학술논문

Educational challenges for teaching nanotechnology: Part 1. Global and local perspectives for teaching nanotechnology
Document Type
Source
Subject
nanotechnology
nanomedicine
pedagogic development
teaching
Engineering Science with specialization in Nanotechnology and Functional Materials
Teknisk fysik med inriktning mot nanoteknologi och funktionella material
Language
English
Abstract
In this study, systematic analysis of nanotechnology education programmes was carried out from a global and local perspective. Although several universities offer 3-4 year nanotechnology-centred educational programmes, in general the most common modes for nanotechnology education include either modular courses integrated in traditional scientific disciplines or 2-year specialised MSc programmes. Nanotechnology education has a number of peculiarities. For example, it is common to include “nano”-labelling of education for marketing purposes to attract students to study traditional disciplines. Another conclusion of the analysis is that specialised nanotechnology programmes require access to advanced characterisation equipment, which can be limiting for programmes with small number of students. The nanotechnology education in Sweden does not differ much from other countries in its structure. MSc programmes or modular courses in nanotechnology are offered by major universities. Lund University and KTH offer 2-year MSc programmes with specialisation in nanoscience, having strong focus on nanoelectronics and nanophysics, whereas Chalmers is offering nanoelectronics as a part of international 2-year Erasmus Mundus MSc programme in nanoscience and nanotechnology- EMMNano. The nanotechnology education at Uppsala University is conducted mainly through modular courses, with significantly higher number of courses specialised in life sciences applications than that at other major Swedish universities. At this time, it appears that no 2-year MSc programme is offered by major Swedish universities with specialisation in nanomedicine. Finally, extensive analysis of nanotechnology for life science education is conducted to highlight core concepts in the field.