M I D D L E E A S T T E C H N I C A L U N I V E R S I T Y
Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences
Micro and Nanotechnology Program
MNT 5 0 1
Nanoscience and Engineering Principles
Fall Semester 2026 – 2027 · (3-0) 3 credits · Course outline
COURSE INFORMATION
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MEETINGS |
Wednesdays, 13:40 – 16:30 |
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LOCATION |
Central Laboratory, Beyaz Anfi |
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FORMAT |
Face-to-face. There are no online sessions. |
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COORDINATOR |
Prof. Dr. Burcu Akata Kurç |
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COORDINATOR E- |
OFFICE HOURS On demand, email only
TEACHING ASSISTANT Elshan Asadi · elshan.asadi@metu.edu.tr
PREREQUISITES general chemistry, physics, engineering background
COURSE DESCRIPTION
MNT 501 introduces the physical principles, synthetic routes, computational methods, and fabrication technologies that underpin nanoscience and nanotechnology. The course is taught by four faculty members, each leading a module in their area of specialization, so that students encounter the field as it is actually practised across materials science, chemistry, condensed matter physics, and mechanical engineering. Students completing the course will have a working command of how nanostructured materials are described, made, modelled, and manufactured. Each student will have to submit and present a project assigned in coordination with instructors.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Explain how size, dimensionality, and surface effects alter the optical, electronic, and thermal properties of nanostructured materials.
- Select and justify an appropriate synthetic route for a target nanomaterial.
- Describe the theoretical basis and practical limitations of the principal computational methods used in nanoscience.
- Outline a micro- and nanofabrication process flow for a simple MEMS device.
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Locate, read critically, and synthesize primary literature in a chosen subfield, and present that synthesis in a written term paper.
INSTRUCTIONAL TEAM
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MODULE 1 |
Assist. Prof. Yusuf Keleştemur — Properties of Nanostructured Materials |
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MODULE 2 |
Prof. Dr. Burcu Akata Kurç — Synthesis of Nanomaterials |
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MODULE 3 |
Prof. Hande Toffoli — Fundamentals of Computational Nanoscience |
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MODULE 4 |
Assoc. Prof. Ender Yıldırım — Nano and Microfabrication Techniques: MEMS |
COURSE SCHEDULE
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DATES |
WEEK |
TOPIC |
INSTRUCTOR |
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30 September 7 October 14 October 21 October |
1–4 |
Properties of Nanostructured Materials Welcome notes and course introduction in week 1 (B. Akata Kurç). |
Y. Keleştemur |
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28 October 4 November
11 November |
5–6
7 |
Synthesis of Nanomaterials 28 October meets in the morning; the afternoon is a halfday holiday. Time and room to be announced.
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B. Akata Kurç |
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18 November |
8 |
Midterm Examination 1 — term paper topic due |
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25 November 2 December 9 December |
9–11 |
Fundamentals of Computational Nanoscience |
H. Toffoli |
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16 December 23 December 30 December |
12–14 |
Nano and Microfabrication Techniques: MEMS |
E. Yıldırım |
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6 January 2027 |
— |
Midterm Examination 2 — term paper due |
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13 January 2027 |
— |
Presentation DAY |
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ASSESSMENT
MIDTERM 1 [ 35 ] · 18 November 2026
MIDTERM 2 [ 35 ] · 6 January 2027
TERM PAPER [ 10 ] · topic due 18 November, paper due 6 January
PRESENTATIONS [ 20 ] · Presentations on 13 January
[Weights must total 100 %.]
TERM PAPER
Students choose a term paper topic in consultation with the instructors and confirm it by 18 November 2026. The completed paper is due on 6 January 2027.
LENGTH [Rubrics will be provided]
FORMAT [as provided]
SUBMISSION [ODTUClass]
GRADING CRITERIA [As goven in the rules file]
COURSE POLICIES
- All sessions are held face-to-face. There are no online sessions.
- Attendance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended. Examination content is drawn directly from the lectures.
- All examinations are held face-to-face, and the dates are not negotiable.
- Make-up examinations are granted only with documented cause, in accordance with METU regulations.
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Academic honesty is expected in all submitted work. Text generated by others, including artificial intelligence tools, must be acknowledged.
READING AND REFERENCES
[Provided by each instructor. Students need to strictly follow the assistant’s emails and ODTUClass .]Version 1 · prepared September 2026 · subject to revision by announcement in class.