modules in this programme

The following modules can be studied as part of this programme:

• Nanotechnology (4)
• Fundamental Characterisation for Nanotechnology
• Nano-scale Materials Characterisation
• The Fundamental Science of Nanotechnology
• The Wider Context of Nanotechnology

Apply for this course