Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Understanding the structure, function and regulation of materials at the nanoscale and in real time requires modern nanometer and femtosecond (quadrillionth of a second) technologies. Physical studies at these scales will ultimately lead to devices and techniques that possess novel properties applicable the construction of, for example, single photon sources, solar cells, nanoelectronics including nanomaterials such as nanotubes, nanoparticles and nanowires. This programme incorporates modern experimental and computational physics techniques and provides exposure to a variety of applications, and also facilitates professional development.

Nanotechnology has established itself as a key technology in industries ranging from microelectronics to health care, with a consequent demand for appropriately trained graduates. The MSc in Nanotechnology is designed for graduates from the physical sciences and from relevant engineering disciplines. The MSc programme intake extends to include industrial researchers in companies like INTEL, technical managers or academic researchers. We encourage and educate our students to become active, lifelong and autonomous learners with good prospects of employment in economic sectors related to nanotechnology or for further research. Offered are a range of taught modules that cover important aspects of nanotechnology and nanoscience. Our inter-disciplinary learning environment relies on staff with a deep level of expertise and emphasises hands-on work through an experimental research module that is a large part of the MSc programme.  Students and staff have access to major technology platforms essential to the conduct of world-class cutting-edge research. Students are prepared for the research project via lectures, practical/laboratory work, seminars, and the advancement of team and self-directed learning skills, project and problem-solving work. Students in the programme will be assessed using a variety of methods, including problem-sets, examinations, reports and oral presentations.  Our students will be endowed with professional values including scientific integrity and ethical behaviour.

The course involves the development of the understanding of nanotechnology and nanoscience in a classroom undertaking taught courses to develop not only their understanding of the science but also of science communication, patents and commercial activity as related to scientific technology. Importantly the student will work in a lab environment and will learn a range of skills such as data processing, time management and other soft skills of direct interest to employers as well as developing their experimental and simulation skills in areas of nanotechnology.

• Apply knowledge gained and skills developed to specific fundamental or industrial problems.
• 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.
• Engage actively in addressing research topics of current relevance.
• Our students will be imbued with professional values including scientific integrity and ethical behaviour
• Our students will become well-grounded in the fundamentals of nanotechnology with an appreciation of more specialised knowledge and the current frontiers of research.
• Present findings both orally and in written form, to thesis level.
• Use the underlying physics of the field to find, assess and use up-to-date information in order to guide progress.

View All Modules Here

Modules will be decided upon agreement with the Programme Director.
You will gain experimental, theoretical and computational training in the following topics:

• Nano-Optics
• Physics of Nano-Materials
• Spectroscopy and Lasers
• Nano-Mechanics
• Atomic Force Microscopy
• Biophysics at the Nanoscale
• Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography
• Innovation

MSc Nanotechnology (F122) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 10200
nonEU    fee per year - € 29100

MSc Nanotechnology (F123) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 5030
nonEU    fee per year - € 14550

***Fees are subject to change

Internship Opportunities*
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.

• 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 

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.

The following entry routes are available:

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised