Two undergraduate nanotechnology programs have been developed : a multidisciplinary science degree and a combined science/business program. They are currently in the fourth year of operation. Following the initial year of implementation, total enrolment per year has consistently been about 30 students with a UAI of at least 80. Highlights over the past year include seeing the full three year program through to completion and the development of some rather unique nanotechnology subjects. For example, the subject Scanned Probe and Electron Microscopy (60302) provides a hands-on experience in the characterisation and manipulation tools of nanotechnology which is a unique experience for UTS students not catered for in degrees elsewhere. The degree was professionally accredited by the Australian Institute of Physics in 2004. This provides our graduates with professional standing and perhaps, more importantly, certifies that our degree meets a set of independent, national educational standards.
The Nanotechnology degree continues to be very popular with students. The newly developed Nanomaterials undergraduate laboratory course has been completed and 'delivered'. The Institute provides certain subjects: Nanosciences 2 (60104), Nanomaterials (60401) and contributes others on an occasional basis. Nanosciences 2 makes use of an innovative form of delivery. There are no traditional teaching staff in this subject - it is taught either by outside professionals (founders of nanotech start-ups, venture capitalists) or by internal non-academic staff (research office, careers office). The first formal Honours projects were run in 2005, which is four years after the degree was launched. Summer placements of first year students with CSIRO have been well-received by the parties involved. Some of these vacation work projects have already resulted in publications in international journals. In addition, the Institute remains active in public forums such as the UTS career programs, school career days and information meetings and the 'Science in the City' and 'Future Problem Solving' programs.
