Form 2B
City University of Hong Kong
Information on a Course
offered by Department of Physics and Materials Science
with effect from Semester A in 2012 / 2013
This form is for completion by the Course Co-ordinator/Examiner. The information provided on this form will be
deemed to be the official record of the details of the course. It has multipurpose use: for the University’s database,
and for publishing in various University publications including the Blackboard, and documents for students and
others as necessary.
Please refer to the Explanatory Notes attached to this Form on the various items of information required.
Part I
Course Title: Nanotechnology for Biological and Medical Applications
Course Code: AP6179
Course Duration: One semester
No of Credit Units: 3
Level: P6
Medium of Instruction: English
Prerequisites: Nil
Precursors: Nil
Equivalent Courses: Nil
Exclusive Courses: Nil
Part II
1.
Course Aims:
The course presents the knowledge of the application of nanomaterials in biology and
medicine. Upon successful completion of the course, the students are expected to gain a
broad view of using nanomaterials for various applications and improve the ability of
applying nanomaterials to address some of the problems/limitations of the current
technologies and therapies in biology and medicine.
AP6179
1
2.
Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs)
(state what the student is expected to be able to do at the end of the course according to a
given standard of performance)
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
No
1
2
3
4
3.
CILOs
Level of
Importance
Identify and describe the concept, synthesis and
1
characterisation of nanomaterials.
Identify and evaluate the risks of nanomaterials.
2
Design the application of nanomaterials in biology and
3
medicine and explain the working principles. Identify
the state-of-the-art developments in this area.
Apply the knowledge and encourage discovery,
3
innovation and creativity activities to address some of
the problems/limitations of the current technologies
and therapies in biology and medicine.
Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs)
(designed to facilitate students’ achievement of the CILOs)
TLAs
CILO 1
CILO 2
CILO 3
CILO 4
Total (hrs)
Large class
activities
6
6
12
9
33
Small class
activities
3
3
6
Total no of
hours
6
6
15
12
39
Scheduled activities: 3 hrs (2 hrs lecture + 1 hr tutorial)
4.
Assessment Tasks/Activities
(designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs)
Examination Duration: 2 hrs
Percentage of coursework, examination, etc.: 50% by coursework (20% on term paper, 30%
on quiz), 50% by examination.
ATs
CILO 1
CILO 2
CILO 3
CILO 4
Total (%)
AP6179
Exam
6
6
20
18
50
Term paper
10
10
20
2
Quiz
6
6
10
8
30
Total (%)
12%
12%
40%
36%
100%
5.
Grading of Student Achievement: Refer to Grading of Courses in the Academic
Regulations (Attachment) and to the Explanatory Notes.
The grading is assigned based on students’ performance in assessment tasks/activities.
Grade A
The student completes all assessment tasks/activities and the work demonstrates excellent
understanding of the scientific principles and the working mechanisms. He/she can
thoroughly identify and explain how the principles are applied to science and technology for
solving physics and engineering problems. The student’s work shows strong evidence of
original thinking, supported by a variety of properly documented information sources other
than taught materials. He/she is able to communicate ideas effectively and persuasively via
written texts and/or oral presentation.
Grade B
The student completes all assessment tasks/activities and can describe and explain the
scientific principles. He/she provides a detailed evaluation of how the principles are applied
to science and technology for solving physics and engineering problems. He/she
demonstrates an ability to integrate taught concepts, analytical techniques and applications
via clear oral and/or written communication.
Grade C
The student completes all assessment tasks/activities and can describe and explain some
scientific principles. He/she provides simple but accurate evaluations of how the principles
are applied to science and technology for solving physics and engineering problems. He/she
can communicate ideas clearly in written texts and/or in oral presentations.
Grade D
The student completes all assessment tasks/activities but can only briefly describe some
scientific principles. Only some of the analysis is appropriate to show how the principles are
applied to science and technology for solving physics and engineering problems. He/she can
communicate simple ideas in writing and/or orally.
Grade F
The student fails to complete all assessment tasks/activities and/or cannot accurately describe
and explain the scientific principles. He/she fails to identify and explain how the principles
are applied to science and technology for solving physics and engineering problems
objectively or systematically. He/she is weak in communicating ideas and/or the student’s
work shows evidence of plagiarism.
Part III
Keyword Syllabus:

Introduction of nanomaterials (Focused on nanomaterials having potential applications in
biology and medicine: mainly colloidal nanoparticles, but will include nanowires,
nanorods, nanotubes, nanofilms, etc.)

Biological and medical driven strategies for synthesizing nanomaterials (including phase
transfer between aqueous and organic solvents)
AP6179
3

Characterization of nanomaterials

The application and working principle of nanomaterials in biology and medicine
Nanoparticles for controlled/targeted drug delivery. Gene therapy using nanoparticles.
Cancer therapy using nanoparticles. Nanoparticles in immunology. Nanoparticles in cell
biology and therapy. Bactericidal applications of nanoparticles. Quantum dots as
fluorescent probes. Nanoparticles in diagnosis. Magnetic nanoparticles for medical
applications. Biomedical applications of other nanomaterials (e.g., nanotubes, nanowires,
nanofilms). Nanorobotics. Nanomaterials for implants.

Nanomaterial safety (opportunities and risks)
Recommended Reading:
Reference Book(s):
Nano-biotechnology for biomedical and diagnostic research, Eran Zahavy, Arie Ordentlich,
Shmuel Yitzhaki, Avigdor Shafferman (Editors), 2012, Springer
Nanofabrication towards biomedical applications: techniques, tools, applications, and impact,
Challa SSR Kumar, Josef Hormes, Carola Leuschner (Editors), 2005, Wiley-VCH
Journals:
Nature
Science
Nature Nanotechnology
Nature Biotechnology
Nature Medicine
Biomaterials
Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine
Nanotoxicology
Returned by:
Name:
Dr Xianfeng CHEN
Department:
AP
Extension:
7813
Date:
29 Jun 2012
AP6179
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