Entry requirements

120 credits in science/engineering/pharmacy. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide students with a basic understanding of how nanomaterials and nanotechnology can be used to develop new materials, products and methods for industrial applications in a wide field of life sciences as well as to give the students a foundation for working with synthesis, characterization , applications and safety related to nanomaterials and nanostructures in industrial nanotechnological development projects.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• discuss and analyse problems regarding definitions and terminology in the field of nanotechnology in different areas of life sciences as well as relate them to regulatory aspects,
• apply and describe the most common bottom-up and top-down processes for the synthesis of nanomaterials and, with access to limited information, choose the appropriate process for a given application,
• select the appropriate characterization method and independently use relevant characterization tools for a given application,
• account for complex health and environmental risk factors associated with nanoparticles and how various risks can be estimated,
• provide examples of international and national industrial applications and development projects in which nanotechnology is used in the life sciences area, as well as scientifically explain why nanotechnology is an essential prerequisite for their implementation.

Content

Introduction to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. Synthesis of nanomaterials: bottom-up vs. top-down strategies. Characterization of nanomaterials: nanoparticle size and surface charge characterization, analysis of nanoporous materials, electron microscopy and atomic force microscope (AFM). Safety and risk factors associated with nanomaterials. Characterization of cell and blood toxicity of nanomaterials. Formulation strategies for nanomaterials intended as drug carriers. Diagnostics, teranostics (therapy methods combined with diagnostic tools), and imaging using nanotechnology. Nanomedicine and nanocosmetics for skin applications. Nanotechnology for gene delivery. Case studies of industrial nanoprojects.

Instruction

Lectures, guest lectures, seminars and laboratory exercises. The laboratory tasks as well as the laboratory groups are defined in such a way as to utilize prior knowledge and skills of the heterogeneous student group.

Assessment

Written exam (4 credits). Active participation in seminars as well as oral presentation of laboratory work (1 credit).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.