Master of Nanotechnology
Course code/s: SMNT - Melbourne
The Master of Nanotechnology is a comprehensive two year course featuring both in-depth lecture subjects, seminars by leading speakers and a wide range of practical learning opportunities. Graduates are equipped with the broad range of skills required to flourish in the rapidly developing field of nanotechnology. The course has a strong research focus, with high achieving students working in state-of-the-art research laboratories equipped with world class fabrication and characterization resources.
Admission requirements
Applicants must have the equivalent of an Australian bachelor degree containing a major in physics and at least two years of chemistry or equivalent. Applicants should have obtained a minimum average of 65% in the third year of their bachelor degree, or have reached an equivalent standard as judged by the Nanotechnology Course Coordinator.
There is a quota on the number of students to be enrolled at each course intake. The best applicants will be selected, based on their provision of a curriculum vitae and their academic record.
Course intakes occur twice per year, at the beginning of the La Trobe University teaching semesters.
Professional recognition
Satisfactory completion of the course may meet the professional level requirements for membership of the Australian Institute of Physics, depending on the subjects selected.
Course structure
The full-time course is of two years (four semesters) duration. Part-time enrolment is available. The duration of a part-time enrolment should be equivalent to four semesters of a full-time enrolment.
The course has two streams, a research stream and a regular stream. The first year is common and comprises 120 credit points of coursework subjects. The second year of the regular stream comprises a further 120 credit points of coursework subjects.
Students who achieve an average of 65% for all their subjects in the first year of the course and who demonstrate an aptitude for research and experimentation may be invited to join the research stream. These students will undertake a 60 credit point masters research thesis (approximately 18,000 words) along with a further 60 credit points of coursework subjects, as a part of the second year. Graduation from the research stream fulfils the requirements for entry into a PhD in a relevant discipline area at La Trobe University.
Students should note that they may take out the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Science (SPSC) after successfully completing the first year of the Masters course only if they decide not to proceed to the second year of the Masters course.
The Nanotechnology Program Coordinator will assist commencing students to develop and have approved a tailored program of study, matched to both their current academic achievements and future career directions.
In both First Year and Second Year other honours and postgraduate level subjects offered in the relevant disciplines of the Faculty may be selected with the approval of the Nanotechnology Program Coordinator and the department or area offering the subject.
First year (120 credit points)
Core subjects (60 credit points)
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Issues in Nanotechnology A | NAN5ISA | 5 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Advanced Synchrotron Science and Technology | PHY5SYA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 or 2 | Issues in Nanotechnology Extended | NAN5ISX | 10 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Advanced Imaging and Materials Characterisation | PHY5IMA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Advanced Sensors and Devices | CHE5SEA | 15 |
Electives (60 credit points)
Choose further subjects from Group A or from other relevant disciplines of the Faculty to the value of 60 credit points in consultation with the Nanotechnology Program Coordinator. Group A subjects are recommended.
Second year (120 credit points)
Students undertake one of the following streams of study:
Regular Stream
Core subjects (30 credit points)
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Advanced Nanomaterials and Fabrication | PHY5NFA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Advanced Scanning Probe Microscopy | PHY5SPA | 15 |
Electives (90 credit points)
Choose further subjects from Group A or from relevant disciplines of the Faculty to the value of 90 credit points in consultation with the Nanotechnolocgy Program Coordinator. Group A subjects are recommended.
Research Stream
Core Subjects (90 credit points)
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Advanced Nanomaterials and Fabrication | PHY5NFA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Advanced Scanning Probe Microscopy | PHY5SPA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 or 2 | Nanotechnology Masters Thesis A | NAN5THA | 30 |
| TE-SEM-1 or 2 | Nanotechnology Masters Thesis B | NAN5THB | 30 |
NAN5THX (60 credit points) Nanotechnology Masters Thesis Extended (completed in one semester) may be substituted for NAN5THA and NAN5THB to accommodate special circumstances and non-standard enrolments, with the approval of the Nanotechnology Program Coordinator.
Electives (30 credit points)
Choose further subjects from Group A or from relevant disciplines of the Faculty to the value of 30 credit points in consultation with the Nanotechnolocgy Program Coordinator. Group A subjects are recommended.
Group A Elective subjects
Most subjects have prerequisites
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-2 | Bioinformatics | BIO5INF | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Proteomics and Genomics | BIO5PAG | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Molecular Nanoscience | CHE5MNS | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Advanced Atomic and Nuclear Physics | PHY5ANA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Advanced Physics of Quantum Matter | PHY5PQA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | Mesoscopic Nanoscience | PHY4MES | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 | X-ray Science | PHY4XRY | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Advanced Electromagnetic Theory and Plasma Physics | PHY5EPA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Advanced Thermal and Statistical Physics | PHY5TSA | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Quantum Mechanics and Electrodynamics | PHY4QME | 15 |
| TE-SEM-2 | Surface Science | PHY4SSC | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 or 2 | Directed Study in Nanotechnology | NAN5DIR | 15 |
| TE-SEM-1 or 2 | Advanced Nanotechnology Project | NAN5PRO | 15 |
Subject offerings may change according to available staffing resources and because of the ongoing process of evaluation and updating of content. Additional information on subjects is available from the School’s course handbooks.
Advanced standing
Advanced standing may be available for previous tertiary studies, for subjects completed equivalent to fourth year level or the completion of a Postgraduate Diploma in Science majoring in Physics, Chemistry or a related discipline.
Please note: Some of these subjects may not be offered in the current year. For a full description of subjects, including the subject name, subject code, credit points, campus/location, teaching period and availability, subject coordinator, class requirements, assessment, prerequisites and readings, please click on the appropriate Subject Code or refer to the Subject/Unit Database at www.latrobe.edu.au/udb_public.