Nanoscience: Physical Sciences - Courses

Program Overview

This nanoscience program combines chemistry and physics to study materials and devices at the nanoscale. Students gain a foundation in core subjects, specialize in areas like semiconductor physics or polymer chemistry, and conduct a capstone research project in an active research group. Graduates are equipped for careers in chemistry, physics, high-tech industries, and research.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Nanoscience is the study of materials and devices at the nanoscale (<100 nm), a scale at which many exotic properties and behaviors come to the fore, leading to applications including advanced catalysis, biomedical imaging, batteries, and solar cells among many others. Nanoscience thus encompasses the design, synthesis, characterization, testing, and use of such materials and devices, and lies at the interface of Chemistry and Physics.

Outline:

• Year 1 and 2: Common subjects in chemistry, biology, and physics.
• Year 3:
• Physics of quantum systems and electromagnetism
• Chemistry and physics of solid state materials and condensed matter
• Analytical and computational methods in chemistry
• Specialization in areas such as semiconductor physics or polymer chemistry
• Bespoke nanoscience experiments in synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials, understanding their properties and functions, and developing science communication skills.
• Year 4:
• Advanced courses in materials chemistry and nanoscience
• Problem-solving skills development through small group tutorials
• Specialization in areas such as magnetism and superconductivity, modern optics, energy science, or computational chemistry

Teaching:

• Lecturers run research laboratories studying nanomaterials, two-dimensional materials, nanoparticle synthesis, nanomagnetism, novel materials, fundamental and computational nanoscience, batteries, and energy materials.
• Research training combines physics and chemistry appropriate to nanoscience, culminating in the individual Capstone research project in the final year.

Careers:

• Wide-ranging scientific and analytical skills, qualifying graduates for careers in Chemistry or Physics.
• Many graduates pursue research careers in Trinity or other prestigious universities worldwide.
• Expertise can also lead to employment in high-tech industries, financial services, information technology, or as a data scientist.

Other:

• Study abroad and internship opportunities:
• Capstone project at a research institute or university in the EU or further afield (e.g., IMEC micro- and nano-electronics research center in Leuven, Belgium; The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California; University of Alberta, Canada; University of Wollongong, Australia; University of Potsdam, Germany).
• Year abroad program for second or third-year students at partner universities.
• Research internships in Trinity or other universities during the summer.