- Our students will become well-grounded in the fundamentals of nanotechnology with an appreciation of more specialised knowledge and the current frontiers of research.
- Apply knowledge gained and skills developed to specific fundamental or industrial problems.
- Use the underlying physics of the field to find, assess and use up-to-date information in order to guide progress.
- Engage actively in addressing research topics of current relevance.
- Draw on a suite of transferrable skills including critical thinking, problem solving, scientific report writing, communication skills, team-work, independent work, professional networking, project management.
- Present findings both orally and in written form, to thesis level.
- Our students will be imbued with professional values including scientific integrity and ethical behaviour.
Internships Available
This course is available through the following application route(s)
Nanotechnology is an emerging sector, which covers many areas of both academic science and device design and innovation. Manipulating matter at the nanoscale has already led to new technology in many areas such as electronics, displays, sensors, and green technology. The design, fabrication and control of devices with nanoscale (billionth of a metre) dimensions, is an engine of innovation in almost every sector.
This course is suitable for graduates who wish to apply their degree expertise in the nanoscale science and related sectors. This specialisation is for students excited by the prospect of studying and researching in an interdisciplinary area, where physics, chemistry and engineering all come together.
- Students help design their own curricula (negotiated structure) in this interdisciplinary programme with access to major technology platforms essential to the conduct of world-class cutting-edge research through the strength of the collaboration of the UCD School of Physics. This process takes both the educational track record and the career trajectory of the student into account. Staff from Intel Ireland will come to UCD during the year to speak with and advise students on the programme.
- Study science and techniques that will contribute to the development of technology and devices such as single photon sources, solar cells, nanoelectronics and nanomaterials.
- Highly relevant to the recruitment needs of industrial employers, particularly in the semiconductor, telecommunications and imaging sectors and for further PhD research
About This Course
The programme prepares you for industry or further PhD research. Career opportunities include the semiconductor industry, telecommunications, diagnostic imaging, green technologies and sensor applications, both in Ireland and internationally. It is also a stepping stone to PhD research in the areas of photonics, nanotechnology and computational physics and nanoscience. Prospective employers include Abbott, Allergan, Andor, Asylum Research, Becton Dickinson, Boston Scientific, Carl-Zeiss Meditec, Covidien Imaging, Eblana Photonics, Intel, Intune Networks, Park Systems, Pharma-Bio Serv, Philips, and SensL.
There are opportunities to apply for an internship* in an academic or industry workplace. The internship comprises a research project, the theme of which is chosen by the student in agreement with the supervisor and MSc Course Director. The project may include experimental research, modelling/simulations research, and/or other research appropriate to the MSc programme theme.
*Placements are secured through a competitive process and are not guaranteed.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PHYC41090 | Bio-inspired Technologies PHYC | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of: Students must take one of the following modules: |
PHYC40850 | Physics Research Project 45 | 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum) | 45 |
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of: Students must take one of the following modules: |
PHYC40860 | Physics Research Project 60 | 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum) | 60 |
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of: Students must take one of the following modules: |
PHYC40840 | Physics Research Project 30 | Summer | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: For consideration as optional module - final approval following consultation with programme director. |
CHEM30090 | Chemistry of Materials | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of: Optional module for consideration - final approval of module choice following consultation with programme director |
CHEM40080 | Reactivity and Change | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
CHEM40870 | Nanomaterials Chemistry | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
MEEN40600 | Medical Device Design | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
MEEN40630 | Biomaterials | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
PHYC40400 | Nanooptics and biophotonics | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
PHYC40410 | Physics of nanomaterials | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
PHYC40470 | Computational Biophysics and Nanoscale Simulations | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
PHYC40560 | Advanced Atomic Force Microscopy for Bionanoscience | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
PHYC40930 | Ultrafast Soft X-ray Photonics | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
PHYC41070 | Techniques in Biophysics | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
IA40470 | Entrepreneurship: Application and Mindset | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
IA40310 | Creative Thinking & Innovation | Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
CHEN40440 | Chem Proc Sust & Ren Energy | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
CHEN40510 | Advanced Characterisation Tech | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
COMP41680 | Data Science in Python | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
PHYC40030 | Galaxies, Observational Cosmology & the Interstellar Medium | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
PHYC40110 | Medical Physics (Selected Topics) | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
PHYC40210 | Applied Optics | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: The list is just a list of optional modules. Optional modules are not limited to lists provided, and other modules can be added following dialogue with the Programme Director. |
PHYC40430 | Nanomechanics - from single molecules to single cells | Spring | 5 |
Faculty Profile
Associate Professor James Rice, UCD School of Physics
The research projects in Associate Professor Rice’s group at UCD are in the area of experimental nanoscience. His main scientific contributions are related to understanding optical processes in nanoscale materials, concentrating on semiconducting and metallic nanostructured materials. He contributed to the development of novel nanomaterial designs that possess plasmonic properties and the use of biomaterials as functional conducting nanomaterials.
Nanotechnology (F122) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 10460
nonEU fee per year - € 29100
***Fees are subject to change
EU fee per year - € 10460
nonEU fee per year - € 29100
***Fees are subject to change
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please visit International Scholarships.
- Entrance to this programme requires a degree in physics, chemistry, engineering, material sciences or a related discipline with a significant physics content. An upper second class honours or international equivalent is required. in special circumstances, students with a strong physics background and lower second class honours degree may be accepted.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent. Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/
- These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
This programme is ideal for any graduate with a background in Physics, Mathematics or a related Natural Science, who is excited by the prospect of studying and researching in an interdisciplinary area, where physics, chemistry and engineering all come together.
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Nanotechnology:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | F122 Nanotechnology Master of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |
* you can change options at the top of the page