Dive beneath the surface of physical reality and manipulate objects on the nanoscale
Year of entry: 2022/23
FGC0
Y50
4 years full-time
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Fathom the dynamics of the very small and learn how arranging atoms in specific ways can lead to new materials with remarkable functions.
This Natural Sciences course draws together the resources of four central scientific disciplines – chemistry, electronics, physics and mathematics – to delve deep into the hidden world of atoms and molecules. This is a world measured to the nanometer and where a human hair is about 100,000 nanometres thick.
You will develop laboratory skills in our clean room and your final year project could be conducted in and supervised by the York-JEOL Nanocentre. This purpose-built reserach centre is equipped with some of the world’s most sensitive and sophisticated microscopes and enables researchers to see what is happening at the atomic level. Study this course to MSci level to develop your research skills and deepen your understanding of this specialised area.
All our Natural Sciences MSc degrees have the same course code for your UCAS application. To select the Natural Sciences specialising in Nanoscience pathway, enter the subject option code "Nano".
Natural Sciences offers a range of well-structured pathways built upon the natural synergies that exist across scientific disciplines.
Our weekly Natural Sciences Hour brings students together to hear from researchers and employers and to build transferable skills.
Study in world-leading research institutes and hi-tech learning spaces dedicated interdisciplinary science.
By studying Natural Sciences specialising in Nanoscience you'll develop a foundation in the key disciplines that underpin nanoscience. You'll apply the skills and tools from across these disciplines to your study of the very small. As an MSc student, you'll study modules totalling 480 credits covering core and advanced topics, such as:
You'll build skills in physical, computational and mathematical methods and apply these to the description, modelling and prediction of physical phenomena. You'll apply your knowledge to both the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject and critically assess experimental and theoretical evidence. You'll also learn how to tackle open-ended problems using a variety of nanoscience techniques.
By studying to MSci level you'll have the opportunity to integrate project work with research at a higher level.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
Year 1 provides introductory course material in Chemistry, Electronic Engineering, Mathematics and Physics to prepare you for more advanced study.
You will take core modules which may include:
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
In your second year you will explore your specialised subject in greater depth.
You will take core modules which may include:
In your third year you will build on the skills you’ve developed in your first two years. You will take further core modules.
You will take core modules which may include:
The main focus of your final year is your independent research project of your choosing. You will also deepen your knowledge with a range of option modules.
This project brings together your knowledge and skills developed during the previous three years. You will develop and demonstrate the ability to design, plan, carry out and report on an open-ended investigation that generates new knowledge.
You will choose from a selection of option modules, examples of which may include:
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
Our course structures are changing in September 2023. Find out more about how this course may be affected.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
"The whole Natural Sciences feel is unbelievably communal, relaxed and happy. The support and interest of the staff in Natural Sciences, and across the University, makes you feel part of something exciting and progressive. In Nanoscience we are really looking to the future – we’re getting a broad education which teaches us flexible and interdisciplinary working."Megan, Nanoscience (Year 3)
The fees and funding figures below are for 2022/23 entry. If you take a year abroad or year in industry you'll pay a reduced rate of fees for that year
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £24,000 |
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
Text books and course books are all available in the library or online. We do recommend books you might find useful, but it is not compulsory for you to buy them. Your first year textbooks for Chemistry and Physics will be provided to you at no additional cost and Chemistry will provide you with a lab coat.
| Type | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Textbooks | Included in course fees | £0 |
| Specialist clothing, uniforms, lab coats, laundry... | Included in course fees | £0 |
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2022/23 throughout the year.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
The interdisciplinary nature of the Natural Sciences programme means that you will experience a wide variety of approaches to teaching, from formal lectures and practical experiments in the lab, to small group tutorials and close, supportive mentoring, as well as Virtual Learning Environments. This course has a strong element of experimental and practical studies.
You'll receive lectures from leading figures in the field. These are supported by smaller group tutorials and seminars where you will be encouraged to debate and discuss the lecture material, drawing out important principles, highlighting connections between ideas and applying methods to example problems.
You will share lectures and seminars with students from other departments, but your tutorials and some smaller seminar groups will be with other Natural Sciences students only, and these will help you understand the material in an interdisciplinary context.
For the natural scientist, conducting rigorous experiments and understanding the experimental method underpins the very nature of scientific inquiry and discovery.
Experimental work may be done in groups or pairs, or sometimes individually, but always with the support of experienced mentors. Sometimes laboratory work will be interwoven with lectures and tutorials, sometimes it may be a stand-alone module. The importance of experimentation to the learning process is recognised by the fact that projects form the pinnacle of every natural scientist’s time at York: every Natural Sciences programme includes a major project during the final year.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 12-13 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 0-3 hours per week |
| Tutorials | 1-2 hours per week |
| Problem classes | 0-1 hours per week |
| Workshops | 0-1 hours per week |
| Practicals | 0-6 hours per week |
These figures are based on an average student in an average week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during term time. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
You will be based in the Natural Sciences Learning Studio on Campus West, but your teaching will be spread across our departments and locations will vary. Teaching locations for this course include: Alcuin, Derwent, James, Vanbrugh and Wentworth College; the Departments of Biology and Chemistry; the Physics and Electronic Engineering building; and the Spring Lane building.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
A variety of assessment techniques will be used for different elements of the course and at different times during your degree. These include:
Assessment of your final year project includes a short viva examination, in which you will talk about your project with a panel of examiners.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exams | 82% | 84% | 52% | 30% |
| Coursework | 15% | 13% | 48% | 70% |
| Practical exams | 3% | 3% | 0% | 0% |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
"The Nanoscience course at York is really unique, allowing you to study both modules that are universal to core science degrees and modules specific to Nanoscience. We are taught by lectures who are doing research in nanotechnology and we have the opportunity to learn about the most recent advances in the field."Clare, BSc Nanoscience (Year 2)
A Natural Sciences degree is a versatile course that will provide you with the skills and experience to succeed in a wide range of careers. With the Natural Sciences specialising in Nanoscience course, you will be equipped to:
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | A*AA in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics |
| International Baccalaureate | 37 points, including grade 6 in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics at Higher Level. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to three A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offers | If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers. |
| EPQ | If you achieve A or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| Duolingo | 110 overall, with a minimum of 100 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT | B2 Communicator High Pass with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
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