Syllabus Application
NS 218
Fundamentals of Nanoscience
Faculty
Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Semester
Spring 2025-2026
Course
NS 218 -
Fundamentals of Nanoscience
Time/Place
Time
Week Day
Place
Date
14:40-15:30
Mon
FENS-G029
Feb 16-May 22, 2026
12:40-14:30
Tue
FENS-G029
Feb 16-May 22, 2026
Level of course
Undergraduate
Course Credits
SU Credit:3, ECTS:6, Basic:4, Engineering:2
Prerequisites
ENS 202
Corequisites
-
Course Type
Lecture
Instructor(s) Information
Ali Rana Atılgan
- Email: atilgan@sabanciuniv.edu
Course Information
Catalog Course Description
Physical principles operative in the 1-100 nm size range. Detailed study of the physics governing behavior of molecules or clusters of molecules at this scale. Inter and intramolecular interactions. Forces driving molecules to flow. Water as a solvent. Self-assembly of molecules.
Course Learning Outcomes:
| 1. | Calculate the equilibrium probabilities of conformations at different temperatures |
|---|---|
| 2. | Categorize forces as short- versus long-range based on the power dependence on separation |
| 3. | Calculate basic intermolecular interactions between atoms and/or particles and classify them as strong/weak based on a comparison with thermal energy |
| 4. | Evaluate results obtained from experiments based-on forces operating at the nanoscale |
| 5. | Calculate the charge distribution near nanoparticles with uniform surface charges |
| 6. | Relate time scale of motion of nanoparticles to their sizes using the diffusion equation |
| 7. | Describe the cooperative binding where one molecule binds to a target; then a second molecule binds with a different affinity |
| 8. | Given the general interaction parameters of a mixture of molecules, identify if self-assembly process will be observed and estimate the morphology of the final equilibrium structure |
Course Objective
Throughout the semester, we will build models to crystallize our thinking---or, better yet, to start thinking. Through modeling, we will develop intuition and heuristics that lead to conjectures and hypotheses to be tested by experiments (in the wet lab and/or in silico). These efforts will help us build a knowledge base for understanding how man-made nanostructures and biological nanomachines behave. By the end of the semester, we will have the foundation needed for junior- and senior-level courses, where extensive measurements of material and biological systems across all scales are conducted and the formation of higher-order structure is discussed.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Related to This Course:
| Clean Water and Sanitation | |
| Affordable and Clean Energy |
Course Materials
Resources:
Textbook:
Dill, K.A., Bromberg, S., and Stigter, D., Molecular Driving Forces, Statistical Thermodynamics in Biology. Garland Science, 2nd Ed., 2011. QC311.5 .D55 2011.
Reference:
Israelachvili, J., Intermolecular and Surface Forces, 3rd Ed. Academic Press, 2011. QD461 .I87 2011
Dill, K.A., Bromberg, S., and Stigter, D., Molecular Driving Forces, Statistical Thermodynamics in Biology. Garland Science, 2nd Ed., 2011. QC311.5 .D55 2011.
Reference:
Israelachvili, J., Intermolecular and Surface Forces, 3rd Ed. Academic Press, 2011. QD461 .I87 2011