• Basic information
• Learning outcomes
• Contents
• Assessment
• Workload

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Learning about the general framework of biotechnology and its relation to other branches of science; theoretical principles of methods commonly used in the identification and characterization of the main biological molecules such as DNA, RNA, and protein

   Contribution to Program Outcomes

   1. To gain in-depth knowledge and experience about basic concepts and methods in nanoscience and nanotechnology.
   2. To manage nanotechnology-focused solutions and products commercialization processes.
   3. Design and conduct independent research projects.
   4. Learning Competence
   5. Develop an awareness of continuous learning in relation with modern technology
   6. To understand the basic principles and applications of new tools and / or software required for thesis work.
   7. Field-based Competence
   8. Demonstrating professional and ethical responsibility.

   Method of assessment

   1. Oral exam
2. The properties of nanomaterials that find wide application in the field of biotechnology, the theoretical subdivision of functionalization and characterization with biological molecules.

   Contribution to Program Outcomes

   1. To gain in-depth knowledge and experience about basic concepts and methods in nanoscience and nanotechnology.
   2. To be knowledgeable and practical about the production and characterization techniques of materials and devices in nano scale.
   3. Cognitive, Practical
   4. To take an active role in Product Development and Research-Development processes
   5. Ability to work independently and take responsibility
   6. Acquire scientific knowledge.
   7. Design and conduct independent research projects.
   8. Develop an awareness of continuous learning in relation with modern technology
   9. Communication and Social Competence
   10. To understand the basic principles and applications of new tools and / or software required for thesis work.
   11. Field-based Competence
   12. Demonstrating professional and ethical responsibility.

   Method of assessment

   1. Term paper
3. Learning the basic uses of nanomaterials in biotechnology, integrating the learners with existing knowledge and developing the ability of interdisciplinary creative thinking

   Contribution to Program Outcomes

   1. To gain in-depth knowledge and experience about basic concepts and methods in nanoscience and nanotechnology.
   2. To be knowledgeable and practical about the production and characterization techniques of materials and devices in nano scale.
   3. To manage nanotechnology-focused solutions and products commercialization processes.
   4. To take an active role in Product Development and Research-Development processes
   5. Ability to work independently and take responsibility
   6. Learning Competence
   7. Develop an awareness of continuous learning in relation with modern technology
   8. Communication and Social Competence
   9. To understand the basic principles and applications of new tools and / or software required for thesis work.
   10. Write progress reports based on published documents, dissertations, articles.
   11. Field-based Competence
   12. Demonstrating professional and ethical responsibility.

   Method of assessment

   1. Written exam
   2. Seminar/presentation

Contents
Week 1:	Title: The molecules of Life • Structure and functions of DNA • Structure and functions of RNA • Structure and functions of Protein
Week 2:	Title: The central dogma of biology • Replication • Transcription • Translation
Week 3:	Title: The universe at nanoscale • General perspectives of biotechnology • General perspectives of nanotechnology • Intersection of biotechnology and nanotechnology: nanobiotechnology
Week 4:	Title: Field trip to Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Centre • Clean room facility; information on lithography techniques • Nanoparticle synthesis and characterization infrastructure • Microscopy facilities • Nanobiotechnology laboratory
Week 5:	Title: Carbon based nanomaterials • Giant carbon materials • Fullerene • Graphene • Carbon nanotubes
Week 6:	Title: Metallic nanomaterials • Gold nanoparticles • Silver nanoparticles • Iron (oxide) nanoparticles
Week 7:	Title: Fluorescent nanomaterials • The concept of fluorescense • Quantum dots (down conversion nanoparticles) • Upconversion nanoparticles
Week 8:	Midterm exam
Week 9:	Title: Affinity probes for nanoparticle surface modification • Antibodies (protein based affinity probes) • Aptamers (DNA/RNA based synthetic affinity probes)
Week 10:	Title: Surface bio-modification (labelling) techniques • Carbodiimide chemistry • Streptavidin-Biotin interaction • Gold-thiol interaction • Ni/Co His-tag interaction
Week 11:	Title: Characterization of surface bio-modification-1 • Gel electrophoresis techniques • UV-Vis spectrophotometry
Week 12:	Title: Characterization of surface bio-modification-2 • Dynamic Light Scattering • Circular dichroism
Week 13:	Title: Sensing, imaging and drug delivery applications of nanoparticles • Interactive review of the recent literature in nanobiotechnology field • Discussion of the limitations of the nanomaterials • Watching and discussing the recent documentaries in the field
Week 14:	Title: Nanotoxicity and review of the course materials • Importance of nanomaterials’s size, shape and surface properties in biology • Quizz
Week 15*:	• Review of the course materials/final exam preparation week
Week 16*:	Final exam
Textbooks and materials:	• Nanobiotechnology: Concepts, Applications, and Perspectives. Christof M. Niemeyer (Editor) and Chad A. Mirkin (Editor), ISBN: 978-3-527-30658-9 • The Nanobiotechnology Handbook, Yubing Xie, ISBN 9781439838693 • Nanobiosensors, Volume 8, 1st Edition, Editors: Alexandru Grumezescu Hardcover ISBN: 9780128043011
Recommended readings:	• http://www.nature.com/nnano/focus/plenty-of-room/index.html • Feynman, R. P. Engineering and Science 22–36 (February 1960). • Feynman, R. P., Leighton, R. B. & Sands, M. Feynman Lectures on Physics (Vols 1–3) (Addison Wesley, 1963). • Feynman, R. P. 'Surely You're Joking, Mr Feynman!' Adventures of a Curious Character (W. W. Norton, 1985). • Toumey, C. Engineering and Science 16–23 (June 2005).
	* Between 15th and 16th weeks is there a free week for students to prepare for final exam.

Assessment
Method of assessment	Week number	Weight (%)
Mid-terms:	8	30
Other in-term studies:	-	0
Project:	14	30
Homework:	-	0
Quiz:	14	5
Final exam:	16	35
	Total weight:	(%)

Workload
Activity	Duration (Hours per week)	Total number of weeks	Total hours in term
Courses (Face-to-face teaching):	3	14
Own studies outside class:	5	14
Practice, Recitation:	2	1
Homework:	0	0
Term project:	0	0
Term project presentation:	3	1
Quiz:	1	1
Own study for mid-term exam:	8	4
Mid-term:	3	1
Personal studies for final exam:	7	4
Final exam:	3	1
		Total workload:
		Total ECTS credits:	*
	* ECTS credit is calculated by dividing total workload by 25. (1 ECTS = 25 work hours)