Science, Technology and Engineering

Nanotechnology

Master of Nanotechnology (SMNT)

Overview

The Master of Nanotechnology is a comprehensive two year course featuring both in-depth lecture units, seminars by leading speakers and a wide range of practical learning opportunities. Graduates are equipped with the broad range of the skills required to flourish in the rapidly developing field of nanotechnology. The course has a strong research focus, with high achieving students, those in the Honours stream, 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 Co-ordinator.

There is a quota on the number of students to be enrolled at each course intake. As an understanding of physics, chemistry and biology is important for admission to this course, 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.
The Nanotechnology Course Co-ordinator 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.

Professional recognition

Satisfactory completion of the course may meet the professional level requirements for membership of the Australian Institute of Physics, depending on the units 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, an honours stream and a regular stream. The first year of both streams is common and comprises 120CP of coursework units.

Regular stream

In the regular stream, the second year of enrolment comprises a further 120CP of coursework units. Students successfully completing 240CP in the regular stream graduate with a Master of Nanotechnology.

Honours stream

Students who achieve an average of 65% for all their units in the common first year of the course and who demonstrate an aptitude for research and experimentation may be invited to join the honours stream. These students will undertake a 60CP masters research thesis (approximately 18,000 words) along with a further 60CP of coursework units, as a part of the second year. Students successfully completing 240CP in the honours stream graduate with a Master of Nanotechnology (Honours).

Graduation from the honours stream fulfils the requirements for entry into a Ph.D. 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.

Note that a maximum of 60 credit points from undergraduate units (Level 1, 2, and 3 including those listed in Group C) may be counted toward the degree.

First year (120 credit points)
Core units (60 credit points)

Electives (60 credit points)

Choose a minimum of 30 credit points from Group A (Level 4, 5) Units.

Choose a maximum of 30 credit points from Group C (Level 3) Units.

Other undergraduate and postgraduate level units offered in relevant disciplines of the Faculty may be selected with the approval of both the Nanotechnology Course Co-ordinator and the department or area offering the unit.

Second year (120 credit points)

Students undertake one of the following streams of study

Regular Stream
Core units (60 credit points)

Electives (60 credit points)

Choose further units from Groups A, B and C to a minimum value of 60 credit points. Group A units are recommended.

Other undergraduate and postgraduate level units offered in relevant disciplines of the Faculty may be selected with the approval of both the Nanotechnology Course Co-ordinator and the department or area offering the unit.

Honours Stream
Core Units (105 credit points)

NAN5THA and NAN5THB (completed across two semesters) may be substituted with NAN5THX Nanotechnology Masters Thesis Extended (completed in one semester) to accommodate special circumstances and non-standard enrolments, with the approval of the Nanotechnology Course Co-ordinator.

Electives (15 credit points)

Choose a minimum of a further 15 credit points from Groups A, B and C. Group A units are recommended.

Other undergraduate and postgraduate level units offered in relevant disciplines of the Faculty may be selected with the approval of both the Nanotechnology Course Co-ordinator and the department or area offering the unit.

Group A (Level 4, 5) Units
Most units have prerequisites

Group B (Level 4, 5) Units
Most units have prerequisites

 
Group C (Level 3) Units
Most units have prerequisites

Advanced standing

Advanced standing may be available for previous tertiary studies, for units completed equivalent to fourth year level or the completion of a Postgraduate Diploma in Science majoring in Physics, Chemistry or a related discipline.

Comprehensive course information

The La Trobe Undergraduate Handbook includes full details of our course structures. The Handbook is available on-line at: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/handbook/

Unit offerings may change according to available staffing resources and because of the ongoing process of evaluation and updating of content. For the most comprehensive descriptions of units, students should access the La Trobe Unit Database on-line at www.latrobe.edu.au/udb_public.