2015/16 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
CMNS3100 Nanotechnology Ethics and Enterprise
10 creditsClass Size: 20
Module manager: Dr Andrew Nelson
Email: a.l.nelson@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2015/16
This module is mutually exclusive with
| PHIL2729 | Ethical Issues in Nanotechnology |
Module replaces
PHIL2729This module is not approved as a discovery module
Objectives
On completion of this module, students should:- be familiar with an intellectual framework for considering ethical issues;
- be aware of the suggested or actual - ethical implications of different aspects of nanotechnology;
- be able to asesss for themselves these ethical implications;
- have a basic understanding of the enterprise process and to illustrate this by investigation of examples of successful new nanotechnology companies.
Learning outcomes
Academic approach to ethics; procedures & practical steps in enterprise and entrepreneurship.
Syllabus
What does ethics mean in the context of science and engineering and why bother about ethics. Common examples (e.g.lead in petrol, organochlorine pesticides, climate change, animal testing, clinical trials, GM crops, nuclear industry). The moral arguments of hazard/risk vs economics. Ethical assessment of new technologies - procedures and who is responsible.
Ethical assessment of new technologies; ethical issues in nanotechnology, self replication and the grey goo scenario; nanoelectronics - pollution/contamination from manufacturing, nanomedicine (targeted drug delivery and nanosurgery),agriculture of nanomaterials, nanotechnology for defence and security applications, green nanotechnology, nanotechnology in food.
Entrerprise in nanotechnology, basics and practical business models, case studies of Nanotechnology start-up companies.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Seminar | 11 | 2.00 | 22.00 |
| Private study hours | 78.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 22.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
- directed reading- preparation for weekly seminars
- preparation of assessed essays
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Seminar discussions, participations in seminars, case studies, 2 x 1,000 word essays.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Group Discussion | Preparation for discussion | 20.00 |
| Tutorial Performance | Participation in discussion | 5.00 |
| Case Study | Case studies | 25.00 |
| Essay | 2 x 1,000 word essays | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Students are assessed on their preparation for seminar discussions and their participation in the seminars. Resit excludes group discussion and tutorial performance.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 31/10/2012
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
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