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Key facts
| Types | Online and Distance Learning Oxford Qualification - Part-time Professional Development Short Courses |
|---|---|
| Location | Online |
| Dates | Mon 29 Apr to Sun 7 Jul 2013 |
| Subject area(s) | Nanotechnology |
| CATS points | 25 |
| Fees | From £2365.00 |
| Application status | In progress - closed to new applications |
| Course code | O12C523F2Y |
| Course contact | If you have any questions about this course, please email nano@conted.ox.ac.uk or telephone 01865 286954. |
Overview
The Fundamental Characterisation for Nanotechnology course provides a justification for materials characterisation, and a framework for considering strategic and tactical issues. It also gives an overview of the most common techniques and methodologies available to determine the nature and composition of nanoparticles (both organic and inorganic), thin films and nano-structures.
The course presents generic descriptions of techniques and methodologies, together with representative case studies. In addition to the course material and online tutorials, the course incorporates interactive team-projects, whereby iterative 'proposals' are presented to experts, who then provide feedback and guidance for further development. The course includes a residential weekend in Oxford where students have an opportunity to see the latest characterisation methods at the University of Oxford's Begbroke Science Park.
The Fundamental Characterisation for Nanotechnology online course can be taken alone, with or without credit, or as part of the Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology.
Please send me an email about future Fundamental Characterisation for Nanotechnology courses.
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Description
Materials characterisation is the use of external techniques to probe into the internal structure and properties of a material or object. This course will be of interest to you if you are faced with questions such as:
- What are the attributes of a given material?
- Are the attributes of the material those intended, were promised, or were led to expect?
- Is our chosen materials processing route, or device fabrication route, working as intended, or as it did yesterday?
In answering these questions, the course takes a trouble-shooting approach to nanoparticle characterisation, beginning with the material or object:
- identifying the information that is required;
- formulating an approach to obtaining that information;
- making a rational choice of technique(s) and methodology(ies);
- giving due regard to efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
The course also introduces the key methods and approaches used in materials characterisation for nanotechnology and offers guidance as to when and how each technique is best used. Overall the course has been designed so that students can study it in the way that works for them. However you want to study, we are aware that this is easiest to do if you are given some idea of the assumptions that have been made about how to get the most out of the module; these are:
- You should study between 10 and 15 hours each week, including all your reading, writing and thinking about the course.
- Each unit should take approximately a week to study. The units will make the most sense if studied in the order in which they are presented but can be studied in any order.
- There are a series of review questions designed to let you know whether you have understood a unit, whilst other activities make you draw your learning together.
- You should work on the module level activities in parallel with studying the main materials.
A small sample of the Fundamental Characterisation for Nanotechnology course is available through our virtual learning environment.
Programme details
The Fundamental Characterisation for Nanotechnology course begins in April and runs for 10 weeks. The course is divided into 10 units, each of which is designed to take approximately 1 week to study:
- An introduction to what is meant by materials characterisation
- The essential elements of the physical basis for X-ray and electron diffraction
- Imaging, optical and electron-optical microscopies - imaging at the macro-scale to the nano-scale
- Micro and nano-analytical techniques
- Scanning probe techniques - physical principles and generic methodologies
- Spectroscopies - techniques, with the emphasis on surface and film analysis
- Physical chemical techniques
- Tactical and practical aspects of materials characterisation
- A review of problems and further reading
- An overview of strategic issues – synthesis and summary
Characterisation Weekend
At the end of the taught part of the course, students attend a weekend in Oxford at the University of Oxford's Begbroke Science Park in association with BegbrokeNano, a well-established focus of characterisation expertise, and one of the United Kingdom's DTI Micro Nano Technology (MNT) Centres of Excellence.
During the weekend students are given information on the latest techniques for nanoparticle characterisation and demonstrated some of the latest pieces of equipment from manufacturers. Explanations of the principles behind the techniques and demonstrations of the equipment allow students to gain an understanding of how best to characterise nano-materials.
Over the two days, the presentations, discussions and demonstrations focus on characterisation and problem-solving in surface and interface science and technology as well as characterisation of nano-particles and nano-structures. In particular, the following groups of techniques are considered:
- Surface specific electron spectroscopic (XPS) and spectrometric (SIMS) techniques
- Electron-optical analytical and imaging (EPMA/WDS, SEM/EDS, TEM/EDS, HRTEM) techniques
- Photon spectroscopic (IR and Raman probes) and thin-film profilometry techniques
- Scanning probe (AFM in various operational modes) and stylus (Dektak) techniques
- Light scattering for particle characterization (particle analysis, dynamic light scattering, centrifugal sedimentation, laser diffraction)
Staff
Dr Christiane Norenberg
Role: Director
Dr Neil Young
Role: Tutor
Dr Frank Dillon
Role: Tutor
Course aims
The principal objectives of the course are to:
- Provide an overview of methods and techniques available for characterising materials relevant to nano-scale technologies.
- Develop a framework for effective and reliable use of resources that are available for characterisation of objects whose properties depend on meso- and nano-scale structure.
- Provide the basic tools for formulating a plan of attack for obtaining relevant, reliable and cost-effective information.
- Acquire the background to survey the literature and to hold informed discussions with relevant experts.
Certification
Sample certificate
.Short course participants who do not wish to undertake the assessed work required for academic credit but who do satisfy the course participation requirements will receive a certificate of completion. The pdf sample above is an illustration only, and the wording will reflect the course and dates of study.
Those successfully completing the couse for credit can apply to receive a CATS point transcript.
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
The course fee includes online tuition and course materials. For the Characterisation Weekend, refreshments and lunch will be provided on both days of the weekend, as well as transportation from Oxford city centre to the course venue.
Scholarships
Details of funding opportunities, including grants, bursaries, loans, scholarships and benefit information are available on our financial assistance page.
Apply for this course
You can take this course in one of three ways:
- Alone not for credit
- Alone for CATS-equivalent credit
- As part of Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology
How to apply
If you would like to apply for the Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology please visit the Programme page.
To apply for a module as a short course please use the documents below.
Application deadline: 15 April 2013
Early application is strongly recommended. Completed applications must have been received at least 14 days before the course starts.
- Your application can only be fully considered when an application form is supplied complete with payment or purchase order number
- Please note no payments are processed until a student has been accepted onto the course
- Your application will require a copy of your CV, and if you wish to take the course for credit, a reference.
Once we have received your completed application it will be considered by the admissions panel.
If your chosen course is full it is possible to submit a completed application form which, if successful, will be added to the waiting list. You will then be given the opportunity to attend should a place become available.
Contact
If you would like to discuss your application or any part of the application process before applying please contact:
Tel: +44 (0)1865 286954 - Email: nano@conted.ox.ac.uk
Application form
Sorry, this course is not currently accepting applications. If you have any questions about this course, please use the course enquiry form.
Programmes including this module
This module can be studied as part of these programmes: