Why this course?
This taught MSc course gives you a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art research in nanoscience. It provides you with the opportunity to develop the skills necessary for this emerging area.
The course is mainly designed to equip you for a research-based career in industry but it can also serve as a way of progressing towards a PhD.
Who’s the course suitable for?
This course will be of interest to physical science graduates looking to work in the field of nanoscience. It’s also suitable for those with an industrial background as a further training opportunity and a way of gaining insights into topics at the forefront of academic research.
The course
This course explores the frontiers of science on the nanoscale. It provides a strong grounding in basic nanoscience before progressing to advanced topics.
Taught classes have been developed from the many years of nanoscience research at the University in areas such as:
- nanoscale imaging
- nanoparticle fabrication and functionalisation
- chemical physics
- computational modelling of the nanoworld
You’ll study
Two semesters of formal teaching are followed by a three-month intensive project.
Research project
Following the taught classes, you’ll undertake a research intensive project in a relevant nanoscience topic.
The projects take place primarily in research labs located in the University’s physical science departments. There are some opportunities for relevant industrial placements.
Facilities
This course is run by the Department of Physics. The department’s facilities include:
- photophysics lab with world-leading instrumentation for fluorescence lifetime, spectra, microscopy, imaging and sensing
- a scanning electron microscopy suite for analysis of hard and soft matter
- the Ultrafast Chemical Physics lab with state-of-the-art femtosecond laser systems for multi-dimensional IR spectroscopy
- access to top-of-the-range facilities for high-performance computing
- industry standard cleanroom in the Institute of Photonics
Course content
Compulsory classes
Research Skills
This course introduces core skills needed to obtain research funding and successfully manage the resulting research in both an academic and a commercial environment.
Project Training
This course develops your transferable skills (communication skills, literature survey) in preparation for the project undertaken on the course.
It also helps you in developing an understanding of the management of projects in an industrial setting and preparation for successful working in technological industries.
Project
You'll undertake a cutting edge research project in either one of the research groups of the Department of Physics or with collaborating departments and institutions (Chemistry, Institute of Photonics, Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Centre for Biophotonics).
Introductionary Nanoscience
The course addresses basic concepts relating to nanoscale physics before progressing to the techniques associated with production and characterisation of nanomaterials/nanostructures, and their potential impact in engineering, energy and healthcare.
Conversion Course
This provides participants with a strong knowledge base from which to tackle the rest of the syllabus.
Advanced Nanoscience 1: Imaging & Microscopy
The aim of this course is to introduce the spectroscopy, imaging and microscopy techniques associated with modern nanoscience such as:
- Fluorescence methods
- Single molecule imaging and microscopic techniques
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM)
- Electron microscopy
Advanced Nanoscience 2: Solid State Nanoscience
This course introduces advanced key concepts in modern nano-scale condensed matter physics and optics.
Modern computational methods to investigate these systems will then be introduced to illustrate methods of applying these concepts to realistic nanosystems.
Advanced Nanoscience 3: Chemical & Biomedical Nanoscience
Aspects of chemical and biomedical nanoscience including nano-functionalisation and sensing and detection methods.
Assessment
The final assessment will be based on your performance in exams, coursework, a research project and, if required, in an oral exam.
Entry requirements
Minimum second-class honours degree, or international equivalent, in a physics or a related subject, eg Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Material Science, Nanoscience, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Biology.
Applicants from an engineering or life science discipline need to have had sufficient exposure to quantum mechanics and solid state physics, eg by semiconductor technology courses, or need to demonstrate that they can acquire the necessary background. Contact us about your case and the possibility of conversion courses.
English language requirements
You must have an English language minimum score of IELTS 6.0 (with no component below 5.5).
We offer comprehensive English language courses for students whose IELTS scores are below 6.0. Please see ELTD for full details.
Pre-Masters preparation course
The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course held at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, for international students (non EU/UK) who do not meet the entry
requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde. The Pre-Masters programme
provides progression to a number of degree options.
Upon successful completion, you will be able to progress to this degree course at the
University of Strathclyde.
Fees & funding
2019/20
All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.
Scotland/EU
Rest of UK
International
How can I fund my course?
A number of scholarships are available for outstanding UK, EU and international applicants. For details, please visit our scholarship search.
Scottish and non-UK EU postgraduate students
Scottish and non-UK EU postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from England
Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Wales
Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Northern Ireland
Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
International students
We have a large range of scholarships available to help you fund your studies. Check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Please note
The fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.
Careers
What kind of jobs do Strathclyde Physics graduates get?
To answer this question we contacted some of our Physics graduates from all courses to find out what jobs they have. They are working across the world in a number of different roles including:
- Medical Physicist
- Senior Engineer
- Professor
- Systems Engineer
- Treasury Analyst
- Patent Attorney
- Software Engineer
- Teacher
- Spacecraft Project Manager
- Defence Scientist
- Procurement Manager
- Oscar winner
Success story: Iain Neil
Iain Neil graduated from Strathclyde in Applied Physics in 1977 and is an optical consultant, specialising in the design of zoom lenses for the film industry. He has received a record 12 Scientific and Technical Academy Awards, the most for any living person.
