Nanoscience BSc

  • UCAS Code CF10
  • Duration Up to 4 years
  • Delivery type Full Time
  • Study location
  • Edinburgh
  • Number of places
  • 55 across all programmes

Overview

The Course

Nanoscience is the study of phenomena on a scale ranging from the wavelength of light, down to the size of atoms. It is a rapidly developing field, continually producing fascinating results in many different fields of study. This programme is based on physics but includes content from chemistry and biology to give an important appreciation of how all the sciences have new effects to be observed and new applications to be discovered.

Career Prospects

This degree provides an excellent start for students wanting to work in nanoscience, a field expected to grow in importance and breadth of application for many years. Based in Physics, the degree is also a valuable qualification for graduates moving into other jobs demanding numeracy, physics knowledge and problem-solving skills.

Overview

The Course

Nanoscience is the study of phenomena on a scale ranging from the wavelength of light, down to the size of atoms. It is a rapidly developing field, continually producing fascinating results in many different fields of study. This programme is based on physics but includes content from chemistry and biology to give an important appreciation of how all the sciences have new effects to be observed and new applications to be discovered.

Career Prospects

This degree provides an excellent start for students wanting to work in nanoscience, a field expected to grow in importance and breadth of application for many years. Based in Physics, the degree is also a valuable qualification for graduates moving into other jobs demanding numeracy, physics knowledge and problem-solving skills.

Programme content

Level 1

Contains material common to all physics programmes to preserve the ability to transfer to other programmes. The necessary grounding in chemistry is delivered in this year.

Level 2

The Physics programme content is augmented by Biology in Level 2. Applicants seeking direct entry to Level 2 should possess an appropriate qualification in Chemistry.

Level 3

Is primarily Physics content supplemented by the Chemistry of Materials.

Level 4

The principles of the effects and behaviour on the nano-scale are covered in Level 4.

Iain Lawrie Claire Reekie

Iain Lawrie

Degree MPhys (First Class Hons), Computational Physics
Present Job Physics Teacher, George Watson's College,Edinburgh
Iain Lawrie


“I graduated in 1999 (Computational Physics) and found having a Physics degree opened many possible career doors. Opting initially for accounting I worked for five years as a Corporate Tax Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, qualifying as a chartered accountant in the process. However, having got married (to another of the Physics class of 99!) family life was on my mind. I was also hearing the call of my first love - Physics. One year of re-training later and I began teaching Physics at George Watson’s College where I am still happily educating and entertaining. My Physics programme notes from all those years ago are proving a very valuable asset when developing Advanced Higher Physics investigations, as are the laboratory skills developed in my first two undergraduate years.”

“The undergraduate Physics programme left me with a passion and excitement about the world we live in that I try to pass on to all pupils I encounter, hoping to inspire them to study Physics at university level.“

Claire Reekie

School Beath High School, Cowdenbeath
Degree Physics with Education
Present Job Physics Teacher
Claire Reekie

"My ambition since leaving school was to one day return and teach Physics. This has been made possible by the excellent course and tuition provided at Heriot-Watt. Through their expertise, care and dedication (and a bit of hard work from myself) I graduated with an Honours degree in 'Physics with Education'."

Entry requirements

The University offers as its normal entry routes:

  • entry at Level 1, mainly for students with Scottish Highers (or similar)
  • entry at Level 2, mainly for students with A-levels (or similar).

There is nevertheless considerable flexibility, depending on the level of qualifications, for entrants with A-levels to opt to enter at Level 1 and for Scottish students to enter at Level 2. Direct entry into Level 3 is also possible for students who already have certain HE qualifications.

Level 1 entry

  • Scottish Highers AABB or BBBBC
  • GCE A Level BBB
  • SQA Higher National Cert B in graded unit. Relevant HNC - please contact Admissions Tutor to discuss further
  • Int. Baccalaureate 29 points to include Higher Level Mathematics and Physics
  • Scottish Baccalaureate pass with BC in Adv. Higher Maths and Physics
  • Additional information Entry normally to include Physics and Mathematics Highers or A-Levels at B and for Chemical Physics B in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry

Level 2 entry

  • GCE A Level ABB
  • SQA Advanced Highers ABB plus AABB at Higher
  • SQA Higher National Cert A in graded unit. Relevant HNC - subject to satisfactory tutor reference and interview. Please contact Admissions Tutor to discuss further.
  • SQA Higher National Dip BBC in graded units. Relevant HND - subject to satisfactory tutor reference and interview. Please contact Admissions Tutor to discuss further.
  • Scottish Baccalaureate Distinction with AB in Adv. Higher Mathematics and Physics
  • Additional information A range of alternative qualifications may be accepted including good qualifications in non-scientific subjects and mature applicants with appropriate work experience. Advanced qualifications should be in Physics and Mathematics.

Level 3 entry

  • SQA Higher National Dip AAB in graded units. Relevant HND - subject to satisfactory tutor reference and interview. Please contact Admissions Tutor to discuss further.

Tuition fees

Status* Scotland / EU** England / Northern Ireland / Wales International
Fee Paid by SAAS £9,000 £14,340

* Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the 3 years before the start of your programme. Find out more about tuition fees.

** European Union countries, not including England, Northern Ireland or Wales.

Scholarships & bursaries