Nanoscience and Society
Code: 106836 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Nanoscience and Nanotechnology | OB | 2 |
Contact
- Name:
- Eva Maria Pellicer Vila
- Email:
- eva.pellicer@uab.cat
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
There are not any prerequisites.
Objectives and Contextualisation
This subject provides students with a general overview of nanotechnology, beyond the scientific content developed during the degree. The main goal is to offer a cross-training which will allow students to identify what are the fields of application of nanotechnology, its impact on society, and what will our society look like in the near future. This will enable students to uncover areas in which a nanotechnologist can have a place but have so far been unknown. The subject is organized into five units: 0) Nanotechnology and its applications. 1) Nanotechnology in perspective. 2) Nanotechnology in Europe, Asia and the United States. 3) Scientific and technological development of nanotechnology. 4) Nanotechnology in Spain and Catalonia. 5) Ethical and social aspects. The idea is to explore beyond the science itself so that, after the multiple possibilities nanotechnology fits into society and labour market are disclosed, students become aware that greatest potential for labour market integration happens when the scientific training acquired during the degree couples to transferable skills.
Learning Outcomes
- CM28 (Competence) Assess the socio-economic and environmental impact of nanotechnologies.
- CM29 (Competence) Assess sex and gender inequalities in terms of both access to and the application of nanotechnology.
- KM48 (Knowledge) Recognise the impact of nanoscience and nanotechnology on society from an interdisciplinary point of view.
- KM49 (Knowledge) Identify the various philosophical, ethical and sociological approaches to science and technology and identify how they have evolved over time.
- KM50 (Knowledge) Identify the ethical principles and legislative standards involved in marketing new products based on nanotechnology and their experimental validation.
- KM51 (Knowledge) Describe the fundamental aspects involved in managing and protecting the knowledge of scientific results.
- SM41 (Skill) Analyse the risks to the environment associated with handling and using products derived from nanotechnology.
- SM42 (Skill) Use tools from the fields of journalism and information to synthesise, critically analyse and communicate research results and current issues on science and society.
Content
0. Nanotechnology and its applications:
The 'nano' scale
Properties of nanomaterials
Main applications
1. Nanotechnology in perspective:
Social perception of nanotechnology
Top 10 emerging technologies in the last five years
Knowledge economy
Hype Cycle
Evolution of nanotechnology in recent years
Investment in nanotechnology
2. Nanotechnology in Europe, Asia and the United States:
EU framework programs: evolution
Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe
KETs (Key Enabling Technology)
Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
Nanotechnology as a KET
The race to lead nanotechnology research: China and the United States
The NNI (National Nanotechnology Initiative)
3. Scientific and technological development of nanotechnology:
Scientific production: scientific publications and citations. Publish or perish
Intellectual protection. Patents
Entrepreneurship. Spin-off versus start-up
Venture capital
4. Nanotechnology in Spain and Catalonia:
The NanoSpain network
National companies in the sector
CERCA centers
ICREA program
5. Ethical and social aspects:
REACH regulation in nanotechnology
Risk management in nanotechnology. The FDA and the EMEA.
Ethics and nanotechnology
Lessons from history
Dissemination of science. Citizen science.
Gender perspective and dimension in science in general and nanoscience in particular
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| In-class exercises and case studies | 15 | 0.6 | |
| Lectures | 42 | 1.68 | |
| Oral presentation | 20 | 0.8 | |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Mentoring | 18 | 0.72 | |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Estudi | 25 | 1 | |
| Problem solving | 5 | 0.2 | |
| Reading articles | 5 | 0.2 |
Lectures
The teacher will introduce and develop the theoretical contents of the subject using ppt. Supporting material will be delivered to students.
Classroom debates (forums) and exercises
Debates and exercises (in the broadest sense of the word) will serve to consolidate and see how the knowledge acquired during theory classes is put into practice. They will be intercalated with the theory classes to reinforce specific aspects or at the end the thematic units. The debates will be carried out under the guidance of the teacher and with the proactive participation of the students. Classroom tests will be carried out to monitor the knowledge acquired.
Group presentations
Oral presentations in small groups will be given at the end of the semester, covering topics from the contents of the subject and beyond.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exams | 50 | 10 | 0.4 | CM28, CM29, KM48, KM49, KM50, KM51, SM41 |
| Oral group presentación | 35 | 6 | 0.24 | CM28, CM29, KM48, KM49, KM50, KM51, SM41, SM42 |
| Tests / problems done in class | 15 | 4 | 0.16 | CM28, CM29, KM48, KM49, KM50, KM51, SM41 |
In-class tests: the student will have to demonstrate consolidation of the acquired knowledge (15% of the mark).
Group oral presentations: they represent 35% of the final mark and will be held by the end of the semester. Oral presentations will be followed by a discussion with the classmates. They are compulsory, as well as attendance at the presentations delivered by the other students. The technical and formal quality of the presentation as well as the answers given during the discussion phase will be considered.
Two exams covering the theory content of the subject and the aspects addressed during the practical sessions and seminars. They account for 50% of the final mark.
The proactive attitude in the classroom will be taken into account for the final grade of the subject.
Re-assessment for this subject requires the student must previously have done a minimum of two-thirds of the course-assessment items.
In order to pass the course, you must have an overall grade equal to or higher than 5.0. If you fail, but you get a minimum of 3.5 overall in the subject, you will have the right to a written makep-up test covering the entire contents of the subject that will allow you to pass with a maximum mark of 5 over 10.
Bibliography
There is not a dedicated textbook. Relevant works in the field will be indicated in the ppt slides and lecture notes given by the teacher.
Software
Not applicable.
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan | second semester | afternoon |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 2 | Catalan | second semester | afternoon |
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | second semester | afternoon |