Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer, Unit Convener
Douglas Little
Contact via email
E8B315
By appointment
Lecturer
Annemarie Nadort
Contact via email
E6FG10
By appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit covers the current research directions at the interface of nanotechnology and biophotonics, addressing a common gap in the physics/engineering undergraduate curriculum. You will learn about the principal types of nanomaterials and nanostructures with the underpinning physics and chemistry. You will gain familiarity with photonics techniques that relate to biological applications such as advanced microscopy and image analysis. There is an emphasis on applications and significance of nanomaterials in the life sciences. We will discuss various Nanosafety, instrumentation and core measurement techniques which are applicable in nanotechnology and biophotonics will also be discussed.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Microscopy Assignment | 15% | No | Week 3 |
Experimental Planning | 10% | No | Week 4 |
Major Research Report | 25% | No | Week 8 |
BioPhotonics Assignment | 10% | No | week 9 |
Literature Review | 15% | No | Week 10 |
Lab Report | 15% | No | Week 12 |
NanoBio Assignment | 10% | No | Week 13 |
Due: Week 3
Weighting: 15%
Assignments will be set based on lecture content and are designed to test the student's understanding of course concepts.
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 10%
The student is expected to write an experimental plan in consultation with the lecturer, detailing a short research project to be carried out in weeks 5-7 using the optical surface profiler. This experimental plan must contain a proposed research question along with detailed methodology, including any extra equipment or resources that may be required.
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 25%
The student is expected to conduct a short (pre-planned) research project using the optical surface profiler, and submit a lab report detailing the aims and motivation of the experiment (including reference to appropriate background literature), experimental methodology, the results of the measurement and analysis, as well as a discussion and concluding remarks. Detailed records of lab work must also be retained in a lab book, and submitted along with the report.
Due: week 9
Weighting: 10%
Assignments will be set based on lecture content and are designed to test the student's understanding of course concepts.
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 15%
The student will write a short (1500 word) essay discussing a recent scientific study published in a high-impact research journal (Science, Nature), or ensemble of research papers describing the development of a (nano)biophotonics technique. The student will communicate their understanding of what the study/studies was/were aiming to do, what was found, and why the findings are significant in the context of nano-biophotonics.
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 15%
The student will perform a supervised experiment to obtain functional information from biomedical tissues using advanced imaging technologies. The student will be expected to write up a lab report on this experiment. The student's lab book will also be submitted as part of this assessment.
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 10%
Assignments will be set based on lecture content and are designed to test the student's understanding of course concepts.
Microscopy - E. Hecht, Optics, 3rd edition (1998).
Nanobio - Tuan Vo Dinh, Biomedical Photonics Handbook, 3 Volume Set, Second Edition (selected chapters, will be electronically available)
Week 1-2 (Doug Little) - Lectures: Advanced microscopy, Fourier optics and interferometry.
Week 3-4 (Doug Little) - Lab: Optical surface profiler basics and fundamentals, and planning a research project.
Week 5-7 (Doug Little) - Lab: Short research project.
Weeks 8 - 9 (Annemarie Nadort) - Lectures: Functional biophotonics, nanobiophotonics
Weeks 9 - 10 (Annemarie Nadort) - Literature study: in consultation with students, functional biophotonics or bio-nanotechnology
Weeks 11 - 12 (Annemarie Nadort) - Lab: short research project
Week 13 (Annemarie Nadort) - concluding lecture and assignment
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Unit has been significantly restructured from previous years. There will be no final exam, instead a large portion of assessments will be concentrated around laboratory work, research planning and experimental skills.