 |
| DESCRIPTION |
| |
This course
will provide a comprehensive introduction to the emerging fields of
nano science and nano engineering, with an emphasis on the main ideas
and concepts. Through directed readings and discussion, students
will study the scientific underpinnings, and explore the societal impact
and ethical implications of nanotechnology. They will also explore
the potential for nanotechnology to impact a wealth of innovative applications
across a vast array of fields including healthcare, environment, biotechnology,
energy and food production, information technologies, and aerospace |
| LEARNING OBJECTIVES |
| |
Upon completion of the
course, students will
- understand and appreciate that material properties on the nanometer
scale are different than those on the familiar macroscopic scale;
- understand and appreciate the common roots of physics, chemistry,
and biology on the atomic and nanometer scale;
- understand and be able to quantify physical phenomena on the
nanometer scale;
- understand and be able to quantify how physical phenomena on
the nanometer scale determine various material properties (mechanical,
optical, electrical, magnetic) on larger spatial scales, and appreciate
the opportunity this presents for the engineering of desirable
material properties;
- understand and be able to critically assess the potential applications
of nanotechnology in a vast array of fields including healthcare,
environment, biotechnology, energy and food production, information
technologies, aerospace, and others;
- understand and appreciate the importance of basic research,
and the roles government, industry, and academe play to make it
happen;
- understand through the study of specific examples how scientific
discovery becomes technological invention, and how this may lead
to new industries with the potential to change society;
- understand and be able to critically assess the potential societal
impact of nanotechnology;
- understand the linkages between ethics and nanotechnology
applications;
- be able to critically assess the hype and gloom-and-doom portrayals
of nanotechnology in the popular press.
Throughout their lives, students will be confronted with technological
innovations, and the opportunities and challenges they present. This
is especially true for nanotechnology, which allows us to engineer
- like mother nature - on the atomic scale, and lets us probe the
basic processes of all things physical and life itself. This
course is offered in recognition of the need to develop and implement
thoughtful and comprehensive visions of humanity’s future based
on technological advances in general, and nanotechnology in particular. Its
over-arching objective is therefore one of providing students with
the ability to synthesize diverse technical and non-technical issues
in making informed decisions concerning this future. |
| LEARNING
ACTIVITIES |
| |
Class time involves
a mix of
- lectures on scientific/technical matter,
- group discussions of reading materials,
- student presentations, and
- invited speakers from industry, academe, and/or government.
|
| STUDENT
EVALUATION |
| |
Grades will be based
on
- solutions to homework problems (15%),
- a fifteen minute oral presentation (15%),
- a mid-term examination (20%),
- two short essays of five pages or less (20%), and
- a final essay (in lieu of a final exam) assessing opportunities
and challenges of nanotechnology (30%).
|
| READINGS |
| |
In addition to instructor
notes, this course will use
- Web-based materials
- Selected articles from
- Scientific American,
- Science, Nature,
- IEEE Spectrum, Physics Today,
- Business Week.
|
|
 |
