Master’s Programme Nanomaterials Science€¦ · Master’s Programme Nanomaterials Science...

Faculty of ScienceGraduate School of Natural Sciences

Master’s ProgrammeNanomaterials ScienceCourse guide 2017/2018

UTRECHT UNIVERSITY

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

DEBYE INSTITUTE FOR NANOMATERIALS SCIENCE

2017/2018

COURSE GUIDE

MASTER NANOMATERIALS SCIENCE

CONTENTS

1. General introduction ............................................................................. 3

1.1. Introduction to Nanomaterials Science ....................................................... 3

1.2. Programme aim ....................................................................................... 4

2. Programme content .............................................................................. 5

2.1. Course overview ...................................................................................... 7

2.2. Mandatory and primary elective courses ..................................................... 8

2.3. Secondary electives ............................................................................... 10

2.4. Research project and thesis .................................................................... 11

2.5. Extra-curricular activity .......................................................................... 12

3. Course descriptions ............................................................................ 13

3.1. Mandatory courses ................................................................................. 13

3.2. Primary elective courses ......................................................................... 21

3.3. Extra-curricular course ........................................................................... 50

3.4. Secondary electives ............................................................................... 53

3.4.1. Secondary elective courses ................................................................... 53

3.4.2. Profiles ............................................................................................... 53

3.4.3. Internship ........................................................................................... 54

4. Research project and thesis................................................................ 57

4.1. Introduction .......................................................................................... 57

4.2. The application process .......................................................................... 58

4.3. The assessment process ......................................................................... 58

5. Research group profiles of the Debye institute of Nanomaterials Science ............................................................................................... 61

5.1. Condensed matter and interfaces (CMI) .................................................... 62

5.2. Inorganic chemistry and catalysis (ICC) .................................................... 64

5.3. Organic chemistry and catalysis (OCC) ..................................................... 67

5.4. Physical and colloid chemistry (FCC) ........................................................ 69

Course Guide Nanomaterials Science 1

5.5. Soft condensed matter and biophysics (SCM&B) ....................................... 71

6. Honours programmes ......................................................................... 74

6.1. The Debye honours programme ............................................................... 74

6.2. The Double Degree honours programme ................................................... 77

7. Appendix ............................................................................................ 79

7.1. Online information ................................................................................. 79

7.2. Names and addresses ............................................................................ 82


1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1. INTRODUCTION TO NANOMATERIALS SCIENCE

Scientific progress and innovation typically originate from the combined talents and expertise in chemistry, physics and materials science. This holds particularly for the exciting field of Nanomaterials Science, which is the focus of this master’s programme.

In the field of functional materials there is an obvious trend to systems that are determined by nanoscopic properties, specifically in the exciting area of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Here the building blocks are macromolecules, colloids, nanoparticles, or quantum structures with dimensions on the nanometre scale. Self-assembly of such building blocks can provide complex architectures (quantum-dot molecules and solids). Quantization is an important feature of such systems; quantum size effects play a crucial role in determining the physical and chemical properties, e.g. electronic structure and charge-transport mechanisms. Optical and electron-tunnelling spectroscopies are essential for studying these systems.

The challenges in this area include the synthesis of the basic units, their assembly to form materials showing new functionalities and phenomena and the development of theory needed to understand these intriguing effects. Key applications are found in the areas of smart materials, devices and sustainability: sensors, solar cells, (opto)electronics, renewable energy storage, and in the biophysics and biomedical fields. The emphasis in this master programme is on three key expertise areas:

• CATALYSIS AND CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS • COLLOID SCIENCE • NANOPHOTONICS

CATALYSIS, both homogeneous and heterogeneous, plays an essential role in modern society. There is clearly a need for more efficient and environmentally friendly processes for the synthesis of fuels and chemicals (including medicines), the production of functional materials, and energy conversion and storage. An important aspect of heterogeneous catalysis is the design and characterization of the catalyst system: an inorganic nanoporous material which acts as a support for the catalytically active nanoparticles (1-10 nm in size). The aim is controlled design (molecular engineering) of the active site. A range of techniques is available for the study of both the catalyst and the catalytic reactions. These include advanced electron microscopy techniques, X-ray photoelectron and X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, as Raman/IR/UV-Vis spectroscopy and sophisticated quantum-chemical calculations. Homogeneous catalysis uses the unique possibilities offered by metal ions surrounded by organic ligands for the orientation and activation of reactants. An exciting development is the use of non-noble metals like iron in catalysis in view of sustainability considerations, and the study of hybrid materials such as metal-organic frameworks. Designing and assembling new


functional materials requires a thorough understanding of reaction mechanisms and the relation between structure and properties.

COLLOID science as taught in the programme is important not only for acquiring insight into the fundamentals of fascinating systems known as colloidal dispersions, but also for its usefulness in other fields of research as well as practical applications. Thermodynamics of colloid nucleation and growth, for example, is applied in catalysis and quantum dot synthesis. Colloidal transport properties such as sedimentation, filtration and rheology are met by anyone investigating or employing dispersed particles in solution. Soft matter research utilizes quite some theories, techniques and particle systems that find their root in colloid science. A basic understanding of colloidal stability and aggregation kinetics is indispensable in the development and applications of a great variety of colloidal dispersions, including clays, paints, dairy products and magnetic fluids.

NANOPHOTONICS is also concerned with the study and, in particular, the manipulation of photons. Chemical synthesis is used to create new materials and systems with exciting properties. For example, it has recently been shown that the spectral distribution and time-dependent decay of light emitted from quantum dots in a photonic crystal are controlled by the host lattice. These photonic systems are studied by advanced scanning probe techniques, electron microscopy and linear and non-linear laser spectroscopy. The possibility of using these techniques at the single-particle or single-molecule level is particularly exciting. Applications include miniature lasers, single-photon sources for quantum information storage and solar energy harvesting.

Clearly, research in all these areas is multidisciplinary. The expertise necessary for teaching and research in the programme is provided by the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, which is based in both the Chemistry and the Physics Department. The Institute has a scientific staff of 50 plus 120 PhD students and 40 post docs. The Institute produces on average 25 PhD theses and 270 scientific publications each year. In addition, the programme has close ties with a number of prestigious Dutch research institutes and multinational research organisations.1

1.2. PROGRAMME AIM

The master programme aims to introduce the student to challenging areas of research in an interdisciplinary environment by (i) providing essential background courses with an emphasis on nanomaterials and synthesis, and (ii) developing the experimental skills necessary to perform competitive research in fields such as catalysis, colloid science and photonics.

1 The programme has ties with industry (including Philips Research, Unilever, NIZO, ASML, BASF, DSM, Albe Marle) and with Dutch research institutes: DIFFER, FOM Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics (AMOLF) and Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN).


2. PROGRAMME CONTENT

The Nanomaterials science master is a two-years programme of the Department of Chemistry. The study combines course work with research in one of the groups of the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, hereafter abbreviated as Debye Institute. There are options for both fundamental and applied approaches. The student can, for example, specialize in self-assembled quantum-dots, colloid science, organic chemistry and catalysis. Alternatively, the choice can be application-driven; the student can learn to synthesize, engineer and analyse advanced (nano)materials for applications, e.g. in catalysis, photonics and colloidal dispersions.

NOTE: CHANGES HAVE BEEN EFFECTUATED IN THE PROGRAMME AS OF SEPTEMBER 2016 AND APPLY FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THIS PROGRAMME FROM THIS DATE. STUDENTS WHO ENTERED THE PROGRAMME BEFORE THIS DATE, CONTINUE WITH THE PROGRAMME AS DESCRIBED IN THE COURSE GUIDE 2015-2016. HOWEVER, CERTAIN COURSES ARE NOT SCHEDULED IN THE YEAR 2017-2018. A LIST WITH ACTUAL COURSES ARE GIVEN IN THIS GUIDE.

The programme curriculum (120 EC) consists of four parts:

• MANDATORY COURSES (15 EC) • PRIMARY ELECTIVE COURSES (22,5 EC) TO CHOOSE OUT OF A

LIST OF PRE-DETERMINED COURSES • SECONDARY ELECTIVES (30 EC) • RESEARCH PROJECT AND THESIS (52,5 EC)

The mandatory courses (see Table 1 in 2.1) act on the one hand to offer all students a background in chemical concepts useful for every research project and introduce on the other hand students to the profession of an academic researcher and the demands of the labour market.

The primary elective courses (see Table 1 in 2.1) address the main themes of the master’s programme and interests of the Debye research groups. Each research group has chosen one particular course that covers the concepts and ideas needed to perform and develop the research project in that area. As not every student will be interested in all three main research themes of the Debye Institute, he or she can choose three primary courses out of a list of Debye courses. The student’s interest can move from pure chemistry to a mixture of physics and chemistry. Note that some courses offered by the Physics Department will not be taught on a yearly basis.

The programme structure is visualised in Figure 1.


Figure 1. Structure of the Master Programme Nanomaterials Science


2.1. COURSE OVERVIEW

TABLE 1. COURSE LIST OF THE NANOMATERIALS SCIENCE PROGRAMME BI-ANNUAL COURSES: * NOT IN 2017-2018, ** NOT IN 2018-2019

M= Mandatory, PE= Primary Elective, SE= Secondary Elective, R= Research, EX= extracurricular activity

Course code Course name EC Type

Faculty or

depart-ment

SK-MACCO Academic Context Course 6.5 M SK

GSNS-INTRO Introducing Natural Sciences 0.5 M SK

FI-MHPSDIL Dilemmas of the Scientist 0.5 M FI

SK-MAKC Adsorption, Kinetics and Catalysis (AKC) 7.5 M SK

SK-MASPN Advanced Spectroscopy of Nanomaterials 7.5 PE SK

SK-MOCHC Organometallic Chemistry and Homogeneous Catalysis 7.5 PE SK

SK-MOSS Advanced Organic Synthesis 7.5 PE SK

SK-MSYNA Synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts and related materials 7.5 PE SK

SK-MPC3 Advanced Physical Chemistry 7.5 PE SK

SK-MCS Colloid Science 7.5 PE SK

NS-TP432M Modelling and Simulation 7.5 PE P

SK-MTOYM Toy Models 7.5 PE SK

NS-TP453M Soft Condensed Matter Theory 7.5 PE P

NS-EX421M Computational Quantum Mechanics ** 7.5 PE P

SK-MSOLS Solids & Surfaces 7.5 PE SK

GEO4-2513 Photovoltaic Solar Energy Physics and Technology 7.5 PE GEO

NS-EX417M Physics of Light and Electron Microscopy * 4.5 PE P

NS-EX419M Application of Light and Electron Microscopy * 3 PE P

NS-EX418M Photon Physics 7.5 PE P

SK-MINTERN Internship 30 SE SK

SK-MRES1 Research project part 1: introduction and start of the research project 15 R SK

SK-MRES2 Research project part 2: research and thesis 37.5 R SK

SK-MRES2H Research project part 2: research and thesis (Honours) 45 R SK

FI-MTT Teaching assistant training 1 EX FI

The planning of the (M and PE) courses for academic year 2017-2018 is given in Figure 2.


Figure 2. Course Schedule Nanomaterials Science 2017-2018

2.2. MANDATORY AND PRIMARY ELECTIVE COURSES

Note: Most courses have a study load of 7,5 EC.

MANDATORY COURSES (15 EC)

• Adsorption, Kinetics and Catalysis (7,5 EC) • Academic Context (6,5 EC) • Introducing Natural Sciences (0,5 EC) • Dilemmas of the Scientist (0,5 EC)

PRIMARY ELECTIVES COURSES (22,5 EC)

These courses are listed according to the research fields of interest of the Debye groups. The courses in bold are strongly advised to be taken by the research group where you will perform your research project and thesis. Have a look at the research section for additional course requirements per research group.


CATALYSIS AND CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS

Participating groups: Inorganic Chemistry & Catalysis, Organic Chemistry & Catalysis

• Advanced Spectroscopy of Nanomaterials

• Organometallic Chemistry & Homogeneous Catalysis (only for the organic chemistry and catalysis group)

• Advanced Organic Synthesis

• Synthesis of Heterogeneous Catalysts and Related Materials

COLLOID SCIENCE

Participating groups: Physical and Colloid Chemistry, Soft Condensed Matter & Biophysics (Department of Physics)

• Advanced Physical Chemistry

• Colloid Science

• Modelling and Simulation

• Toy models

• Soft Condensed Matter Theory

NANOPHOTONICS

Participating group: Condensed Matter and Interfaces

• Advanced Spectroscopy of Nanomaterials • Computational Quantum Mechanics

• Solids and Surfaces

• Photovoltaic Solar Energy Physics and Technology

• Physics of Light and Electron Microscopy

• Application of Light and Electron Microscopy

• Photon Physics


2.3. SECONDARY ELECTIVES

There are four possibilities to earn the 30 EC (i.e. A..D). You can choose between either courses, internship work experience or selected profiles.

A. COURSE WORK (30 EC)

1. courses needed to meet entry requirements (maximum of 15 EC2); 2. remaining primary courses; 3. courses from other master’s programmes in the Faculty of Science of 30 EC (if

admission qualifications are fulfilled); 4. courses from other programmes if permission is granted by the director of

education; 5. selected courses from other universities within the Netherlands or abroad which

are approved by the director of education and the chemistry sub-board of examiners.

B. INTERNSHIP WORK EXPERIENCE (30 EC)

Students may, instead of taking elective courses, do a half-year project (i.e. internship, SK-MINTERN) either in industry, in a research institute or in an university group (the latter preferably abroad). The faculty’s international office assembles all information concerning grants and scholarships. It is the policy of this research programme to start the internship at the end of the master’s programme when courses and the research project are finished and the research report has been handed in. In case the internship is used to improve one’s experimental skills, the reverse order is possible after the approval of the director of education.

2 Repair deficiencies regarding the Admission Qualifications In order to qualify for the degree programme students must meet certain requirements with regard to their background. A bachelor degree in chemistry or in physics with a minor in chemistry or materials science is a prerequisite for admission. A good basic knowledge of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry is essential to obtain a degree in Chemical Sciences. Students who apply will need to have taken at least three chemistry courses at a level corresponding to Utrecht University bachelor courses: Physical Chemistry 2 (SK-BFYCH), Inorganic and Solid State Chemistry (SK-BANV13), Advanced (Super) Structures: Scattering and Microscopy (SK-BASSM), Organic Chemistry 3 (SK-BORC3) and Applied Density Functional Theory (SK-BTDFT). Students with a HLO-background first follow the premaster’s programme before entering this master’s programme. An important feature of this part of the programme is to allow students, where necessary, to comply with the entry requirements by taking courses from the bachelor’s programme in chemistry for a maximum of 15 EC. Decisions concerning qualifications will be made by the Board of Admission.


C. COMBINATION OF COURSES AND PROJECT (30 EC)

Alternatively, a short project in an industrial or an university group (internship) may be combined with two secondary courses (15 EC + 15 EC) i.e. a short project (15 EC) + 2 courses from A (15 EC). The student should be aware that industrial placements are rarely offered for a short period of 3 months.

D. PROFILES IN EDUCATION, COMPLEX SYSTEMS OR APPLIED DATA SCIENCE (30 EC)

PROFILE IN EDUCATION

Students pursuing a career as a teacher in secondary school can start their teaching degree within this master’s programme by taking the educational profile. After graduation from this master’s programme, the teacher degree will still endure for 6 months instead of a year. Students who already passed successfully the education minor of 30 EC during their bachelor’s study, will immediately graduate as (first degree) teacher when they have successfully completed this educational profile. However, there is no automatic admission to this profile. Information about content and admission procedures can be retrieved from the Programme Annex attached to the Education and Examination Regulations (EER).

COMPLEX SYSTEMS OR APPLIED DATE SCIENCE PROFILE

Students who are more interested in interdisciplinary components within this programme can also opt for a profile in complex systems or in applied data science. Both profiles are set up in close collaboration with several faculties of our university. By default each profile consists of two courses related to the main theme and a small interdisciplinary research project (internship) of 15 EC, supervised by at least one person performing research in the field of complex systems or applied data analysis. More information about courses is given in the Programme Annex of the Education and Examination regulations. A link to this document is given in the last section of this Course Guide.

2.4. RESEARCH PROJECT AND THESIS (52,5 EC)

The research project can be carried out in one of the research groups of the Debye Institute. An introduction of the research groups is given in Section 5.

• Condensed Matter and Interfaces • Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis • Organic Chemistry and Catalysis • Physical and Colloid Chemistry • Soft Condensed Matter and Biophysics (P)


The research project consists of two parts i.e.:

Part 1 (SK-MRES1, 15 EC): Introduction and start of the research project

Part 2 (SK-MRES2, 37,5 EC): Research and thesis

One year of the programme will be devoted to a project involving fundamental research in one of the groups of the Debye Institute 3 or another laboratory 4 . Students can choose from a wide variety of research topics to suit their particular skills and ambitions. These topics range from advanced chemical synthesis to an interdisciplinary experimental project, and include all aspects of the primary lecture programme given in section 2.2 (see also Research Group profiles in section 5). Work in the group is supervised by a staff member, who also acts as advisor, helping the student to define his/her course profile (possible deficiencies, the choice and timing of the courses)5 and, where relevant, to plan the internship. The student will have a daily supervisor; in many cases a PhD candidate or a post-doc. A second staff member acts as an additional supervisor to ensure a proper assessment of the work. The research will result in a master’s thesis. In addition, the student will give a presentation of the work for the staff and students of the research group. More about requirements and assessment criteria are given in section 4.

2.5. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY

The course TEACHING TRAINING aims to prepare students-assistants for their teaching task. An extra credit point (on top of the 120 EC) can be obtained when this course is successfully completed. More details can be found in section 3.3.

CONTACT HOURS

The average number of contact hours for a student of the programme (number of scheduled contact hours for the different courses and, in addition, the scheduled or standardised supervision time) is: 320 hours or 16 h/w for the whole programme excluding the research part of 52,5 EC and the internship of 30 EC. The number of contact hours for a student in the research part as well as the internship of the programme is specified in individual application forms. In the case that a student opts for 60 EC course work, the scheduled hours amount to 640 hours or 16h/w (excluding the research project of 52,5 EC).

3 Students may carry out their thesis project in one of the Debye groups of the Department of Chemistry or the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

4 In principle, the thesis research can be performed at a foreign university, in an industrial laboratory or in an external institute. In these cases the project must be approved by the director of education and supervised by a staff member of the Debye Institute.

5 Course work and research may “overlap”, to allow optimum use of the time available.


3. COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

3.1. MANDATORY COURSES


ADSORPTION, KINETICS AND CATALYSIS

Course code (Osiris) SK-MAKC

Coordinator Prof. Dr. K.P. de Jong (0302536762), [email protected]

Lecturers Prof. Dr. K.P. de Jong, Dr. P.E. de Jongh, dr. F.M.F. de Groot

Discipline group Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis

Work load 7.5 EC

Semester 1, period 1

Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl

Work form Lectures, exercises, self study, literature study

Materials I. Chorkendorff, J. W. Niemantsverdriet, “Concepts of Modern Catalysis and Kinetics. Second, Revised and Enlarged Edition”, Wiley-VCH; lecture notes.

Evaluation Written exam

Level M (master)

Entry requirements BSc Chemistry

COURSE AIMS

After completion of the course, the student should have:

• Knowledge of type of catalytic reactions with their mechanism and applications.

• Fundamental understanding of adsorption as basis for catalyst characterization and kinetics.

• Knowledge and use of kinetics of catalytic reactions, mathematical description and physical basis.

• Basic understanding on effects of diffusion on catalytic relations.

COURSE CONTENT

This course prepares for research in the field of catalysis, nanostructured materials and gas adsorption. Fundamentally different mechanisms of catalytic reactions on surfaces (acid-base, metals and oxides) are introduced and linked to related industrial processes. The first step of all catalytic reactions on surfaces involves adsorption. For that reason we discuss both physisorption and chemisorption, the former also for the study of surface area and texture of porous solids. An introduction into kinetics is based on Langmuir-Hinshelwood descriptions as well as collision theory and transition state theory. The impact of diffusion on the rate of catalytic reactions is dealt with. Ambitious students are allowed to attend the


mailto:[email protected]

(optional) national course `Catalytic Surface Science' organized by NIOK, the Netherlands Institute for Catalysis Research.

CONTACT HOURS

64 hours


ACADEMIC CONTEXT

Course code (Osiris) SK-MACCO

Coordinator Prof. Dr. Eelco Vogt, (0651378767 ), [email protected]

Lecturers Prof. Dr. Eelco Vogt, Prof. Dr. A. Philipse, Dr. A. Van Keer

Discipline group Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis, Physical and Colloid Chemistry

Work load 6.5 EC

Semester 1,2

Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl Work form Lectures, seminars, work lunches, colloquia

Materials none

Evaluation Written assignment of a literature review (67%), poster presentation (10%), Assignment on scientific integrity (23%), active involvement at several activities

Level M (master)

Entry requirements Non other than admission to master programme Nanomaterials Science

COURSE AIMS

After completion of the course, the student has:

• improved his/her writing skills to write a literature essay chosen in collaboration and under the supervision of a Debye research group member

• presented his/her essay during a poster symposium to an audience of peers • learned to reflect on ethical dilemma’s related to the profession of a

researcher and to act accordingly • gained insight into the work and attitudes of academic researchers by

actively participating at the Debye lunches, Debye colloquia, the Debye Professor Lectures

• gained insight into the demands of the labour market outside the Academia

COURSE CONTENT

The Academic Context course contains the following parts:.

A. Introduction to the nanomaterials science programme (A. Van Keer)

B. Module Integrity in Chemistry (A.P. Philipse): 1.5 EC

C. Writing a review or an essay paper (E. Vogt): 5 EC



https://www.osiris.uu.nl/

D. Participation (a minimum of one event) at the annual programme Career Event: 0 EC

E. Participation at the Debye lunches, Colloquia, Debye Professor Lectures: 0 EC

This Academic Context course elaborates further on the Bachelor’s academic context course to improve academic skills and attitudes at master’s level. The course also serves to strengthen the community of students starting together either in September or in February.

A: The course first starts with an introduction to this programme. The student will receive information on choosing courses, choosing an appropriate research group, the research project itself, the assessment of the research project, the honours programmes, the aims of an internship, etc. There is time to discuss your study plan individually. Students coming from abroad will get a guided tour along the Debye research labs and lecture rooms.

B: Performing research is more than just doing experiments. The art of research is also to handle ethically with own obtained results and to act when specific dilemmas are at stake. Albert Philipse will provide you with specific examples in the field of chemistry. This module will be concluded with a written assignment.

C: Writing a scientific essay or writing a review and knowing how to look for the appropriate literature papers is another important academic skill. In this module the students will be trained in writing one of the above mentioned products. The student will receive a training with instructions and is free to choose a topic of his/her own interest. The student will be guided by a member of a research group. This module will be concluded with a poster presentation of the work and assessed by a panel of Debye researchers during the fall of their second year.

D: Chemistry students will also get a specific career event with invited speakers who work with chemistry graduates. This event will be concluded with drinks to stimulate students to talk further with the speakers.

E: Attending Debye research activities are meant to enlarge a student’s view on hot topics in the field of nanoscience. Staff and PhD’s will present their work followed by interactive discussion sessions. Every year, the Debye Institute invites a well-known researcher, for a couple of months to teach and perform research. Students will be actively stimulated to follow a lecture series by the Debye professor and to active participate at the Debye lunches and symposia.

CONTACT HOURS

40 hours spread during the study


INTRODUCING NATURAL SCIENCES

Course code (Osiris) GSNS-INTRO

Coordinator Dr. Annik Van Keer, (0614221436), [email protected]

Lecturers Invited speakers

Discipline group Graduate School of Natural Sciences

Work load 0.5 EC

Period First week of September or February


Work form Lectures, group work, workshops

Materials none

Evaluation Attendance will be registered

Level M (master)

Entry requirements Admission to one of the Graduate School’s master’s programmes

COURSE AIMS

The Graduate School's Introduction Days aim to:

• introduce students to the Graduate School of Natural Sciences and the student's master’s programme. Students will get an overview of courses and interdisciplinary options.

• give students an introduction to scientific integrity which will be further explored during the course of the academic year

• give students the opportunity to listen to key-note speakers from the academia as well as from the labour market

• give students the possibility to think ahead about their futur by offering them workshops and an information market

• give students a warm welcome by starting a community from the first day of their arrival

COURSE CONTENT

There are two morning sessions with several speakers introducing the student to the education system of the graduate school, its rules, its curricula, general and practical information about personnel and administration, specific information about the programme itself and expectations of the programme board about their students, honours education, specific profiles across disciplines and the profession of teacher.




Knowing what kind of skills and attitudes the labour market is looking for, is considered as important. Workshops will train students to enhance awareness about their own strengths and weaknesses or introduce them to the work and life of PhD students.

Students will have ample time to get to known each other and their programme board. Lunches, drinks and a concluding dinner will be organised.

CONTACT HOURS

16 hours


DILEMMAS OF THE SCIENTIST

Course code (Osiris) FI-MHPSDIL

Coordinator Dr. Hieke Huistra, (030 253 5618), [email protected]

Lecturers Dr. Hieke Huistra, Prof. Dr. Bert Theunissen

Discipline group Freudenthal Institute

Work load 0.5 EC

Period Three meetings through the year, starting with the first session at the introduction of the Graduate School


Work form Workshops

Materials none

Evaluation Attendance will be registered

Level M (master)


COURSE AIMS

• The student is able to explain what a dilemma of integrity is and to provide examples of such dilemmas.

• The student is able to recognize dilemmas of integrity in the practice of doing academic research.

• The student is able to discuss dilemmas of integrity with both peers and supervisors, and to use these discussions to decide how to act when confronted with a dilemma of integrity.

• The student is aware of the social responsibilities that come with her/his position as a (future) scientist.

COURSE CONTENT

Themes that will be addressed in this course: The course discusses dilemmas of integrity in the practice of doing academic research. Students will learn what such dilemmas are and how they can deal with them in practice.

This course consists of two workshops, both of which will last approximately 4 hours. The first workshop will be scheduled in the first year of your master programme; the second workshop, in the second year.




3.2. PRIMARY ELECTIVE COURSES


ADVANCED ORGANIC SYNTHESIS

Course code (Osiris) SK-MOSS

Coordinator Prof. Dr. L.W. Jenneskens (030-2533128), [email protected]

Lecturers Prof. Dr. L.W. Jenneskens,, Prof. Dr. Roland Pieters, Dr. Tom Wennekes

Discipline group Organic Chemistry and Catalysis

Work load 7.5 EC



Work form Lectures, tutorials and presentations

Materials Lecture notes, handouts

Evaluation Reports/ essays, presentation

Level M (master)

Entry requirements Second and third year BSC-courses in Organic Chemistry

COURSE AIMS

• An advanced understanding of the architecture and complexity of organic molecules from a synthetic and mechanistic perspective (advanced retro-syntheses)

• Insight in analytical and spectroscopic methods to analyse and structurally characterize complex organic molecules

• Insight in advanced models and tools to identify, analyse and translate complexity into a series of key operations enabling the synthesis and construction of complex organic molecules by rational design

• A basic understanding of molecular modelling and computational tools that can be applied to rationalize how complex molecules can be constructed

COURSE CONTENT

To provide the students with state-of-the-art knowledge of interest for the construction of complex organic molecules and architectures. Examples of systems of relevance for advanced catalysis, the material sciences and the life sciences will be discussed and studied in detail. Intimately related to these objectives is the introduction of the students to advanced models required for the planning of complex multi-step syntheses (strategies), the interpretation of experimental data, the elucidation of underlying reaction mechanisms, stereochemical consequences, etc.


ADVANCED PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY

Course code (Osiris) SK-MPC3

Coordinator Dr. B. Erné, (0302532934), [email protected]

Lecturers Dr. B. Erne , Dr. A.V. Petukhov, Prof. dr. W.K. Kegel

Discipline group Physical and Colloid Chemistry

Work load 7.5 EC



Work form Lectures and tutorials

Materials Lecture notes, Reader, Books in loan: Part Colloids: D.H. Everett: Basic Principles of Colloid Science (Royal Soc. of Chemistry, Cambridge, 1994). Part Statistical thermodynamics: B. Widom, Statistical Mechanics - a concise introduction for chemist (Cambridge University Press, 2002

Evaluation Two written tests

Level M (master)

Entry requirements Basic knowledge of physical chemistry: classical thermodynamics (state functions, chemical potential, Gibbs-Duhem, Maxwell relations…), statistical thermodynamics (Boltzmann distribution, thermodynamic ensembles, partition function, Nernst heat theorem), mathematical skills (integration, differentiation), theory of liquids (Van der Waals fluids, regular solutions, interfacial tension, electrical screening in electrolyte solutions).

COURSE AIMS

At the end of the course students will be able to independently study and apply literature on statistical thermodynamics, polymers, colloids, and interfaces.

COURSE CONTENT

The Statistical Thermodynamics module deals with non-ideal gases, liquids, solids, and quantum gasses (Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics). During the Interfaces module, wetting, adsorption, surface-active substances, charged interfaces and experimental methods for studying interfaces, as well as their applications will be discussed. Finally, in the Colloids and Polymers module, Flory-Huggins theory of polymer solutions, colloidal synthesis, Brownian motion, diffusion, sedimentation, interaction between colloidal particles, colloidal stability, and the applications of these concepts will be treated. This course forms a bridge towards other master courses, including “Colloid Science” (SK-MCS)



and “Soft Matter Theory” (NS-T453M).

Note: Students who followed the course SK-BFYC3 are not entitled to follow this master’s course.

CONTACT HOURS

64 hours consisting of 16 sessions of 4 hours (2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of tutorials)


ADVANCED SPECTROSCOPY OF NANOMATERIALS

Course code (Osiris) SK-MASPN

Coordinator Prof. Dr. F.M.F. de Groot (0622736343), [email protected]

Lecturers Prof. Dr. F.M.F. de Groot, Dr. C. De Mello Donega, Dr. F. Meirer

Discipline group Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis, Condensed Matter and Interfaces.

Work load 7.5 EC



Work form Lectures and seminars, exercises and excursion

Materials Reader, Software: CTM4XAS (laptop)

Evaluation Written examinations: Exam Optical spectroscopy 33%, Exam X-ray spectroscopy 50%, Assignments x-ray spectroscopy 17%

Level M (master)

Entry requirements The student should be familiar with spectroscopy, organic and inorganic chemistry, chemistry of condensed matter and quantum chemistry.

COURSE AIMS

After completion of the course, the student should:

• understand group theory in relation to optical and x-ray spectroscopy • understand optical spectroscopy • understand vibrational spectroscopy • understand x-ray spectroscopy experiments • understand x-ray microscopy experiments • be able to decide what spectroscopy could be applied to nanomaterials

COURSE CONTENT

The course aims to provide the student with sufficient background in order to understand spectroscopy from a more fundamental level up to its application to elucidate the intricate chemistry of nanomaterials. This knowledge should enable the student to choose a particular spectroscopic technique for a particular problem and understand the acquired spectroscopic data. Attention will be mainly focused on UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy, vibrational spectroscopy and x- ray spectroscopy combined with microscopy. The examples under study are organic and inorganic molecules, solids and transition metal ions in biological as well as inorganic matrices. The course consists of 40 h of lectures and 32 h of exercises/tutorials. In addition, there is an excursion to a synchrotron radiation



and/or free-electron laser facility planned.

• Subprogram I focuses on group theory and the general principles of optical spectroscopy. Fluorescence and phosphorescence will also be discussed. Examples under study are organic chromophores and transition metal ions.

• Subprogram II deals with vibrational spectroscopy (IR, Raman, EELS) and x-ray spectroscopy, including microscopy.

CONTACT HOURS

72 hours (2 blocks of 2 hours of lectures and tutorials per week)


COLLOID SCIENCE

Course code (Osiris) SK-MCS

Coordinator Prof. Dr. A. Philipse (030-2533518), [email protected]

Lecturers Prof. Dr. A. Philipse. Dr. B. Erné

Discipline group Physical Colloid Chemistry

Work load 7.5 EC



Work form Lectures, exercises, self study, literature study

Materials Lecture notes


Level M (master)

Entry requirements Succesful completion of second year bachelor’s course in Physical Chemistry

COURSE AIMS

After completion of the course students should

• have an adequate knowledge of synthesis methods for and (surface) properties of colloidal dispersions.

• have a thorough understanding of the DLVO theory and other thermo-dynamic aspects of colloidal dispersions including osmosis and depletion effects.

• have an adequate understanding of a variety of colloidal transport phenomena. • be able to apply their fundamental knowledge to comprehend preparation and

properties of real-world colloidal fluids.

COURSE CONTENT

The aim is to provide students with state-of-the art knowledge of colloid science, from a fundamental level up to the wide applications of colloidal dispersions in technology and industry – and in our daily life. The birth of colloids will be addressed via the thermodynamics of nucleation and growth of particles in solution, illustrated with practical examples in the form of colloids composed of silica, iron-oxides, sulfur and noble metals. Methods will be reviewed for chemical surface modifications to disperse colloids in solvents of interest, and for endowing colloids with functionalities in the form of, for example, dyes for confocal microscopy and magnetic labels for magnetic manipulations. Colloidal transport phenomena studied in the course comprise rotational and translational



Brownian motion, sedimentation and colloidal filtration (Darcy’s law), ultra-centrifugation, electrophoresis, flocculation kinetics and dispersion rheology. The DLVO theory of colloidal stability will be treated, including reviews of its various ingredients, namely the Debye-Hückel approximation, the Poisson-Boltzmann equation, van der Waals forces, the Gibbs free energy and the Donnan equilibrium. The theory of osmotic pressure is the stepping stone to the important phenomenon of depletion forces in colloid-polymer mixtures. The fundamentals in this course will be connected to various colloidal systems of real-world importance such as clays, paints, liquid crystals and magnetic fluids.


COMPUTATIONAL QUANTUM MECHANICS

NOT IN 2018-2019.

Course code (Osiris) NS-EX421M

Coordinator Dr. Ir. M.A. van Huis (0302532409), [email protected]

Lecturers Dr. Ir. M.A. van Huis

Discipline group Condensed Condensed Matter & Biophysics

Work load 7.5 EC

Semester 2, period 3 and 4


Work form Lectures, seminars, computer practicum

Materials Book: R.M. Martin, 'Electronic Structure' (Cambridge University Press, 1st Edition). Hardcover (2004) or paperback edition (2008). Software: Vesta Putty WinSCP

Evaluation Written test (50%) and presentation & modelling project (50%)

Level M (master)

Entry requirements The student should have passed an introductory quantum mechanics or quantum chemistry course. Programming skills are not required.

COURSE AIMS

After completion of the course, the student will have:

• a general understanding of the different approaches to quantum mechanical calculations that are used for a variety of materials (molecules, atomic clusters, and solid state materials).

• hands-on experience with performing quantum mechanical calculations by using advanced computer codes to investigate molecular and material properties.

COURSE CONTENT

In this course, an overview will be given of quantum mechanical methods for the calculation of bonding and electronic structure in both molecules and solids. Methods that will be discussed include Hückel/tight binding, Hartree-Fock, density functional theory, and configuration interaction and others. The molecular orbital (LCAO) description of electronic wavefunctions will be applied to molecules and atomic clusters, whereas the plane-wave approach will be used to treat bulk materials, surfaces, and interfaces.

Students will obtain hands-on experience with quantum mechanical calculations as they will have to answer scientific questions using the quantum mechanical code VASP


(https://www.vasp.at/). As the calculations can be time consuming, the students are expected to work on the assignments also outside class hours. To this end, remote access to calculation servers will be provided.

The first part of the course is about the computational theory, which will be examined by means of a written exam (50%). The second part of the course is a computational project (either simulation or coding); half-way this computational project presentations will be given to your fellow students while the computational project will be examined by means of a written report (50%).


https://www.vasp.at/

MODELLING AND SIMULATION

Course code (Osiris) NS-TP432M

Coordinator Prof. Dr. ir. M. Dijkstra, (0302533270), [email protected]

Lecturers Prof. ir. Dr. M. Dijkstra, Dr. L.C. Filion

Discipline group Theoretical Physics, Statistical Physics, Computational Physics, Experimental Physics, Soft Condensed Matter, Condensed Matter and Interfaces, Physical Chemistry and Colloids

Work load 7.5 EC



Work form Lectures, practicals

Materials Books: D.Frenkel and B.Smit, Understanding Molecular Simulation: From Algorithms to Applications, Academic Press;

M.E. J. Newman and G.T. Barkema, Monte Carlo methods in statistical physics, Oxford University Press.

Software: Xming Putty

Evaluation Part 1: Assignments on Monte Carlo simulations (30%). Part 2: Simulation of the Ising model. Programming, performing measurements and writing a report (30%). Part 3: An computer simulation project, to be finished with a short report (40%). Grading based on the reports and assignments with the corresponding weights. re-examination: n.a.

Level M (master)

Entry requirements Elementary programming skills and some statistical physics

COURSE AIMS

After completion of the course, the student:

• has gained insight into the main aspects of modeling and simulation in the context of statistical physics, such as universality, critical exponents, finite-size scaling, thermalization and error estimation

• can write a simulation program for simple models in physics • can use such a simulation program to study the physics properties of these

models; this includes a sensible choice for model parameters such as temperature, box size, and duration / number of iterations

• is familiar with the basics of Monte Carlo methods • can report on computer simulations and the physics results obtained from the

simulations in a scientific document




COURSE CONTENT

An important aspect of physics research is modeling: complex physical systems are simplified through a sequence of controlled approximations to a model that lends itself for computations, either analytic or by computer. In this course, the origin of a number of widely used models will be discussed. Magnetic systems as well as the liquid-gas transition is modelled by the Ising model, polymers are often modelled by random walks, liquid flow is often modelled by lattice Boltzmann gases. Insight into these models can be obtained through a number of ways, one of which is computer simulation. During the course, simulation methods for these models will be discussed in the lectures as well as in computer lab sessions. Prerequisite: Elementary programming skills and some statistical physics.


ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY AND HOMOGENEOUS CATALYSIS

Course code (Osiris) SK-MOCHC

Coordinator Prof. Dr. Bert Klein Gebbink (0302531889), [email protected]

Lecturers prof. dr. R.J.M. Klein Gebbink, dr. B.J. Deelman, , dr. M.E. Moret

Discipline group Organic Chemistry and Catalysis

Work load 7.5 EC



Work form Lectures, problem hours

Materials The Organometallic Chemistry of the Transition Metals, 6th Edition by Robert H. Crabtree (Wiley)


Level M (master)

Entry requirements Bachelor course Catalysis (SK-BKATA) - mandatory Organic Chemistry at bachelor’s level 3 and Inorganic Chemistry at bachelor’s level 2 - strongly advised.

COURSE AIMS

The course offers the student a solid entry into the concepts of organometallic chemistry. At the end of the course, the student will be able to

• have insight in the structure and reactivity of organometallic compounds that contain a transition metal and are able to predict these;

• relate the structure and reactivity of organometallic compounds; • use and include these aspects in reaction mechanisms; • design/recognize/predict general organometallic synthetic routes; • apply these insights in the use of organometallic compounds as homogeneous

catalysts in various organic reactions

COURSE CONTENT

The course will follow the contents of the book by Crabtree and in addition include aspects of industrial homogeneous catalysis and the use of organometallic reagents and catalysts in organic synthesis. Selected topics are:

• Concise Introduction in Coordination Chemistry and Organometallic Chemistry

• General Properties of Organometallic Complexes



https://www.osiris.universiteitutrecht.nl/osistu_ospr/OnderwijsCatalogusZoekCursus.do

• Metal Alkyls, Aryls, and Hydrides • Carbonyl and Phosphine Complexes • Ligand Substitution Reactions • Complexes of p-Bound Ligands • Oxidative Addition and Reductive Elimination • Insertion and Elimination • Nucleophilic and Electrophilic Addition and Abstraction • Homogeneous Catalysis • Metal-Ligand Multiple Bonds • Applications of Organometallic Chemistry (industrial homogeneous catalysis,

organic synthesis) • NMR spectroscopy in organometallic chemistry • Paramagnetic organometallic complexes

CONTACT HOURS

The course comprises of 18 full morning meetings, which consist of 2 hours of lecturing and 2 hours of problem hours each and which includes one practice exam.

Lecturers are available for additional instructions outside class hours upon student request.


SOFT CONDENSED MATTER THEORY

Course code (Osiris) NS-TP453M

Coordinator prof. dr. R.H.H.G. van Roij (0302537579), [email protected]

Lecturers prof. dr. R.H.H.G. van Roij

Discipline group Soft Condensed Matter Theory

Work load 7.5 EC



Work form Lectures, tutorials, assignments

Materials Lecture notes

Evaluation Written exam and homework

Level M (master)

Entry requirements For BSc physics students: Advanced statistical Physics; for BSc Chemistry Students: Advanced Physical Chemistry.

COURSE AIMS

1. has good working knowledge of thermodynamics and classical Gibbs ensembles, can calculate thermodynamic properties of non-ideal gases from the virial expansion and has a basic understanding of pair correlations and the structure factor of gases, liquids, and crystals

2. understands the Ornstein-Zernike equation and its application to hard-sphere fluids, and can calculate macroscopic properties of classical many-body systems from thermodynamic perturbation theory

3. knows concepts and theories of surface tension, adsorption, and capillary waves 4. understands the concept of effective interactions in the osmotic ensemble,

understands the basics of classical density functional theory, and is aware of its relations to the virial expansion and the Ornstein-Zernike equation

5. knows the concepts of electrostatic double layers and ionic screening, and can do calculations within Poisson-Boltzmann and Debye-Hückel theory for charged particles or surfaces in electrolytes

6. knows scaling properties of ideal and self-avoiding polymer chains and can calculate the universal scaling exponents in the semi-dilute regime of polymer solutions

7. has a basic knowledge of the structure and properties of liquid crystalline states of matter, can derive Onsager’s theory for nematic liquid crystals and work with it

8. has basic knowledge of nonequilibrium and hydrodynamic phenomena such as shear flow and electrokinetics




COURSE CONTENT

Soft matter consists of mesoscopic objects such as colloidal particles, polymer chains, or macromolecules, which are often suspended in a liquid medium, often with additional ions. Traditional examples of such systems are blood, mud, hair gel, yoghurt, or paint, but more recent examples include liquid crystals, photonic bandgap materials, DNA in the living cell, and e-ink.The traditional picture of these systems a "dirty chemical soup" is no longer true due to spectacular advances in chemical synthesis and microscopy, resulting in clean and well-defined model systems that can be studied in great detail experimentally. In this course we will discuss the phenomenology of this systems from a theoretical perspective, with a focus on e.g. phase transitions, structure, spontaneous ordering, medium-induced effective interactions, Brownian dynamics. We will develop the theory to interpret, describe and predict physical properties of these systems. A short initial crash-course on classical statistical mechanics (thermodynamic potentials, Legendre transforms, ensembles, partition functions, etc.) will be extended to describe interacting many-body systems (virial expansion, distribution functions, Ornstein-Zernike theory, thermodynamic perturbation theory, van der Waals theory, critical exponents, hard-sphere crystallisation, and density functional theory). Further extensions to describe ionic liquids and colloidal suspensions will be discussed (Debye-Hueckel theory, screening, Poisson-Boltzmann theory, DLVO theory, effective many-body interactions, depletion effect due added polymers, charge renormalization). Also liquid crystals (nematic, smectic, columnar phases, Onsager theory), polymers (random walks, theta collapse, flexibility, persistence length,scaling concepts), interfacial phenomena (adsorption, wetting, surface tension, capillary waves, density profiles, droplets), and (hydro-)dynamic effects (Brownian motion, Langevin equation, dynamic density functional theory) will be covered.

CONTACT HOURS

16 lectures (2 * 45 minutes)

15 to 16 tutorial sessions (4 hours/session)

Total 96 hours


SOLIDS AND SURFACES

Course code (Osiris) SK-MSOLS

Coordinator Prof. Dr. D. Vanmaekelbergh (0302532218), [email protected]

Lecturers Prof. Dr. D. Vanmaekelbergh, Dr. I. Swart

Discipline group Condensed Matter and Interfaces

Work load 7.5 EC



Work form Lectures, tutorials and oral presentation

Materials Reader, handouts


Level M (master)

Entry requirements Basic knowledge of solid state chemistry (e.g. second year bachelor course is necessary). The third-year bachelor course Advanced superstructures: Scattering and Microscopy is also recommended..

COURSE AIMS

On successful completion of the course the student should be able to:

• understand the essential features of the various models; • to explain using the models the physical and chemical properties of solids that rely

on valence electrons either in the bulk or at interfaces (e.g. electrical, optical, optoelectrical properties);

• to explain the relation between fundamental properties and the various applications;

• to read the current literature in this research area.

COURSE CONTENT

• First contact with the methods and language of solid state physics • Basic understanding of the behavior of nearly free electrons in solids • Basic understanding of the properties of metals and semiconductors • Basic understanding of electrons in surfaces and in 2-D systems, such as graphene

Delocalized electrons in solids play an essential role in many important applications, e.g. microelectronics (integrated circuits, memories), optoelectronics (lasers, solar cells), interfacial chemistry (catalysis, colloid chemistry, electrochemistry) and advanced measurement techniques (scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy). In



this course the following themes will be considered:

• the theory of electrons in solids and at surfaces (the Sommerfeld model for free electrons, the almost-free electron model related to the band structure of solids, tight-binding approximations, surface states);

• electrons in 2-D lattices, 2-D band structure, graphene • applications of these systems in LEDs and solar cells

The student is expected to study the lecture notes, preferably in advance of the lecture and to solve the problems during or after tutorial sessions. The course will conclude with a visit to scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy lab of Vanmaekelbergh/Swart.

Note: Students who followed the course SK-BVAOP are not entitled to follow this master’s course.


PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR ENERGY PHYSICS AND TECHNOLOGY (GEO)

Course code (Osiris) GEO4-2513

Coordinator dr. W.G.J.H.M. van Sark (0302537611), [email protected]

Lecturers Dr. W.G.J.H.M. van Sark, A. Louwen, MSc.

Discipline group Energy & Resources

Work load 7.5 EC



Work form Lectures, exercise class

Materials Reader, lecture slides and book: Photovoltaic Solar Energy: From Fundamentals to Applications, by Angèle Reinders, Pierre Verlinden, Wilfried van Sark, Alexandre Freundlich.

Evaluation Attendance required at least 75% of all contact hours. Final result:20% exercise solving task, 30% short midterm paper, 50% final presentation

Level M (master)

Entry requirements Basic knowledge on solid state physics or condensed matter physics

COURSE AIMS

Students will gain knowledge about solar cell physics, technology and applications and will thus be able to better appreciate the rapid developments in photovoltaic solar energy. The course offers insight in solar cell physics and technology by addressing semiconductor physics and operation of basic p-n solar cell devices, as well as frequently used processing methods, preparation and operation of wafer based and thin film solar cells. It also offers new developments in this field focusing on the application of nanotechnology.

COURSE CONTENT

The following topics will be covered:

1. Basic physics of semiconductors 2. Metal-semiconductor interfaces (Schottky barriers and ohmic contacts) 3. p-n junctions (including applications in devices such as solar cells and LEDs) 4. Semiconductor processing (chemical and physical deposition, etching, oxidation) 5. Thin film solar cells, including tandem cells 6. Selected other semiconductor materials and devices and new development


https://www.osiris.universiteitutrecht.nl/osistu_ospr/OnderwijsCatalogusKiesCursus.do


7. Solar cell performance 8. Experience solar cell research in practice by laboratory visit


SYNTHESIS OF HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSTS AND RELATED MATERIALS

Course code (Osiris) SK-MSYNA

Coordinator J Zecevic, PhD (0628834480), [email protected]

Lecturers J Zecevic, PhD, Dr. Peter Ngene,

Discipline group Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis

Work load 7.5 EC



Work form Lectures, tutorials, class room experiments, and literature study

Materials Lecture notes, literature, handouts.

Evaluation Written exam and oral presentations during the course

Level M (master)

Entry requirements Physical Chemistry 2 (SK-BFYCH), Inorganic Chemistry and Solid Surfaces (SK-BANVA)

COURSE AIMS

On completion of the course the student should:

• have knowledge and insight in the synthesis methods of heterogeneous catalysts and related nanostructured materials

• be able to link catalyst synthesis to physico-chemical principles • be able to critically evaluate scientific literature on catalyst synthesis • be able to give a short presentation about recent developments in the field

COURSE CONTENT

In about 90% of the industrial chemical conversions catalysis plays a crucial role. In the definition by Berzelius of two centuries ago, a catalyst is a material that can accelerate a reaction without being involved in the reaction itself. This lecture series will focus on the fundamentals of the synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts and related (e.g. absorption) materials. The first part of the course will deal with the synthesis, structure and characterization methods of some of the most important materials that act as a catalyst support such as alumina, silica and zeolites. In the second part, methods for the synthesis of catalytically active metal nanoparticles on a support will be presented in detail. Since nanometer scale structural features (micro- and mesoporosity of the support, particle size distribution etc.) can have a huge impact on catalyst performance, the lectures will also discuss characterization techniques that can unravel these structures. Examples will be




shown how sometimes small changes in synthesis routes can lead to significant changes in catalyst structure, which can affect catalyst performance.

CONTACT HOURS

48 hours


PHOTON PHYSICS


Coordinator Prof. Dr. P. van der Straten, (0302532846), [email protected]

Lecturers Prof. Dr. P. van der Straten, prof. dr. A.P. Mosk

Discipline group Nanophotonics

Work load 7.5 EC



Work form Lectures, working group, problem-solving sessions, lab tour, presentations on recent papers

Materials Reader

Evaluation Assignment, presentations, papers

Level M (master)

Entry requirements Knowledge of optics, quantum mechanics, solid-state physics

COURSE AIMS

After completion of the course the student

• has in-depth knowledge of the interaction of light with matter on a fundamental level and can apply this knowledge to the most fundamental systems.

• has in-depth knowledge of laser action and techniques and can use this knowledge to select the most appropriate laser system for a specific task/research

• understands applications of lasers in science and technology and can discuss their merits in a physics context.

COURSE CONTENT

Wave properties of light; quantum properties of atoms, spontaneous emission, line width; energy levels and radiative properties of molecules, liquids, and solids: absorption, stimulated emission, Einstein coefficients, detailed balance; laser amplifier: population inversion, threshold, rate equations, optical pumping, particle pumping; laser resonators: cavity modes, stability, Gaussian beams, Q-switching, mode-locking, self-phase modulation; examples of lasers: Ti-sapphire laser, diode laser, fiber laser; nonlinear optics: second harmonic generation, self-focusing, phase matching. Capita selecta: laser cooling, optical lattices, confocal microscopy, ultrafast dynamics of photonic crystals.




PHYSICS OF LIGHT & ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

NOT IN 2017-2018. Below the old information of 2016-2017


Coordinator Dr. Gerhard Blab, [email protected], (030-253 2409),

Lecturers Dr. Gerhard Blab, prof. dr. H.C. Gerritsen, dr. ir. M.A. van Huis and guest lecturers

Discipline group Soft Condensed Matter & Biophysics

Work load 4.5 EC



Work form Lectures and guest lectures, excercises, practical session,

Materials none

Evaluation written exam in the last week of the course; no retake, but option to obtain a sufficient (6) by successfully completing an additional essay (2000 words, approximately 6 pages including references)

Level M (master)

Entry requirements it is assumed that students possess basic knowledge of optics and (light)microscopy at the beginning of the course

COURSE AIMS

After completion of the course, the student is expected to:

• understand the principles of image formation with photons and electrons o light microscopy

the nature of light and its properties as used in light microscopy simple and compound lenses; aberration in imaging systems Fourier Optics, Hygens-Fresnel princple, Fraunhofer diffraction

o electron microscopy physics of imaging with electrons 3D reconstructions using electron tomography analytical electron microscopy: X-ray generation and electron energy

loss spectrometry • understand the limitations and advantages of current microscopy methods • understand the basics of image processing, including its technical and ethical

borders.

COURSE CONTENT

“Topics in Light and Electron Microscopy” consists of two independent master courses of 4.5EC (NS-EX417M) and 3EC (NS-EX419M), respectively, which aim to familiarize



students of natural sciences and life sciences with the theory behind and the application of modern microscopes. The first course, “Physics of Light and Electron Microscopy” will convey the theoretical basis on which modern light and electron microscopy is based, while the second course “Applications of Light and Electron Microscopy” will guide the students in the planning and performing of an experiment, requiring them to acquire and apply theoretical knowledge about a light or electron microscopy technique, and explain their results to their fellow students.


APPLICATION OF LIGHT & ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

NOT IN 2017-2018. Below the old information of 2016-2017

Course code (Osiris)

NS-EX419M

Coordinator Dr. Gerhard Blab, [email protected], (030-253 2409),

Lecturers Dr. Gerhard Blab, prof. dr. H.C. Gerritsen, dr. ir. M.A. van Huis

Discipline group Soft Condensed Matter & Biophysics

Work load 3 EC



Work form tutorials, seminar, project

Materials none

Evaluation report (2500 words; approximately 12 pages including figures and references) by the end of week 5 (60%), presentation of their results to their peers (week 4, 30%), preparation for and professional behaviour during experiments (10%)

Level M (master)

Entry requirements it is assumed that students possess basic knowledge of optics and (light)microscopy at the beginning of the course. due to limited experimental resources, this course has room for at most 20 students; students who actively participate in “Physics of Light and Electron Microscopy (NS-EX-417M) will be given preferred access.

COURSE AIMS

After completion of the course, the student is expected to:

• understand the basic theory behind light or electron microscopy, and the more detailed theory of one chosen technique.

• be able to plan and perform a small experimental study using light and electron microscopes

COURSE CONTENT

“Topics in Light and Electron Microscopy” consists of two independent master courses of 4.5EC (NS-EX417M) and 3EC (NS-EX419M), respectively, which aim to familiarize students of natural sciences and life sciences with the theory behind and the application of modern microscopes. The first course, “Physics of Light and Electron Microscopy” will convey the theoretical basis on which modern light and electron microscopy is based, while the second course “Applications of Light and Electron Microscopy” will guide the students in the planning and performing of an experiment, requiring them to acquire and



apply theoretical knowledge about a light or electron microscopy technique, and explain their results to their fellow students.


TOY MODELS

Course code (Osiris) SK-MTOYM

Coordinator Prof. W.K. Kegel, (0302532873), [email protected]

Lecturers Prof. W.K. Kegel, Prof. H. Stoof, Prof. dr. S.M. Verduyn Lunel

Work load 7.5 EC



Work form Lectures, problem classes, assignment with a presentation

Materials Handouts

Evaluation Presentation, exams

Level M (master)

Entry requirements (statistical) thermodynamics at level 2, basic calculus, linear algebra, differential equations

COURSE AIMS

The aim of this course is to introduce advanced Bachelor students of natural science and life science to some prominent toy models, and provide them with the mathematical and statistical mechanical tools and background that are necessary to ‘play’ with these toys. After this course the master student of natural science and life science:

• is able to perform basic calculations using the most prominent toy models in biology, chemistry and physics

• is able to transform complex problems into the simple mathematical rules that serve as input in these models

• is able to critically read and understand the modern scientific literature on modeling complex behavior in the language of toy models in general

COURSE CONTENT

‘Toy models’ are models that use as input (very) simple rules, and as ‘output’ are able to describe a wide variety of (complex) behavior. In this course, some of the most successful toy models will be treated. These models are able to put complex behavior into perspective in terms of generic underlying rules, and have led (and are still leading) to a deeper understanding in biology, chemistry and physics. Besides that, successful toy models have strong predictive power, and often have significant impact beyond the disciplinary boundaries for which they were originally designed.




In more detail:

1. Introduction to the Ising model and its different macroscopic (stationary) solutions or phases in 1,2,3 dimensions, properties of critical points, scale invariance and renormalization group. Tools: Boltzmann weight, partition function, thermodynamics, macroscopic order parameters, and mean-field theory. (Henk Stoof)

2. The ‘random walk’ and applications in diffusion, polymer statistics and rare events. Tools: basic statistics (Willem Kegel)

3. Random adsorption models. Fundamentals, MWC theory of allosteric interactions, simple genetic repression and activation. Tools: grand ensemble theory; undetermined multiplier method of Lagrange. (Willem Kegel)

4. Topics in differential equations, bifurcations and tipping points, relaxation oscillations (van der Pol equation). Competition between species (Lotka-Volterra), replicator dynamics and evolutionary stable strategies. Tools: qualitative theory of ordinary differential equations, Liapunov theorem and the Poincaré-Bendixon theorem. (Sjoerd Verduyn Lunel)

5. Topics in discrete dynamical systems and cellular automata going from individual dynamics to macroscopic behavior in biological models and artificial life. Tools: attractors, bifurcations, Liapunov exponents, and simulations.(Sjoerd Verduyn Lunel)

Note: Students who followed the course SK-BTOYM are not entitled to follow this master’s course.


3.3. EXTRA CURRICULAR COURSE

Students who like to teach and want to get a short professional training are strongly advised to follow the Teaching Training course (FI-MTT). You will receive one EC on top of your programme and get feedback on your teaching skills. The course broadens your skills and is an asset for future employers. The course starts four times per year. Details for enrolment can be found in section 6.2.


TEACHING ASSISTANT TRAINING

Course code (Osiris) FI-MTT

Coordinator Dr. R.P. Verhoeff, (0302531969), [email protected]

Lecturers Dr. R.P. Verhoeff, R.D.J. Vonk

Work load 1 EC

Semester 1, 2. Starts in each period


Work form practicum, seminar, face-to-face interaction, lectures, case studies

Materials Hand-outs

Evaluation Active participation, exam

Level M (master)


COURSE AIMS

After the training the student is able to:

• analyse a seminar / practicum assignment regarding the desired learning process of the student

• verify in what aspects the student should be supported, taking into account differences between students

• assist the student in such a way that (s)he is aware of the learning approach (metacognition )

• explain a concept or procedure in several ways • activate the student's thought process by actively asking questions • give the student effective feedback on his / her performance • contribute to a productive work climate / environment and appeal to students

behavior if necessary • assess which issues should be discussed with the coordinator • reflect on the experiences, including feedback from students, assistants and co –

coordinator

COURSE CONTENT

This course covers five main tasks of the teaching assistant: preparing the learning process of the student, answering questions, asking activating questions, giving feedback and providing a productive work environment. It is strongly recommended to attend this



course parallel to assisting a course. The course comprises 3 sessions of 2 hours: before the actual assistance starts (week 1), shortly after the start of the course in which the student gives assistance (week 3) and mid-block (Week 5). In every meeting we discuss case studies related to the above main tasks while we pay attention to different forms of education (practicum, seminar, face-to-face interaction). In the first meeting we will exchange experiences and discuss factors that hinder or promote learning. Preparing and evaluating the role of the teaching assisting is central and we will practice conversation methods and how to answer questions. Before the second meeting, the students will supply casuistry, which will be addressed in role plays. Subsequently we will focus on the formulation of learning objectives and providing effective feedback based on theories and videos of counseling practices. This course will be in English on demand of the course group. With active participation you pass the course. If you want to obtain 1 EC for the course an additional assignment must be completed.


3.4. SECONDARY ELECTIVES

3.4.1. SECONDARY ELECTIVE COURSES

There are several options (see Figure 3) to choose for secondary elective courses. It largely depends on your interests whether you want to do an internship or not. As long as you stay within the 120 EC course programme, secondary elective courses can only be taken up to a maximum of 30 EC.

Figure 3. The three secondary elective options

APPROVAL

The basic principle is that you discuss any course that is not provided by your study programme with your programme coordinator or director of education. Courses that are listed as primary electives or in the above described profiles or courses that are offered by other master’s programmes within this Graduate School are already approved. Any courses that will be followed outside Utrecht University must be approved by the Board of Examiners.

The role of the Board of Examiners is to verify the course aims, content and applied assessment methods. They need a form to be filled out by the student. More information about the form for approval of secondary electives is given at the Appendix of this guide.

It is possible to extend your study programme with more than 120 EC if your study pace confines to the normal duration of a two year’s study. The director of education and the Board of Examiners will have to approve any credit that comes above the regular 120 EC programme if you are not an honours student. The only exception is the course FI-MTT.

3.4.2. PROFILES

Many students opt for broadening and choose courses in the field of nanomaterials science, but there are students who already know that they will not pursue a research career and therefore look for more business, communication or educational oriented courses. The graduate school offers one professional profile in the field of Education.

THE EDUCATIONAL PROFILE of 30 EC prepares students for a career as a chemistry teacher in secondary school. The content of this profile depends on the


student if he or she has passed the bachelor’s educational minor. We refer to the following website:

https://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-science/academics/profiles

The COMPLEX SYSTEMS PROFILE of 30 EC is a profile for students interested to broaden their view and knowledge from an interdisciplinary angle on complex societal related phenomena. Students from different faculties will work on modelling solutions within the field of Complex Systems. See:


The APPLIED DATA SCIENCE profile of 30 EC is a multidisciplinary profile for students who are not only interested in broadening their knowledge and expertise within the field of Data Science, but are also eager to apply these capabilities in relevant projects within their research domain. The two mandatory courses provide a thorough introduction to data science, its basic methods, techniques, processes, and the application of data science within a specific domain. The foundations of applied data science include relevant statistical methods, machine learning techniques and programming. Moreover, key aspects and implications of ethics, privacy and law are covered as well. See:


3.4.3. THE INTERNSHIP

The internship is a small research project carried out in a company or a research institute located in the Netherlands or abroad. Experiencing an internship makes it easier to choose for a career in industry or to pursue a PhD position. An internship abroad will even learn you to adapt to and understand other cultures. Therefore we believe that an internship strongly broadens your knowledge in science and shapes your future career, through personal experience.

The internship normally takes 30 EC. The length of 30 EC corresponds to a length of 5 months full time work. Smaller projects of 15 EC are also possible, but most companies are looking for students opting for a longer stay. If holidays are included, the internship can be extended with the weeks that are counting as leave. It is certainly not our aim to validate internships above 30 EC.

The board of this programme has no list of vacancies to provide you with. We consider the search for an internship as your first exercise in applying for a certain position. All our researchers have connections with industry and research institutions worldwide. You could easily approach them first. When companies send their vacancies to the university, we will forward their information to you. You could also search by yourself or use the faculty’s database for internships (stagedatabank). This database could provide you with persons and companies to get in touch with, see:



http://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/academics/internships).

The Science International Office (address given at section 6.2) provides you with information about Erasmus Scholarships. If you are a foreign student and intend to go abroad, you need to comply with certain rules concerning your residence permit: i.e. your grade can only be validated if you are residing in the Netherlands. Do not change your official Dutch domicile to a location abroad during your studies without knowing its consequences. For more information, go to the Science International Office.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF AN INTERNSHIP?

The answer is rather simple: there is in fact not much difference with the research project as you will also conduct research at master’s level. An important difference is the industrial or international environment. We also expect you to write an internship report which follows the structure of a research report, although it will be smaller in size as there are less credits and time allocated to it.

You will be guided by a supervisor of the host company. It is again very important for the pace of the internship to have good and adequate guidance. From a distance, you will also be guided by an Utrecht University supervisor who will approve the content and level of the internship and is fully responsible for the quality of the internship. He or she will grade your internship based on the input received from the host supervisor. The UU supervisor, who is not involved in the daily work, must have access to your report and grade it. Preferably, you invite him/her for the presentation of your internship. It is also possible to hold two presentations if you are abroad: at your host institution and at the lab of your Utrecht supervisor upon your return to Utrecht.

APPLICATION PROCESS

This is exactly the same as for the research project (see section 4). You can use the same Application Form and put the appropriate credits on it.

ASSESSMENT PROCESS

The same form as for the research project (see section 4) can be used although you do not need a second Utrecht examiner for projects not larger than 30 EC. The assessment criteria for a 30 EC internship are the following:

• Work: 15 EC or 50% • Presentation skills: 5 EC or 17% • Written report: 10 EC or 33%

Your supervisors will need to fill out the Assessment Form by using the three Rubric forms and you will have to upload your internship at Igitur. Before publication in Igitur, the report should be checked in Ephorus.


http://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/academics/internships

http://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/academics/internships

WORK PLACEMENT CONTRACT

Very often we see companies using their own contracts instead of the Graduate School of Natural Science work placement contract. It is possible that, although everything has been settled and arranged, we will not accept the company’s contract and its requirements if we see risks on claims, even years after you have already been graduated. We carefully advise you to contact the Faculty's research project coordinator Ms. Iris Caris (contact details given in section 7.2) to read all the document that the company is asking you to sign.

OWNERSHIP OF THE WORK

By default, the university is owner of all intellectual property (IPR). However, companies will not always agree with this conditions. In that case, you simply remove sentences referring to Utrecht’s ownership from your Application form.

NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS (NDA)

In many cases, companies are working on new techniques/methods and are developing new materials. This information is confidential and you will have to comply with it. Your Utrecht supervisor needs to grade your written work. A solution to share confidential information is to have the company draft a NDA document signed by those persons who agree to comply with the company’s rules about confidentiality.

INTERNSHIP REPORT

The internship report will be published in Igitur and should be complemented by an Ephorus check. Publication under embargo is an option. When confidentiality is an issue, a second version of the report needs to be written excluding the confidential information prior to publication (under embargo) at Igitur. The report is a deliverable of a 30 EC course and is needed for external accreditation procedures.


4. RESEARCH PROJECT AND THESIS

4.1. INTRODUCTION

The research project is a mandatory project that most students start a few weeks after their arrival in the programme. However, we suggest students who did not perform their bachelor study at Utrecht to first draw their attention to course work. Many students from abroad are not used to our teaching and assessment methods, nor expectations of our teachers. A bit more time to adapt to our way of teaching and learning may be necessary in the beginning.

We expect students to follow their own interest towards a research topic. This means that you have to make your own appointments with one or more research coordinators. Their names are given in this guide, more specifically in section 5. You can get a lot of information on the actual research topics by reading the sites of the research groups on the website of the Debye Institute of Nanomaterials Science:

http://www.uu.nl/en/research/debye-institute-for-nanomaterials-science

Each research group has requirements concerning the theoretical background of students needed to perform experiments or even develop new methodologies or theories. The mandatory and primary elective courses are designed for this purpose, giving you a broad and deep understanding of actual subjects and allowing you to get the typical Utrecht helicopter view as a scientist. Very often, these particular courses will be taught after the start of your research project. The combination of learning theory and performing your experiments at the same time will enhance your learning and works well in our field of science.

During your master’s introduction day and your stay in the research lab, you will be introduced to what researchers expect from you. You will learn how to comply to the specific rules of each group. You are also expected to adher to the general principles of proper scientific behaviour which are stated in The Dutch code of Scientific Integrity. We strongly advise you to carefully read this document: http://www.uu.nl/en/research/research-at-utrecht-university/quality-and-integrity/academic-integrity As of the academic year 2016-2017, students get training in scientific integrity, on the one hand by the Graduate School of Natural Sciences (FI-MHPSDIL) and on the other hand by the department of chemistry and part of the Academic Context Course (SK-MACCO).

Although you have a lot of freedom in making your own choices, we take care that your individual study programme fulfils the learning outcomes of your degree and is manageable within the timeframe of a two year’s study.

The role of the board of examiners is crucial. They will check the content and the level of your research project as well as of that of the internship. Research by its



http://www.uu.nl/en/research/research-at-utrecht-university/quality-and-integrity/academic-integrity

http://www.uu.nl/en/research/research-at-utrecht-university/quality-and-integrity/academic-integrity

own nature has fairly no restraints in time. You could in principle continue endlessly and investigate your research topic and look at every side path or even continue a new research topic that finds its roots in one of these side paths. However, it is not the purpose of our degree to keep you going on as a master’s student.

After two years of study, you should be qualified to start a PhD project where you get more time to go into depth. The board of examiners will also check the duration of your project and whether the project is defined in such a way that you will be able to write a thesis based on your results. To avoid any unnecessary extension of study time, a delay protocol has been developed with a ending date to be adhered to, see:

http://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/practical-information/academic-policies-and-procedures

To help you finish your research project within the specified time length, you will be guided on a daily basis. This person can be the project supervisor him/herself (in most cases the professor), but in many cases it will be a PhD candidate.

4.2. THE APPLICATION PROCESS

You start your research project with filling out the Application Form downloadable from:

http://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/academics/study-programme)

All information needed to guide you during the research project, will be written down by your (daily) supervisor in the application form. Thereafter it needs to be approved by the Board of Examiners. This form states the content of your research project, starting and ending date, holidays, absence of your supervisor, courses to be taken during the project, and assessment criteria. The same procedure applies for the internship project (30 EC) in a company or in another research institute in or outside the Netherlands. When the Board of Examiners disapproves your Research or Internship Application, you will be noticed about it. This should be a very exceptional case as your supervisor and master’s coordinator have already checked this form.

This form needs four signatures: one from you, your supervisor, the programme coordinator and the Board of Examiners. You hand in the application form, once the signature of the programme coordinator and your supervisor have been added to your own, to the Natural Science Student Affairs desk (Buys Ballot Building, room 183). They will send this form to the Board of Examiners for the final signature, send a copy back to you and add it in OSIRIS. The original version will be stored by Student Affairs.

4.3. THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS

You will receive your first assessment after one third of the length of the project with a pass or a fail. The evaluation with a credit load of 15 EC will be based on your work and a presentation. You will also discuss your own functioning with your daily




http://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/academics/study-programme


supervisor and first examiner using your own self-reflection report. Details about this self-reflection can be found in the Guidelines for Nanomaterials Science document at:

https://students.uu.nl/en/science/guidelines-master-programmes-gsns

When you fail for part 1, the director of education and the programme coordinator will examine the reasons behind the grade given. After having heard the student and the supervisor(s), a decision will be taken to restart another research project or to help the student in finding another study if needed.

When you are about to finish your research project, your assessment needs to be officially documented in a form explaining why and how your grade was obtained. This form includes the assessment criteria, the awarded grades per criteria, the final grade, and a written feedback on your work. The completed research project will be officially assessed by two academics: the supervisor and a second independent person. Both persons are appointed as examiners. If the daily supervisor is a PhD candidate, she/he cannot officially assess the student, although she/he will provide the examiners necessary input. The supervisor will send a completed form to Student Affairs (Buys Ballot Building, room 183). You will receive a message (including instructions) from Student Affairs that your grade will be registered if you have uploaded your final thesis to Igitur and included an Ephorus check and laymen summary.

At the end of your research project, you will receive a final grade. How you will be graded is known from the start of your research project in order to make the grading transparent from the beginning. Your first examiner will hand in the final grade to Student Affairs and will write a personal note to explain on what basis he or she gave you the final grade. This is in fact a personal view of how your supervisor sees you functioning as a junior scientist. All this information will be written in an Assessment form, downloadable from: http://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/academics/study-programme

The assessment of an MSc research project of 52,5 EC is thus divided in two parts:

PART 1. SK-MRES1: INTRODUCTION AND START OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT: 15 EC

Students will be assessed on the basis of the work performed including a presentation and a self-reflection report written by the student him/herself. A pass or a fail will be attributed for part 1.

PART 2. SK-MRES2: RESEARCH AND THESIS: 37,5 EC

• Practical and theoretical work: 60% • MSc Thesis on research: 30% • Oral presentation on research: 10%




These assessment criteria will be slightly adapted as of september 2017. The final mark will be a weighted average of the different marks obtained for the separate subjects (minimum of each of the separate marks is 6.0).

To assess each criteria properly, examiners should make use of rubrics. There are three rubric forms developed for the research work, the thesis/research report and the presentation.


5. RESEARCH GROUP PROFILES OF THE DEBYE INSTITUTE OF NANOMATERIALS SCIENCE


5.1. CONDENSED MATTER AND INTERFACES (CMI)

The research of the group, headed by Prof. A. Meijerink, Prof. D. Vanmaekelbergh, Dr. C. de Mello Donega, Dr. I. Swart, is focussed on atomic and low-dimensional quantum systems: lanthanide ions in host lattices, colloidal semiconductor quantum dots, quantum rods, quantum wells, graphene-nanostructures, and nanogeometric superlattices, e.g honeycomb semi-conductors. Our mission is to control and

manipulate the electronic structure and opto-electronic properties of these systems by chemistry and geometry. Besides advanced synthesis and nanocrystal self-assembly, we perform optical and electrical spectroscopy on the ensemble and single-molecule (single-dot) level. Our systems show potential for application in LEDs and Lasers, light detectors, solar cells, biological labels, sensors, and quantum computing.

Synthesis: We have an extended chemical lab including glove-boxes, Schlenk-lines and ovens. We synthesize and study II-VI, III-V, IV-VI semiconductor compounds (e.g. CdSe, InP, PbSe), CuInSe2-type compounds, MPbX3 perovskites, and 2-D molecular systems, such as graphene. In addition, we form extended nanostructured systems by colloidal nanocrystal assembly. The nanoscale and atomic structure of these systems is characterised by advanced TEM, elemental analysis, and scattering techniques in Utrecht and elsewhere.

Electrical spectroscopy: The atomic structure of single molecules, graphene nanostructures and low dimensional semiconductors is measured with scanning tunnelling microscopy and force microscopy, while on the same time the local energy level structure is measured with scanning tunnelling spectroscopy, allowing to relate the atomic configuration to the electronic structure. For this, several ultra-high vacuum cryogenic tunnelling microscopes are available. The electronic transport characteristics of these systems are measured in the transistor geometry with electrolyte gating.

Optical spectroscopy: The group has apparatus to measure the absorption, photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation of the prepared systems, both in the UV-Visible and near-IR. We perform ensemble measurements and measurements on the single-molecule level, the latter using a very sensitive detector based on superconducting leads. We also work together with several other groups in the Debye Institute.


https://www.uu.nl/en/research/condensed-matter-interfaces

COLLABORATIONS AND INTERNSHIPS

There is extensive collaboration between the CMI group and the other groups in the Debye Institute. On the national and international level we collaborate with AMOLF, the High Magnet Lab. Nijmegen, EMAT Antwerp, University of Gent, IEMN-ISEN (Lille), ETH-Zurich and the university of Seattle.

The CMI group is subsidized by the European Research Council, European Institutions (Marie Curie Actions), and FOM, NWO-CW, and STW on the national level.

REQUIREMENTS

Students wishing to do their thesis research in this group are expected to pass at least one of the following master courses:

• Solids and Surfaces • Advanced Spectroscopy of Nanomaterials • Photon Physics

FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT

Prof. A. Meijerink (tel. 31 30 2532202, e-mail; [email protected]); or consult our website: http://www.chem.uu.nl/cmi


5.2. INORGANIC CHEMISTRY AND CATALYSIS (ICC)

The group of Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis is led by prof. Krijn de Jong, prof. Bert Weckhuysen, prof. Frank de Groot, and prof. Petra de Jongh. Other scientific staff members include Prof. dr. Eelco Vogt, Dr. Pieter Bruijnincx, dr. Rosa Bulo, dr. Florian Meirer, dr. Peter Ngene, dr. Jovana Zecevic, dr. Gareth Whiting, Dr. Freddy Rabouw (joint appointment with Soft Condensed Matter), and dr. Baira Donoeva. The basic challenge is

to establish the relationship between the structure and performance of catalysts and related materials.

To achieve this, we work on 1) the design and controlled synthesis of catalyst and energy materials, 2) testing the materials in various conversion processes, 3) the characterization of complex catalyst materials using advanced spectroscopic and microscopic techniques and 4) the development of theoretical models for catalysis and spectroscopy. The conversions studied range from Fischer-Tropsch type reactions, typical petrochemical conversions such as Fluid Catalytic Cracking or propane dehydrogenation, methanol synthesis, biomass conversion to valuable chemicals, solar fuels, reversible gas storage, battery materials and many more. The topics are mostly inorganic in nature, but range from theory and spectroscopy, via physical chemistry and materials science to those that are at the interface of inorganic and organic chemistry.

The research of prof. De Jong focuses on the synthesis and assembly of solid catalysts and sorbents aiming to control the composition, the structure and the location of the active phases of the materials in three dimensions. The materials under study are, supported metal nanoparticles, zeolites, carbon nanofibers, layered solid acids and bases and mesoporous materials. Processes under study include isomerisation reactions of alkanes and alkenes, hydrogenation of aromatics, aldol condensation, selective hydrogenation for fine chemicals, synthesis gas conversion to fuels and chemicals. De Jong together with Zecevic is also particularly interested in the development of advanced electron microscopy techniques such as three-dimensional transmission electron microscopy (3D-TEM) and liquid phase TEM.

Prof. De Jongh investigates nanostructured materials (often metallic or semiconductor nanoparticles confined in mesoporous supports) for applications in catalysis and energy conversion and storage. Processes under study include selective oxidation and hydrogenation catalysis and the conversion of synthesis gas (CO/CO2 and H2) into fuels and chemicals. 3D model catalysts are used to gain insight in the impact of particle size, composition and interfaces on the functionality of these materials. A main research line is concerned with understanding catalyst


https://www.uu.nl/en/research/inorganic-chemistry-catalysis

stability. De Jongh together with Ngene also focuses on materials for sustainable energy storage and conversion, such as for batteries, reversible gas storage, and solar fuels. Several projects concern the interaction of materials with light, and run in collaboration with other groups within the Debye. Donoeva focuses on selective oxidation reactions, and using colloidal techniques to prepare supported metal catalysts

The research of prof. Weckhuysen aims to understand the working principles of catalytic materials. This implies gaining knowledge on the nature of an active site and the reaction mechanism in order to discover ways to improve a catalytic material. Together with Meirer and Whiting, advanced spectroscopic in-situ techniques, such as fluorescence, Raman, infrared, UV-Vis, AFM and synchrotron X-ray microspectroscopy, are being developed and applied to study the catalyst material under real reaction conditions. The catalysts range from various metal oxides to noble metals, supported on high surface micro and mesoporous materials, such as zeolites. Current processes under study are Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, selective oxidation and dehydrogenation reactions, amongst others. In addition, new heterogeneous (photo)catalysts for the production of solar fuels are being developed and advanced spectroscopic techniques applied to such reactions. Weckhuysen and Bruijnincx furthermore study the development of new catalysts and conversion routes for the valorization of biomass (e.g. lignin, sugars, oils, glycerol, etc) to chemicals and fuels. To this extent, liquid phase in situ spectroscopic techniques are being developed and applied. Bruijnincx is also interested in developing new catalysis concepts at the interface of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis. Bulo works on the development of new computational techniques for multi-scale (QM/MM) molecular dynamics simulations of chemical reactions in (aqueous) solution to improve the catalytic processes involved in the conversion of biomass molecules to useful chemicals.

Prof. Vogt is interested in refinery catalysis, hydroprocessing and fluid catalytic cracking, in particular.

The research of prof. de Groot focuses on the use of high brilliance X-rays to characterize catalysts in order to reveal their electronic structure. This information will be related to their performance in order to establish structure-performance relationships. In addition, research is carried out on the development of new X-ray experiments, including X-ray spectromicroscopy on working catalysts and resonant X-ray emission experiments. The experimental data is complemented with theoretical calculations, including research on the CTM4XAS code and its applications to (catalytic) materials.


Many of the projects in our group are part of international collaborations and/or involve industrial partners, such as Shell, Dow, BASF, AkzoNobel, Clariant, BP, Total, Croda and Avantium. The group facilitates traineeships in chemical industry, Dutch governmental organizations and foreign universities, based on intensive contacts


with researchers from national and international companies and universities. If you have a specific scientific topic in the field of catalysis in mind, we will do our best to find the right project or internship for you.

REQUIREMENTS

Depending on the research topic chosen, we recommend that you take either Synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts and related materials or Advanced Spectroscopy of Nanomaterials as primary elective.


Dr. P. Bruijnincx (+31 6 22736354), [email protected];

or consult our website: http://www.inorganic-chemistry-and-catalysis.eu/



http://www.inorganic-chemistry-and-catalysis.eu/

5.3. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY AND CATALYSIS (OCC)

For master students within the Nanomaterials: Chemistry & Physics programme, the Organic Chemistry and Catalysis (OCC) group offers the opportunity to take part in a specialized research project in the fields of organic and organometallic chemistry, and homogeneous catalysis. The group offers a stimulating and dynamic research environment at the forefront of

chemical sciences and chemical synthesis in particular, in an internationally oriented research team.

The synthesis of new organic compounds with interesting physical, biological, or pharmaceutical properties remains as a challenge for the chemist. Recent and ongoing developments specifically ask for ‘clean’ and efficient synthesis protocols to be developed for current and future applications. Catalysis plays an important role in the development of such ‘clean’ synthetic protocols.

Homogeneous catalysis makes use of the unique possibilities offered by transition metal ions, once surrounded by the appropriate ligands, to activate and coordinate reactions between organic molecules. The OCC research group is actively involved with various aspects of homogeneous catalysis. New organometallic and coordination complexes are designed and synthesized in search of new catalytic properties in, e.g., oxidation catalysis or in the catalytic conversion of biomass. In the design of new catalysts and new catalytic procedures the active sites of metallo-enzymes play an important inspirational role. In addition, new concepts in ligand design are pursued, e.g. through the development of cooperative ligands and the design of ligands based on less traditional donor atoms like Si.

Ongoing research themes:

• New organometallic catalysts derived from first-row transition metals like Fe and Ni

• Catalytic biomass conversion towards chemical building blocks

• The development of cooperative ligands that are actively involved in catalysis together with a metal center

• Bioinorganic chemistry: synthetic models for metallo-enzymes and oxidation catalysts based on these models

The OCC group hosts most of the required instrumentation and equipment for its research within its own laboratories. The group hosts extensive facilities for the synthesis and handling of reactive organometallic compounds, as well as for their


https://www.uu.nl/en/research/organic-chemistry-catalysis

characterization. For the characterization of (paramagnetic) organometallic complexes and their application in catalysis commonly used techniques include (multi-nuclear) NMR, ESI-MS, EPR, UV/Vis, IR, GC, GC/MS, and HPLC. For single crystal X-ray crystallography a close collaboration exists with the Crystal & Structural Chemistry group of the Bijvoet Institute. Whereas most research projects are largely comprised of synthetic experimental work, quantum-mechanical calculations are often used in both the design and interpretation parts of the projects.


Coordinator: dr. J.T.B.H. Jastrzebski

Teachers: dr. J.T.B.H. Jastrzebski, dr. M.-E. Moret, prof. dr. L.W. Jenneskens, prof. dr. R.J.M. Klein Gebbink

Students carry out a research project under the supervision of one of the PhD students or postdocs of the group. They learn to apply the techniques that are required to make and handle organometallic compounds and organic reagents in a safe manner. Depending on the topic of the project, the student will investigate synthetic aspects of the development of ligands and (often air-sensitive) organometallic transition metal complexes, and investigate the use of such metal complexes in catalysis, which may amongst other include kinetic analysis and substrate scope studies. Identification and characterization of new ligands and complexes is carried by the students themselves and may include a multitude of different spectroscopic and physico-chemical techniques.

REQUIREMENTS

Recommended bachelor courses: Organic Chemistry (BSc, year 2:SK-BORCH and 3:SK-BORC3); Catalysis (BSc, year 3; SK-BKATA);

Recommended Mandatory and primary elective courses: Advanced Organic Synthesis (SK-MOSS); Organometallic Chemistry and Homogeneous Catalysis (SK-MOCHC).


Dr. J.T.B.H. Jastrzebski (+31 30 253 1695), [email protected];

or consult the website: http://www.uu.nl/science/occ



http://www.uu.nl/science/occ

5.4. PHYSICAL AND COLLOID CHEMISTRY (FCC)

The main research theme of the Physical and Colloid Chemistry Group is the self-organization of colloids and nanoparticles. In particular we are interested in the structure and formation dynamics of (liquid) crystals and magnetic colloids, and random packings of colloidal spheres, rods, and plates as well as particles with more complex shapes and interactions. The last category is a relatively

recent line of research and those type of particles are good model systems for biological structures such as viruses. Our research can roughly be divided into three parts.

1. Development of new model systems (which includes chemical synthesis); recent examples include colloidal cubes, particles with attractive patches, deformable particles, and magnetic dipolar spheres. This part also includes particle surface functionalization with polymers or organic molecules of interest, providing interesting openings for more synthetic chemistry oriented students

2. Study of the structure and dynamics of dispersions of colloids or nanoparticles by optical (confocal) and cryogenic electron microscopy, by scattering of X-rays, neutrons and light, or by analytical ultracentrifugation, membrane osmometry and magnetization measurements. This part comprises advanced techniques, including home-made set-ups such as the charge sensor, that will appeal to students with a more physics oriented interest.

3. Development of theoretical models. Theory is an important part of almost all the projects in our group, and is not limited to colloids. For students, who (also) would like to persue theoretical modelling, we usually have a few purely theoretical (student) projects running. Recent examples are the properties of random packings, thermodynamics of magnetic colloids and charged interfaces, the stability of virus shells, and the statistical mechanics of genetic regulation.


There are several collaborations with industry (DSM, AKZO, Shell, OCE) as well as universities abroad (Edinburgh, Lund, New York, Paris, just to name a few) in which students may participate.

REQUIREMENTS

The student has to pass the Colloid Science course (SK-MCS).


https://www.uu.nl/en/research/physical-colloid-chemistry


Prof. Willem K. Kegel

Prof. Albert P. Philipse

Van 't Hoff Laboratory for Physical and Colloid Chemistry,

Debye Institute,

Utrecht University,

Padualaan 8,

3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands

Phone: (+) 31 30 2532873/2391

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]




5.5. SOFT CONDENSED MATTER AND BIOPHYSICS (SCM&B)

The Biophysics section of the SCM&B programme is active in the fields of fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy. Novel fluorescence microscopy techniques are developed for state-of-the-art (bio)physical research at the microscopic level. Fluorescence spectroscopy is an essential part of the research activities.

One of the main challenges in microscopy is to obtain detailed, quantitative information at the microscopic level. To this end we combine fluorescence spectroscopy based methods with microscopy. For instance, we employ the (nano second) fluorescence decay time of fluorescent molecules for imaging. Here, the fluorescent molecules are excited with a short laser pulse after which the intensity decay of the emission is followed in time. This technique turns out to be extremely valuable for the study of interactions between molecules. We used this technique to image interactions between membrane proteins. However, this technique can also be employed to study the photo physics of luminescent nano-particles such as quantum dots at the single particle level. Another example of our work is the use of the polarization properties of fluorescence in microscopy. Here, the fluorescent molecules are excited with polarized light and the depolarization of the fluorescence is measured for each pixel in the microscope image. This depolarization is strongly affected by clustering of molecules and it can be used to quantify cluster sizes of fluorescent molecules.

A part of the research of the group deals with the use of non-linear effects in microscopy. An important example of non-linear microscopy is two-photon excitation microscopy. Here, the fluorescent molecules are excited by the simultaneous absorption of two photons, each with approximately half of the energy required to excite the molecule. This process has only a very low probability and depends quadratically on the excitation intensity. This type of microscopy is usually carried out with intense near-infrared laser pulses. The advantage of two-photon excitation microscopy is that 3-D images can be recorded (comparatively) deep inside specimens, including living animals.

Examples of applications that we are working on include the image of pH in biofilm, live cell imaging, imaging of protein-protein interaction and the imaging of processes in (model) membranes. In addition we work on the imaging of semiconductor nano crystals (quantum dots) and nano tubes. Most of the projects are carried out in collaboration with biological, chemical and physical groups.

More information can be found at: http://www1.phys.uu.nl/wwwmbf/


https://www.uu.nl/en/research/soft-condensed-matter-biophysics

http://www1.phys.uu.nl/wwwmbf/

Research of the Soft Condensed Matter section of the SCM&B programme focuses on the quantitative 3D real-space analysis and manipulation of colloidal structures and processes. Colloidal particles are suspended in a liquid and have sizes ranging from several nm to several µm and can consist of macromolecules or particles built up from much smaller units. The size range of a colloid is such that in the theoretical description of its behaviour the liquid can be considered a continuum, while particles perform Brownian motion. This erratic motion results from the continuous bombardment by individual solvent molecules. The Brownian motion ensures that colloidal particles have a well defined thermodynamic temperature and thus can lower their free energy by forming analogous phases as molecules, such as: colloidal liquids and crystals. Our motivation in studying and developing these systems comes both from the use of colloids as a condensed matter model system, and from their use in advanced materials applications like photonic crystals and electro-rheological fluids. In addition we perform computer simulations on soft condensed matter systems.

Our approach is illustrated in the following figure showing a 3D data set taken with a confocal microscope (left). The positions of the colloidal particles in this crystal can be determined quantitatively (middle) making direct comparisons with simulations and theory possible. The particles were made and developed in our group and consist of silica spheres with fluorescent groups chemically incorporated inside the particle core. The colloidal crystal has such a large lattice constant that Bragg diffraction takes place in the visible (right). Also as a consequence of the size of the colloids the crystals are very soft (“soft condensed matter”), but can be sintered to make more robust photonic crystals (right).

Image of single Quantum Dots Two photon excitation Image of cells in a living mouse.



We have close collaborations with the FOM Institute for Atomic and Molecular and Physics (AMOLF) in Amsterdam, the Van ‘t Hoff Laboratory for Physical and Colloid Science (Debye Institute) and theorists in the Institute for Theoretical Physics (UU). Combined projects with these groups covering combinations of experiments with synthesis of particles, computer simulations and theory are possible. More information and possible projects can be found at: www.colloid.nl.

REQUIREMENTS

A MSc research project of 60 EC within the group of Soft Condensed Matter is divided in the following way:

• experimental or simulation work including literature study 80% • writing MSc thesis on research 10% • oral presentation on research 5% • weekly work discussions and seminars 5%

The final mark will be the average of the different marks obtained on (i) experimental work, (ii) theory relating to experiment, (iii) initiative and organizational skills, and (iv) presentation of results orally and in writing.

It is recommended (but not required) to take the primary elective course on Soft Condensed Matter. Also, a background in thermal physics / thermodynamics is recommended.


Prof. H.C. Gerritsen (+31 30 2532824, [email protected])

Prof. A. van Blaaderen (+31 30 2532204, [email protected])


http://www.colloid.nl/



6. HONOURS PROGRAMMES

There are two different Honours Programmes within the Master Nanomaterials Science that can be choosen i.e:

• The Debye Honours programme (135EC) • The Double Degree Honours Programme (160EC)

In the following two paragraphs these programmes are presented.

6.1. THE DEBYE HONOURS PROGRAMME

The DEBYE HONOURS PROGRAMME is open to students who start the MSc programme with an excellent track record and who are interested in research at the forefront of nanoscience. The student can bring in his/her own ideas before the research project starts. Extra supervision will be provided to enable the honours student to write a PhD research plan, or to write a research paper based on the MSc research project.


SELECTION

The applicant should satisfy the admission criteria for the master’s programme Nanomaterials Science. Moreover, the application will be reviewed by a selection-committee, consisting of representatives of the Debye Institute of Nanomaterials Science. The selection committee will base its final decision on previous study results (top 10-20% of the BSc population), master results (grade average of the obtained results is minimal 8) of the first term, motivation and the CV of the applicant. In case that the student meets all these mentioned selection criteria, the conditional admission to this programme will lead to a definite admission at the latest in February following the September start and July for students entering the programme in February.

CONTENTS

MANDATORY COURSE

Academic Context Course (SK-MACCO): 6,5 EC

Introducing natural sciences (GSNS-INTRO):0,5 EC

Dilemmas of the scientist (FI-MHPSDIL): 0,5 EC

Adsorption, Kinetics and Catalysis (SK-MAKC): 7,5 EC

PRIMARY ELECTIVES

Honours students take three courses (each 7,5 credits) from the Debye list of primary courses which is given in Table 1. The marks for these courses should reflect that the honours students indeed belong to the top 10-20% of their year. Furthermore, for honours students at least two courses from Faculty of Physics or Geo Sciences are needed (see Table 1). These label prerequisites can also be obtained by choosing secondary courses.

SECONDARY ELECTIVES

Honours students are expected to take another course of 7,5 EC in addition to the primary courses. This course is meant to fulfill the label requirements or can be chosen from other master’s programmes from Utrecht University or another university following the same criteria mentioned as for the internship. Permission could be granted to the honours student when particular courses are needed that are not provided by the predefined course list. The director of education will evaluate the student’s written motivation to choose for other courses.

Going abroad is highly stimulated. Honours students are therefore expected to do an internship of 30 EC in highly ranked research groups outside of Utrecht University. Alternatively the internship might be performed at an outstanding research laboratory of a multinational such as Philips, Shell, DSM, BASF.


The internship can only be started after the course work and the research project of 52,5 EC have been finished. The internship can also be used with the intention to start a PhD project in the Netherlands or abroad. The internship topic cannot coincide with the research project.

RESEARCH PART

The research part of 60 EC is split into the following courses:

Part 1: SK-MRES1 15 EC Introduction to research and initiating the research project

Part 2: SK-MRES2H including:

a research paper and/or PhD proposal

37,5 EC

7,5 EC

Research project and thesis

Successfully completing Part 1 is a mandatory prerequisite to continue with Part 2. Both parts are content wise dealing with the same subject, and supervised by the same persons.

The research is done at one of the research groups of the Debye Institute including those belonging to the physics department (i.e. Soft Condensed Matter and Biophysics group) or, with the permission of the director of education, in a closely related research lab, provided that a staff member of the Debye Institute is willing to act as the primary responsible supervisor. The student may start with his/her research project before the completion of the mandatory course and the primary elective courses with the permission of his/her supervisor. Research group specific requirements including the choice of certain primary elective courses, or other activities, are noted on the Research Project Application Form before the start of the project.

52,5 EC of the research will be devoted to a research project including the master’s thesis, as in the regular programme. However to obtain the honours degree the student will additionally be involved in one of the two following options:

• 7,5 EC will be spent on writing a PhD proposal of a topic to be freely chosen by the honours student. Supervision and coaching will be provided by two senior staff members who should be from different groups. Interdisciplinarity can also be established in a joint proposal with a supervisor from another Dutch university or research group, however the main supervisor should be located at Utrecht University. This proposal is eligible to compete in the Debye Graduate Programme.

• Alternatively 7,5 EC can be spent on writing a research paper as a first author for an international peer-reviewed journal using the results of the master research project or the internship project that should be ready up to the level of submission. Supervision and coaching will be provided to guide the student through this process.


Active participation in a conference/symposium will be encouraged if conference dates correspond to the period in which the research project is performed and the results are ready to be presented.

6.2. THE DOUBLE DEGREE HONOURS PROGRAMME

ADMISSION CRITERIA

The applicant should satisfy the admissions criteria for both the master’s programmes Nanomaterials Science and Experimental Physics. Moreover, the application will be reviewed by a selection committee, consisting of representatives of the two master’s programmes. The selection committee will base its decision on previous study results, motivation and the CV of the applicant.

Typically, an applicant will have completed a bachelor’s degree in Physics and/or in Chemistry, both with high grades. Two degrees in Chemical Sciences and in Physics will be awarded after successfully having finished this honours programme.

CONTENTS

This DOUBLE DEGREE HONOURS PROGRAMME is built upon the following parts.

Mandatory Nanomaterials courses 15 EC

Mandatory Experimental Physics courses 22.5 EC

Primary electives Nanomaterials Science 30 EC

Primary electives Experimental Physics 22.5 EC

Internship 30 EC

Thesis 60 EC

Total 180 EC

MANDATORY NANOMATERIALS SCIENCE COURSES

Academic Context Course (SK-MACCO) 6.5 EC

Introducing natural sciences (GSNS-INTRO) 0.5 EC

Dilemmas of the scientist (FI-MHPSDIL) 0.5 EC

Adsorption Kinetics and Catalysis (SK-MAKC) 7.5 EC

PRIMARY ELECTIVES NANOMATERIALS SCIENCE

See Table 1 for a list of courses, but note that those from Department of Physics can not be choosen.


MANDATORY EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS COURSES

Soft Condensed Matter Theory (NS-TP453M) 7.5 EC

Experimental Quantum Physics (NS-EX401M) 7.5 EC

Photon Physics (NS-NM427M) 7.5 EC

PRIMARY ELECTIVES EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS

See the programme appendix of Experimental Physics. Note that the courses Colloid Science and Advanced Spectroscopy of Nanomaterials can not be taken as primary electives in this programme.

INTERNSHIP

Internships can start only after all courses and the research part have been finished, or sooner with permission of the director of education.

RESEARCH PART AND THESIS

Students who are registered (1) for both the master’s programme in Nanomaterials Science and the master’s programme Experimental Physics, and (2) are registered for the double degree honours programme in nanomaterials (3) fulfill all of the other requirements to successfully complete the honours programme, must do a thesis project of 60 EC, co-supervised by staff members of the Debye Institute. Such a thesis has to contain sufficient chemistry and physics, such that it meets the standard of both programmes.

The research part is split as follows:

Thesis project part 1: 15 EC (SK-MRES1)

Thesis project part 2: 45 EC (SK-MRES2)

MID-TERM REVIEWS OF HONOURS STUDENTS

The progress of honours students will be reviewed by the selection committee after one year of study and after completion of part 1 of the research project. Honours students should have obtained a minimum of 60 EC after one year and should be in their second year after completing research part 1. Students who do not meet one of these criteria may be denied from the honours programme by the selection committee.


7. APPENDIX

7.1. ONLINE INFORMATION

The master’s programme has its own website. However the university distinguishes between prospective and enrolled students and has constructed two websites for this purpose. Downloadable practical information can only be retrieved from the students webpages. The general URL for regular students is:

http://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics.

• Information about time tables, interim examination: http://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/academics/schedules

A tool that displays all the courses within the Graduate School of Natural Sciences is the Bètaplanner (also known as Courseplanner). This tool allows you to download course schedules into your electronic agenda: https://betaplanner.science.uu.nl/

My TimeTable is a new web-based tool that can be downloaded at: https://students.uu.nl/en/news/new-mytimetable.

It allows you to see an overview of all the courses for which you have registered in a diary.

A similar tool for your smartphone can be downloaded from the app stores (MyUU) of Android and Apple. Once installed you log in with your Solis-id and password. This tool will also show your grades.

The academic calender can be consulted at: https://students.uu.nl/en/practical-information/enrolment/course-registration/academic-calendar

All UU course offerings can be found at the “Onderwijscatalogus”: https://www.osiris.universiteitutrecht.nl/osistu_ospr/OnderwijsCatalogus.do

• Information about course registration and de-registration https://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/practical-information/course-registration-and-re-enrolment

• Information about graduation Chemistry students, bachelors and masters, have a common graduation ceremony planned at three or four dates per year. You will normally participate in the graduation ceremony following shortly after your graduation unless you prefer another date. In this case you should contact the student affairs office. Their e-mail: [email protected].


http://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics

http://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/academics/schedules

http://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/academics/schedules

https://betaplanner.science.uu.nl/

https://students.uu.nl/en/news/new-mytimetable

https://students.uu.nl/en/practical-information/enrolment/course-registration/academic-calendar

https://students.uu.nl/en/practical-information/enrolment/course-registration/academic-calendar

https://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/practical-information/course-registration-and-re-enrolment

https://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/practical-information/course-registration-and-re-enrolment


Graduation dates can be found at: http://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/practical-information/graduation

• Information about the Education and Examination Regulations (EER) of the Graduate School of Natural Sciences The EER document is the only document that gives you legal rights. No rights can be derived from the information given in this course guide. The EER document provides you with the necessary information about our education and examination regulations; i.e graduating cum laude, honours programmes, or whom to contact with any complaints about your assessment. All master programmes of the Graduate School of Natural Sciences are shown in detail in the Programme Annex: a separate document attached to the EER. Each master’s programme has its courses listed in this Annex. You will find the EER at: http://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/practical-information/academic-policies-and-procedures

• Where to do your research project? Consult this course guide and the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science: http://www.uu.nl/en/research/debye-institute-for-nanomaterials-science

• Interested in courses from other master programmes of the Graduate School of Natural Sciences? Consult the Annex to the Education and Examination Regulations: see the above mentioned URL and then the course catalogue of Utrecht University to see content and schedule of the courses.

• Interested in courses from the Graduate School of Life Sciences? http://www.uu.nl/en/education/graduate-school-of-life-sciences

• Interested in going abroad? For destinations, consult your supervisor, director of education, master coordinator and Science International Office. The latter will help you with the administration procedures and inform you how and where to apply for financial support. See also the website of the International Office: http://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/faculty-of-science/education/international-office

• Career prospects Don't start thinking about your career at the end of your study. Get yourself prepared during your studies by e.g. taking workshops of having your CV checked by Career Services: https://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/career-services

As one of this master’s programme aims is to prepare students to pursue a PhD career, we see that the majority of our students continue with a PhD.


http://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/practical-information/graduation

http://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/practical-information/graduation




http://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/faculty-of-science/education/international-office

http://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/faculty-of-science/education/international-office

https://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/career-services

https://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-physics/career-services

Some of them will continue with an academic career, but the majority of our students find excellent positions in international R&D companies. More details can be found at: https://www.uu.nl/masters/en/nanomaterials-science/career-prospects

• Interested in being a student representative in the Education Council of the Graduate School of Natural Sciences? This council discusses on a more broader level educational issues for all the degree programmes belonging to the School of Natural Sciences. The Council provides the Board of Studies several advises related to the quality of the programmes. The Education and Examination Regulations (EER) are also discussed yearly. Changes of master programmes, initiated by the programme itself or directed by the Graduate School are subjects that are discussed in this council. The degree representative is on his turn chairing the master’s OAC of an educational subcommittee (the so called OAC’s in Dutch). The members and the chair can be found at the following link. http://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/faculty-of-science/about-us/organisation/schools/graduate-school-of-natural-sciences/organisation

• You can find contact details of your director of education, coordinator, study counsellor in the next section. Their role is briefly explained here:

First direct all your questions to your programme coordinator.

Programme coordinator Dr. Annik van Keer: [email protected]: Questions you could ask are question related to the content of your study programme, discussing the possibilities to define your study programme, internal rules and regulations, complaints. She will forward your question to the director of education in case you need his permission.

Director of Education: Professor Albert Philipse ([email protected]) is entirely responsible for the content and quality of the programme.

Specific questions related to your exam programme or to receive approval to change your exam programme need to be addressed to him.

Study advisor: Marije de Jong ([email protected]) will help you to overcome impediments (for example financial, emotional, motivational problems) that could affect your study progress.


http://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/faculty-of-science/about-us/organisation/schools/graduate-school-of-natural-sciences/organisation

http://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/faculty-of-science/about-us/organisation/schools/graduate-school-of-natural-sciences/organisation

7.2. NAMES AND ADDRESSES

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

Prof. A. (Albert) P. Philipse Physical and Colloid Chemistry H.R. Kruyt Gebouw, room N 705 Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht T:+31(0)30-2533518 E: [email protected]

PROGRAMME COORDINATOR

Dr. A.A.J. (Annik) Van Keer Hans Freudenthal Gebouw, room 3.10 Budapestlaan 6 3584 CD Utrecht T: +31 (0)6-14221436 E: [email protected]

PROGRAMME ADMISSIONS’ BOARD

Prof. Dr. A. P. Philipse Dr. A.A.J. Van Keer

STUDY ADVISOR

A.M. (Marije) de Jong, MSc. Buys Ballot Gebouw, room 1.23 T:+31(0)30-25337 94 E:[email protected]

BOARD OF EXAMINERS

Dr. I. (Ingmar) Swart (till August 31, 2017) T: +31(0)30-2535164 E: [email protected]

Dr. C. (Celia) Berkers (as of September 2017) T: +31(0)30-2539183 E: [email protected]






INFORMATION ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GOING ABROAD

Ms. L. (Liesbeth) Achterberg Buys Ballot Gebouw, room 118 T:+31(0)30-2533704 E: [email protected]

INTERNSHIP CONTRACTS WITH COMPANIES/NON DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS

Ms. Drs. I (Iris) Caris-Dentener Hans Freudenthal Gebouw, room 3.11 Budapestlaan 6 4584 CD Utrecht T: +31(0)30-2537292 or 2192 E: [email protected]

STUDENT ADMINISTRATION DESK (ONDERWIJS- EN STUDENTENZAKEN)

Buys Ballot Gebouw, Room 1.84 (Masters) Princetonplein 5 3584 CC Utrecht T: +31(0)30-2535555 E: [email protected] Monday-Friday from 9.00-15.30

EDITORS OF THIS COURSE GUIDE

Dr. Annik Van Keer Dr.ing. Yvette Roman


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Copyright

University of Utrecht

Department of Chemistry

H.R. Kruytgebouw, Padualaan 8

3584 CH Utrecht

June 2017

Disclaimer

Although this brochure was made with

greatest care, no rights can be derived from

its contents

Programme Coordinatordr. A.A.J. (Annik) van Keer

Email address: [email protected] number: 06 1422 1436

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