Admission and Unit Information – Bachelor of Medical Science (Nanotechnology)

This unit provides an introduction to physics for science and medical science students as well as providing a basis for further study of more advanced physics for students pursuing courses in nanotechnology, chemical, physical and mathematical sciences. It provides a foundation to understand the physical principles which underlay scientific instrumentation and analysis Topics covered include systems of units; Introductory mechanics, Newtons laws, work, conservation of energy and momentum; Electricity, electrostatics, DC and AC circuits and components, introductory electromagnetism; Waves and optics, electromagnetic radiation, reflection, refraction, image formation, polarisation, interference and diffraction.

This unit is designed to provide students with scientific literacy and generic skills required to successfully undertake science-related undergraduate studies. Students learn, develop and utilise academic and interpersonal methodologies within the context of applied scientific principles in society and take responsibility for their own learning. Students are introduced to the contestable and uncertain nature of science and the scientific method. Activities encourage development of self-confidence, self-efficacy, creative thinking through problem solving, group process, communication and peer support. Academic skills include scientific reading and report writing, researching scientific information and library skills, oral presentation, taking tests and exams, effective personal and group based learning strategies, peer assessment, and online learning.

This unit provides an introduction to some of the essential knowledge, concepts and skills of chemistry, to serve the needs of students majoring in chemistry and those requiring a working knowledge of chemistry. Observable chemical facts and phenomena including structure, dynamics, and energetics, are explained in terms of current mathematical and visual models and further developed in Essential Chemistry 2. Evidence for chemical understanding is provided using IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and computer molecular modelling. Laboratory skills relate theory to practice through the development of practical skills required to determine the concentration of an analyte using volumetric and spectrophotometric analysis.

This level one unit provides a solid foundation in the theory and applications of differential calculus, as well as some introductory work on complex numbers. It is the first of two units developing aspects of calculus.

This unit provides a broad introduction to nanoscience, the current status of nanotechnology and their applications. It introduces main areas that are central to understanding the importance of nanoscale applications and to study the connection between the underlying nanoscience of various nanotechnology devices. Emphasis will be placed to reflect the true interdisciplinary nature that encompasses a broad understanding of basic sciences intertwined with engineering sciences and information sciences pertinent to nanotechnology.

This unit introduces an investigation of the reactivity of covalent molecules, in particular, of carbon-based compounds. Focussing on introductory chemical dynamics and thermodynamics, students will develop an in-depth understanding of the structure, nomenclature and reactivity of the principal organic functional groups, extending their basic principles of chemistry. They will also understand how molecules are synthesised and the ways they react being important in the function and role of chemistry in biological systems in our domestic and industrial worlds.

This unit develops a deeper understanding of physics for students pursuing courses in nanotechnology, chemical, physical and mathematical sciences. Topics covered include Mechanics: Equilibrium, stress and strain, harmonic oscillators, rotational motion, moment of inertia. Gravitation, types of force in nature. Thermal Physics: temperature, specific & latent heat, heat transfer, kinetic theory of gases, first law of thermodynamics, isothermal, isobaric & adiabatic processes. Introduction to Modern Physics: special relativity, time dilation, length contraction, momentum, mass, rest energy, velocity addition. Basic quantum theory, Planck's hypothesis, wave nature of matter, quantum mechanical view of atoms. Nuclear physics, radiation, half-life, nuclear reactions.

This Level 1 unit provides a solid foundation in the theory and applications of integral calculus, as well as some introductory work on linear algebra and infinite sequences and series. It is the second of two units developing aspects of calculus.

This unit explains in depth aspects of classical mechanics related to forced and damped oscillations. Physical waves are introduced and formalized by describing applications of the wave equation to mechanical systems and electromagnetic radiation. Interference and diffraction are detailed using electromagnetic fields (physical optics). Main technological applications of mechanical oscillations and electromagnetic waves are also explained, such as the atomic force microscope, laser, optical tweezers and the zeta-sizer.

Physical Chemistry describes the fundamentals of energy changes in chemical systems (thermodynamics), the rates and mechanisms of chemical reactions (kinetics), and electrochemistry and/or ion and electron transport. These concepts will be applied to a range of chemical and/or biochemical processes. A major focus of the unit will be to develop the ability to study quantitative chemical/biochemical problems, and develop useful physical chemistry experimental and data-analysis skills.

This unit introduces students to a thorough study of coordination chemistry (discussing complexes, ligands, structure, isomerism, stability, reaction mechanisms, oxidation states, elements in the first transition series, coordination chemistry in biological systems). The unit then moves on to areas of fundamental inorganic chemistry, including bonding, and solid state chemistry. Advanced Modules cover the following topics: comparative inorganic chemistry, inorganic speciation in solution, X-ray methods for characterising inorganic materials, spectroscopy in coordination complexes, physiology and inorganic chemistry, and medicinal inorganic chemistry. This unit also introduces many of the laboratory techniques and equipment that are used in synthetic procedures in coordination chemistry.

This unit introduces the concept of homeostasis and critically examines examples of how the body systems are regulated and homeostatically controlled. The unit uses a body-systems approach to examine the physiology of tissues, organs and systems in order to develop an integrated view of the regulated functioning of the human body.

Cells are the most basic form of all life, and underlying normal cell function are the molecules used to build complex cellular structures, generate energy, and propagate dynamic life. The unit will study the fundamental processes through which key biomolecules, including lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids and nucleic acids, are manipulated to generate and store energy, and build a broad array of important biological macromolecules including DNA, membranes and proteins. To sustain life, cells respire for energy and replicate for growth and sexual reproduction. Accordingly the unit will examine cellular respiration, transcription, translation, mitosis, meiosis, transmission and how the genetic code is inherited and modified providing students insights into the phenomena of life. The role of DNA technology in the fields of medicine, biomolecular plant and animal science, food, forensic and environmental science will provide students with real world applications.

The unit builds on quantum concepts that have been introduced in earlier units such Physics 1,2, Nanotechnology and Chemistry. It aims at developing the studentâ€™s understanding of quantum principles as they apply to hard and soft matter systems, including atoms , molecules and extended arrays such as metal and semiconductors as well as biological tissue

This unit replaces 300414 - Biodevices from Autumn 2014. The unit will investigate nature's nanomachines; lipids, DNA and proteins. The students will learn how only a few basic building blocks can self-assemble into more complex structures, which in turn self-assemble into more complex hierarchical structures from which one can build biodevices. These fascinating self-organising supramolecular structures generally involve some kind of non-covalent binding. Particular emphasis is placed on the underlying principles that govern the functioning of such machines and some coverage of the modelling of such processes using techniques such as statistical thermodynamics is given. Biological computing is also covered.

Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of life. By understanding the structure and roles of biological macromolecules found in cells students will develop the concept of self assembly of these molecules to form life. Topics include the structure of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids and how they function in the lipid and aqueous environments of the cell. Basic metabolism is introduced with an overview of the major pathways in cells, mechanisms of regulation, and an introduction into important cofactors and intermediatory molecules. These concepts will be reinforced through practical classes that teach critical skills in experimental design, analysis and interpretation.

This unit builds on the physiological concepts of "Introduction to Physiology". It provides a greater depth and breadth of understanding of aspects of whole-body physiology which are explored in group work. Topics may include, but are not limited to, locomotion, physiology of reproductive technology, physiology of interaction between humans, physiology under extreme conditions (including pathophysiology), physiology of learning and memory, sleep physiology, animal physiology, nutritional physiology and others.

This unit builds on the content and concepts developed across multiple discipline areas during the Bachelor of Medical Science, integrating them together into the context of human health and disease. Students will work in groups to undertake an in depth exploration of an issue related to Medical Science. Topics addressed each year will vary, and will include issues currently at the forefront of Medical Science, issues for which there is currently significant scientific debate, and issues in which students have expressed a particular personal interest.

The unit covers basic theory of surface chemistry, latest technologies of surface depositions and industrial and commercial applications of nanomaterials and nanopowders. Upon successful completion, the students will achieve an in-depth understanding of techniques of preparation of nanomaterials and nanopowders that includes plasma arching, chemical vapour deposition, electrodeposition, sol-gel synthesis, ball milling and the use of natural particles. Technical aspects of process control on the microstructure and properties of coatings will be discussed. Case studies of applications of nanopowders and nanomaterials such as biomedical implants, insulators, high power magnets, molecular sieves, supercomputers, jet engines and other industrial applications will be pursued.

Pathology is the study of disease. Students will gain an understanding of human pathogenesis, general and systems pathological processes, and the scientific basis of diagnostic and treatment options. The unit also introduces normal human tissue and organ histology, and examines histopathological changes evident in disease states.