MScNanoscience

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

MSc

A first or second-class Honours degree, or overseas equivalent, in physics, chemistry or a related subject.

English language

IELTS 6.0 (no individual score below 5.5) is required for all non-English speakers.

Pre-Masters preparation course

The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course 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.

To find out more about the courses and opportunities on offer visit isc.strath.ac.uk or call today on +44 (0) 1273 339333 and discuss your education future. You can also complete the online application form. To ask a question please fill in the enquiry form and talk to one of our multi-lingual Student Enrolment Advisers today.

Fees & funding

How much will my course cost?

All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.

Scotland/EU

2017/18 - £5,000

Rest of UK

2017/18 - £6,000

International

2017/18 - £18,000

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 starting in 2017 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 can 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

Postgraduate students starting in 2017 who are ordinarily resident in Wales can apply for 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. We are waiting on further information being released about this 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 starting in 2017 who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland can apply for support from Student Finance NI. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. We are waiting on further information being released about this 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: