MENA1001 – Materials, Energy and Nanotechnology
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
How to use advanced materials in solar cells, fuel cells, and batteries? Advanced materials are the foundation for tomorrow’s electronics and energy technology for the green shift.
The course is an introductory course in materials science and is a mandatory part of Fornybar energi og nanoteknologi (bachelor). The course gives a basis in physics and chemistry with emphasis on materials for energy technology and nanotechnology. The course can be a useful and interesting optional course in other bachelor programs.
Learning outcome
After completing the course, you:
- have fundamental knowledge about mechanics, electromagnetism, various forms of energy, and thermodynamics
- know how basic quantum mechanics describes orbitals, which provides the fundament for the atoms and their properties, the periodic table of the elements, and various types of bonds in molecules and solids
- know concepts of stoichiometry and chemical amounts, you know the relationship between chemical reaction kinetics, equilibrium, and thermodynamic and electrochemical terms, and you can calculate spontaneity, equilibria, and cell potentials
- have an overview of important classes of structural and functional materials and a fundamental understanding of how composition, structure, and defects determine their mechanical, optical, electrical, magnetic, and chemical properties
- know principles and tools for nanoscience and some important materials and applications within nanotechnology, as well as considerations of health, safety, and environment (HSE) and ethical, legal, and societal aspects (ELSA)
- have an overview of fossil and renewable energy sources, conversion and transport of energy, and technologies for reducing pollution and emission of climate gases, with emphasis on the use of advanced materials and nanotechnology
- are familiar with laboratory work in physics, chemistry, and energy conversion, and can prepare and carry out simple laboratory experiments and use a laboratory journal for documentation
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
Special admission requirements
In addition to fulfilling the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:
- Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2) + R2
And in addition one of these:
- Physics (1+2)
- Chemistry (1+2)
- Biology (1+2)
- Information technology (1+2)
- Geosciences (1+2)
- Technology and theories of research (1+2)
The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies (in Norwegian).
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Before you can attend the first mandatory laboratory exercise, you have to have passed the following courses:
Recommended previous knowledge
Chemistry (e.g. Kjemi 2) and Physics (e.g. Fysikk 2) from upper secondary school.
Overlapping courses
- 7 credits overlap with MENA1000 – Materials, energy and nanotechnology (continued).
- 5 credits overlap with KJM1101 – Generell kjemi.
- 5 credits overlap with KJM1100 – General chemistry (continued).
Teaching
The course duration is one semester. The teaching includes:
- 26 hours of lectures (2 hours per week for 13 weeks)
- 39 hours of exercises/colloquia (3 hours per week for 13 weeks) and
- a mandatory laboratory course of 35 hours (5 practical exercises of 5 hours and a mandatory exercise (2 hours) before each laboratory exercise).
A completed and approved laboratory course is valid for six semesters beyond the semester it was approved. After this period, you must complete the laboratory course again to be able to sit for the final examination.
You must be able to show documentation that you have passed the HSE courses on the first lab exercise.
It is mandatory to attend the first lecture (including students on the waiting list). If you are unable to attend the first lecture, you must notify the Department of Chemistry before the start of the lecture, otherwise your course registration will be cancelled.
As the teaching involves laboratory and/or fieldwork, you should consider taking out a separate travel and personal risk insurance. Read about your insurance cover as a student.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
- Written midterm exam, 1 hour, which counts 20 % towards the final grade.
- Final written exam, 4 hours, which counts 80 % towards the final grade.
In case of a documented valid reason for absence from the midterm exam, the final exam will count 100 %.
This course has a mandatory laboratory course, which must be completed and approved before you can sit the final exam.
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: MENA1000 – Materials, energy and nanotechnology (continued)
Examination support material
Calculator approved by the Department of Mathematics (only in Norwegian)
Language of examination
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.