Postgraduate Programs 2021/22
Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy Programs in Nano Science and Technology
GENERAL INFORMATION
Award Title

Master of Philosophy in Nano Science and Technology
Doctor of Philosophy in Nano Science and Technology

Program Short Name

MPhil(NSNT)
PhD(NSNT)

Mode of Study

Both full- and part-time

Normative Program Duration

MPhil

Full-time: 2 years
Part-time: 4 years
 

PhD

Full-time: 3 years (with a relevant research master’s degree), 4 years (without a relevant research master’s degree)
Part-time: 6 years

Offering Unit

Department of Physics

Program Advisor

PG Programs Coordinator:
Prof Nian LIN, Professor of Physics

Website

https://nanoprogram.hkust.edu.hk/curriculum-and-courses

Enquiry

phweb@ust.hk

INTRODUCTION

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Program aims to train students to conduct independent research in Nano Science and Technology. A candidate for an MPhil degree is expected to demonstrate knowledge in the discipline and to synthesize and create new knowledge, making a contribution to the field.
 

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program seeks to train postgraduate students to carry out original research, and to cultivate independent and innovative thinking. A candidate for a PhD degree is expected to demonstrate mastery of knowledge in the chosen discipline and to synthesize and create new knowledge, making an original and substantial contribution to the discipline.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of the MPhil program, graduates will be able to:

  1. Explain the principles in nano science and technologies (such as nano material process, nano material characterization, nano device design and fabrication, nano structural observation and manipulation) and apply to problems at the postgraduate level;
  2. Demonstrate competence in the concepts and literature of a specific sub-discipline of physics;
  3. Conduct a successful program of supervised research; and
  4. Communicate scientific results effectively, both orally and in writing.

 

On successful completion of the PhD program, graduates will be able to:

  1. Explain the principles in nano science and technologies (such as nano material process, nano material characterization, nano device design and fabrication, nano structural observation and manipulation) and apply to problems at the postgraduate level;
  2. Demonstrate a mastery of the concepts and literature of a specific sub-discipline of physics;
  3. Conduct a successful program of independent research; and
  4. Communicate scientific results effectively, both orally and in writing.
RESEARCH FOCI

The programs are offered by the Department of Physics with the following research foci and state-of-the-art facilities providing students with necessary interdisciplinary knowledge to contribute to the long-term nanoscale research and development.
 

Research Foci

The Department concentrates its resources on condensed matter physics with potential relevance to the technological industry. Faculty and postgraduate research focus on optical, condensed matter and statistical physics, and include the physics of lasers, solid state, mesoscopic systems, devices, nanomaterials, thin films, surfaces, interfaces, liquid crystals, polymers and composites.
 

An area of interdisciplinary collaboration that has emerged over the years is that of nanomaterials and nanotechnology and the Department is closely linked with HKUST’s front-running William Mong Institute of Nano Science and Technology. The followings are main research areas that the Department is presently focusing on:

  • Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics

  • Biophysics

  • First Principles Studies of Material Properties

  • Information Physics

  • Nano Materials

  • Physics of Semiconductors

  • Soft Condensed Matter Physics

  • Strongly Correlated Electron Systems

  • Surface Physics

  • Particle Theory and Cosmology

  • Ultrafast Photonics and Nonlinear Optics

  • Wave Phenomena and Wave Functional Materials

CURRICULUM

  1. Minimum Credit Requirement

MPhil: 12 credits
PhD: 15 credits
 

  1. Credit Transfer

PhD students entering the program with a relevant master’s or equivalent degree may be granted credit transfer of up to 6 credits based on their background in the related subject areas, subject to prior approval from the PG Coordinator. They must complete at least 3 credits of NANO courses. Students’ course selection must be agreed by their thesis supervisors and approved by their respective Thesis Supervision Committee.
 

  1. Required Courses

MPhil: 12 credits of postgraduate courses, including at least 4 credits of NANO courses.
PhD: 15 credits of postgraduate courses, including at least 4 credits of NANO courses.

Full-time students are expected to complete the coursework requirements during their first four regular terms of study.
 

  1. Graduate Teaching Assistant Training

PDEV 6800

 

All full-time RPg students are required to complete PDEV 6800. The course is composed of a 10-hour training offered by the Center for Education Innovation (CEI), and session(s) of instructional delivery to be assigned by the respective departments. Upon satisfactory completion of the training conducted by CEI, MPhil students are required to give at least one 30-minute session of instructional delivery in front of a group of students for one term. PhD students are required to give at least one such session each in two different terms. The instructional delivery will be formally assessed.
 

  1. Professional Development Course Requirement

PDEV 6770

 

Students are required to complete PDEV 6770. The 1 credit earned from PDEV 6770 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.

 

PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed PDEV 6770 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking PDEV 6770, subject to prior approval of the School.

 

PHYS 6771


Students are required to complete PHYS 6771. The 1 credit earned from PHYS 6771 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.

 

PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates in Nano Science & Tehnology and have completed PHYS 6770 Professional Development in Science (Physics), PHYS 6000 Physics Seminar or other equivalent course(s) before may be exempted from taking PHYS 6771, subject to prior approval of the Department Head or PG Coordinator.

 

  1. English Language Requirement

LANG 5000


Full-time RPg students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Speaking Test administered by the Center for Language Education before the start of their first term of study. Students whose ELPA Speaking Test score is below Level 4, or who failed to take the test in their first term of study, are required to take LANG 5000 until they pass the course by attaining at least Level 4 in the ELPA Speaking Test before graduation. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5000 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
 

LANG 5010


Students are required to complete LANG 5010, which should be taken in the first year of study. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5010 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.

PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates may be considered for exemption from this requirement.

 

  1. PhD Qualifying Examination

PhD students must pass a qualifying examination specified by the Qualifying Examination Committee of the NANO postgraduate program.
 

  1. Thesis Research

NANO 6990
NANO 7990


MPhil:

  1. RRegistration in NANO 6990; and

  2. Presentation and oral defense of the MPhil thesis.

PhD:

  1. Registration in NANO 7990; and

  2. Presentation and oral defense of the PhD thesis.

 

Last update: 31 July 2019

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

 

1. General Admission Requirements of the University

  • Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, or an approved equivalent qualification;

  • Applicants seeking admission to a doctoral degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree with a proven record of outstanding performance from a recognized institution; or presented evidence of satisfactory work at the postgraduate level on a full-time basis for at least one year, or on a part-time basis for at least two years.

2. English Language Admission Requirements

Applicants have to fulfill English Language requirements with one of the following proficiency attainments:

  • TOEFL-iBT: 80*

  • TOEFL-pBT: 550

  • TOEFL-Revised paper-delivered test: 60 (total scores for Reading, Listening and Writing sections)

  • IELTS (Academic Module): Overall score: 6.5 and All sub-score: 5.5

* refers to the total score in one single attempt


Applicants are not required to present TOEFL or IELTS score if

  • their first language is English, or

  • they obtained the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an institution where the medium of instruction was English.

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