Introduction to Bionanotechnology

Introduction to Bionanotechnology is a five-day intensive course with online support and written assignments. Each of the five days has a dedicated theme and will start with an introductory lecture, followed by lectures, case studies and discussions led by subject specialists from the University of Oxford and guest lecturers from other universities, companies and organisations.

Module content:

Day 1: Introduction to cell biology and bionanotechnology

• What is bionanotechnology? Challenges and opportunities
• Introduction to nucleic acids
• Introduction to proteins, lipids and sugars
• Components of biological systems and cells
• Introduction to cell culture

Day 2: Introduction to bioanalytical techniques

• Imaging the science of life – optical microscopy in biology
• Biological Electron Microscopy
• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) of biological systems
• Techniques for protein analysis
• Techniques for DNA analysis and DNA sequencing

Day 3: Applied genomics and proteomics

• Introduction to Proteomics
• Protein expression systems
• Clinical proteomics: How protein techniques help in evidence based medicine
• Applications of genetic technologies and DNA sequencing
• Forensic DNA analysis

Day 4: Nanoparticles, nanostructures and biomimetics

• Natural and incidental nanoparticles
• Engineered nanoparticles and their syntheses
• Applications of nanoparticles
• Biologically inspired nanostructures – introduction to biomimetics
• Industrial applications of biologically inspired nanostructures and materials

Day 5: Interaction of nanomaterials with biological systems

• Nanoparticle interactions at the cellular level
• Nanoparticle interactions at a whole organism level – exposure routes, risks and benefits
• Nanoparticles and their fate in the environment, health impact and risk assessment

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.

Those successfully completing the course with academic credit can apply to receive a CATS point transcript.

Stand alone Fee TBC

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

The course fee includes:

• Tuition;
• Course materials through our virtual learning environment (VLE);
• Access to the Bodleian Libraries e-Resources;
• Refreshments and lunch on each day of the course.

Before making your application for this short course, please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions which can be found to the right of this page.

Please see the MSc in Nanotechnology for Medicine and Health Care page for more information regarding fees when taking this course as a part of the MSc Programme.

Assessment will be based on submission of written assignments, totalling not more than 4,000 words in length. The assignments are submitted online.

Academic credit

Those wishing to may apply to take the course with accreditation. The University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education offers Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points for the course.

Students wishing to complete the Introduction to Bionanotechnology course with academic credit need to satisfactorily complete the coursework assessments. Attendance of a minimum of 80% of the course is required. Students fulfilling these requirements are eligible to earn credit equivalent to 20 CATS points which may be counted towards a postgraduate qualification.

Application deadline: three weeks before the commencement of the course.

This course requires you to complete the online application form (please press the 'Apply' button on the top right) and submit a copy of your CV as an attachment as part of your application.

If you are applying to take this course for academic credit you will also need to complete section two of the reference form and forward it to your referee for completion, to return to us at nano@conted.ox.ac.uk. Please note that if you are not applying to take the course for academic credit then you do not need to submit a reference.

To apply for this short course you should:

• have a degree in a mathematical or physical sciences discipline, e.g. mathematics, materials science, physics, chemistry, or engineering; or
• have a degree in biology, pharmacy, medicine or business and be able to demonstrate at least A-level (or equivalent) knowledge in mathematics and physics; or
• have some practical experience in a related field; and
• be able to demonstrate an interest in nanotechnology; and
• be able to demonstrate a suitable level of English (if this is not your first language).