Youth Programme: Physics at the Nanoscale

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES

Nanoscience is an exciting area of science that studies the world with objects that have very small dimension. All sort of scientists (physicist, chemist, biologist, material scientist, engineer etc.) are studying very small thing in order to better understand the nanoworld. We want to be able to manipulate and understand matter at molecular level, to create artificial structures. This is because structures exhibit novel and very much improved mechanical, chemical, electrical, optical and biological properties, due entirely to their nanoscopic size. Whenever scientists and engineers push their understanding and control over matter to finer scales (nanoscale regime), they invariably discover qualitatively new phenomena and invent qualitatively new technologies.

The aim of this module is to give the audience an appreciation of the nanosized regime and scientists’ fascination in the field of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. The lecture aims to address the following questions:

  • What is nanoscale? Why Nanoscience?
  • What are some applications of Nanotechnology?
  • How do you manipulate nanoscale objects?
  • How do you make structures out of nanomaterials?
  • How would the physics change when we go to the nano-regime?
  • How do you image such a tiny system?

The module shall be taught with the help of a number of fun-filled demonstrations aiming to illustrate the concepts discussed. The students will also learn to create some nanoscale related demonstration that they can use to illustrate ideas to their friends as well. 

Who Should Attend

University students who have completed first year level modules in Physics, Chemistry and Engineering at undergraduate level will have sufficient background knowledge to benefit from this module.

Pre-Requisites

Participants should have basic understanding of physics, chemistry or engineering at undergraduate level.

Participants should be able to read, write and communicate fluently in English, and understand basic terminologies used in the class.

Programme Schedule

For individuals interested in NUS SCALE Youth programmes, please click here to enquire.

For schools/companies interested in customised and/or group bookings, please click here.

Mode of Delivery

On-campus Programme: 15 hours of seminars, workshops, and a final project presentation.

Mode of Assessment

Students will be assessed via a variety of assignments and assessments:

  • Individual assignments
  • Group project

COURSE INSTRUCTORS

Below are the faculty members who have developed the course, and taught the programme in the past (names are arranged in alphabetical order):


 Sow-Chorng-Haur-2

Professor Sow Chorng Haur
Head, Department of Physics
Faulty of Science
National University of Singapore

Professor SOW Chorng Haur received the B.Sc. degree (1st Class Honours) in Physics from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 1991. After spending two more years in NUS, he received the M.Sc. degree in Physics from NUS. He went on to The University of Chicago and completed his PhD degree in 1998. During the period in 1999-2000, he worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Bell Laboratory, Lucent Technologies. He returned to NUS in year 2001. He has authored and co-authored many papers in the field of nanoscience and nanomaterials. He has a keen interest in developing various teaching methods to enhance students’ learning experiences. Prof Sow received many teaching awards, including the NUS Outstanding Educator Award (2008). He has travelled extensively to share his passion in teaching physics, especially with innovative science demonstrations.

 

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

Successful participants who fulfill all program requirements, including meeting the minimum attendance and passing the assessment, will be awarded an e-Certificate of Completion and Assessment Report issued by NUS SCALE. 
Certificate of Completion

A sample of the Certificate of Completion

Assessment Report

A sample of the Assessment Report

COMMENDATION LETTER

Participants from the project team with the highest score for the group project will also receive a commendation letter. 

Commendation Letter

A sample of the Commendation Letter

SPEAK TO US

For enquiries, contact us through the following forms:

  • For individuals interested in NUS SCALE Youth programmes, please click here to enquire.
  • For schools/companies interested in customised and/or group bookings, please click here.
 
11 March 2025