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Utrecht University Graduate School of Natural Sciences
Master’s Programme Nanomaterials Science
2016/2017 Course Guide
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Utrecht University
Graduate School of Natural Sciences
Department of Chemistry
Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science
Version June 20th 2016
2016/2017 Course Guide
Nanomaterials Science
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Content
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 4
PROGRAMME ................................................................................................................. 6
2. COURSE DESCRIPTIONS ................................................................................. 12
2.1. MANDATORY COURSES ...................................................................................... 12
ADSORPTION, KINETICS AND CATALYSIS ................................................................ 13
ACADEMIC CONTEXT COURSE ................................................................................... 14
2.2. PRIMARY ELECTIVES ......................................................................................... 18
ADVANCED ORGANIC SYNTHESIS ............................................................................. 19
CONTACT HOURS ...................................................................................................... 19
ADVANCED PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY ........................................................................... 20
ADVANCED SPECTROSCOPY OF NANOMATERIALS .................................................... 22
COLLOID SCIENCE .................................................................................................... 24
COMPUTATIONAL QUANTUM MECHANICS (P) ........................................................... 26
MODELLING AND SIMULATION(P) ............................................................................ 27
ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY AND HOMOGENEOUS CATALYSIS ............................ 29
SOFT CONDENSED MATTER THEORY (P) ................................................................... 31
SOLIDS AND SURFACES ............................................................................................ 33
SOLAR ENERGY PHYSICS (GEO) ............................................................................... 34
SYNTHESIS OF HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSTS AND RELATED MATERIALS ................ 36
PHOTON PHYSICS (P) ............................................................................................... 38
TOY MODELS IN BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS ............................................. 42
2.3. SECONDARY ELECTIVE COURSES ....................................................................... 44
2.4. EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY .......................................................................... 45
3. RESEARCH PROJECT AND/OR INTERNSHIP .................................................... 46
THE RESEARCH PROJECT AND THESIS ...................................................................... 46
THE INTERNSHIP ...................................................................................................... 49
4. RESEARCH GROUP PROFILES OF THE DEBYE INSTITUTE OF NANOMATERIALS SCIENCE ................................................................................................................... 52
CONDENSED MATTER AND INTERFACES ................................................................... 53
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY AND CATALYSIS ................................................................ 55
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY AND CATALYSIS (OCC) .......................................................... 58
PHYSICAL AND COLLOID CHEMISTRY ....................................................................... 60
SOFT CONDENSED MATTER AND BIOPHYSICS (SCM&B) ........................................... 62
5. HONOURS PROGRAMMES ................................................................................ 65
5.1. THE DEBYE HONOURS PROGRAMME ................................................................ 65
5.2. HONOURS PROGRAMME NANOMATERIALS: CHEMISTRY & PHYSICS ............... 68
6. APPENDIX ....................................................................................................... 70
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6.1. ON-LINE INFORMATION .................................................................................... 70
6.2. NAMES AND ADDRESSES ................................................................................... 73
COPYRIGHT........................................................................................................................................ 74
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1. Introduction
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: nanophotonics, colloid science, and catalysis.
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
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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, 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 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.
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Programme
The Nanomaterials science master is a two-years programme of the Department of Chemistry with collaboration of the Department of Physics.
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 solids, organic chemistry, 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.
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 no scheduled in the year 16-17. A list with actual courses are given in this
guide.
The programme consists of four parts:
A. Mandatory courses of 15 EC B. Primary elective courses (22,5 EC) to choose out of a list of pre-
determined courses C. Secondary elective courses (30 EC)
D. Research project and thesis (52,5 EC)
A. The mandatory courses (see Table 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.
B. The primary courses 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.
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Table 1: Most courses have a study load of 7,5 EC.
A. Mandatory courses (15 EC)
-Adsorption, Kinetics and Catalysis (7,5 EC) -Academic Context Course (6,5 EC)
-Introducing Natural Sciences (0,5 EC) -Dilemmas of a Scientist (0,5 EC)
B. Primary electives course list (22,5 EC)1 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 requirements per research group.
1. Catalysis and chemical synthesis Participating Research 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
2. Colloid Science
Participating groups: Physical and Colloid Chemistry, Soft Condensed Matter & Biophysics (Dept of Physics)
-Advanced Physical Chemistry -Colloid Science
-Modelling and Simulation(P) -Toy models in Biology, Chemistry and Physics -Soft Condensed Matter Theory (P)
3. Photonics
Participating group: Condensed Matter and Interfaces -Advanced Spectroscopy of Nanomaterials
-Computational Quantum Mechanics (P) -Solids and Surfaces
-Solar Energy Physics (GEO)
1 (P) stands for courses organized by the Department of Physics, while (GEO) stands for a course
organized by the Faculty of Geosciences
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-Physics of light and Electronmicroscopy (4,5 EC; NS-EX417M) -Application of Light and Electronmicroscopy (3 EC;NS-EX419M)
C. The second part of the course may take one of the following four forms (see Table 2).
Table 2
C. Secondary electives: courses, work experience, profiles (30 EC)
There are five possibilities
C1 Course work (30 EC) 1. courses needed to meet entry requirements for a maximum of 15 EC; 2. remaining primary courses;
3. courses from other master’s programmes in the Faculty of Science (if admission qualifications are fulfilled);
4. courses from other programmes if permission is granted by the programme director;
5. selected courses from other universities within the Netherlands or abroad
which are approved by the programme director and the chemistry sub board of examiners.
C2 Work experience (30 EC)
Half-year project in industry, in a research institute or in a university group (the latter preferably abroad).
C3 Combination Short project (15 EC) + 2 courses (15 EC)
C4 Profiles in education, complex systems or applied data science (30 EC)
C1.1 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.2 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.
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C2. Students may, instead of taking elective courses, do a half-year project either in industry, in a research institute or in a university group.
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 programme director.
C3. Alternatively, a short project in an industrial or a university group may be combined with two secondary courses (15 + 15 EC). The student should be aware that industrial placements are rarely offered for a short period of 3
months.
C4. 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 in stead 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 form the Programme Annex attached to the Education and Examination Regulations.
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 of 15 EC,
supervised by a 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 these documents is given in the last section of this course guide.
Table 3 D. Research project and Thesis (52,5 EC)
The project can be carried out in one of the research groups of the Debye Institute.
A. Condensed Matter and Interfaces B. Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis
C. Organic Chemistry and Catalysis D. Physical and Colloid Chemistry
E. Soft Condensed Matter and Biophysics (P)
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Profiles of the research groups are given in Section 4.
The research project consists of two parts.
Part 1 (15 EC): introduction and start of the research project Part 2 (37,5 EC): research and thesis
A writing essay of 5 EC is part of the Academic Context course. Details are given in Section 2, mandatory courses.
D. One year of the programme will be devoted to a project involving fundamental research in one of the groups of the Debye Institute (see Table
3)4 or another laboratory5. 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 Table 1 (see also Research Group profiles in section 4). 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)6 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.
Footnotes 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 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. 4 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.
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5 In principle, the thesis research can be performed at a foreign university, in an industrial laboratory or in an external institute (see 1 above). In these
cases the project must be approved by the programme director and supervised by a staff member of the Debye Institute.
6 Course work and research may “overlap”, to allow optimum use of the time available.
Table 4
E. Extracurricular activity Teaching in the Academia (1 EC).
This course aims to prepare students-assistants for their teaching task.
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2. Course descriptions
2.1. Mandatory courses
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Adsorption, Kinetics and Catalysis Course code (Osiris)
SK-MAKC
Coordinator Prof. Dr. K.P. de Jong (030-253 6762), [email protected] Lecturers Prof. K.P. de Jong, Dr. P.E. de Jongh, Prof. Dr. F. de Groot Discipline group Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Work load 7.5 ECTS
Semester 2, period 3 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:
in depth knowledge of several types of catalytic reactions with their respective mechanism and applications
in-depth knowledge and use of kinetics of catalytic reactions – their
mathematical description and physical basis basic understanding on effects of diffusion on catalytic reactions
in depth knowledge and insight in physisorption as basis for catalyst characterization
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 presented. The students are invited to attend the national course “Catalytic Surface Science” organized by NIOK, The Netherlands Institute for Catalysis
Research (not obligatory).
Contact hours: 64 hours
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Academic Context Course Course code
(Osiris)
SK-MACCO
Coordinator Prof. Dr. Eelco Vogt 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 ECTS Semester 1
Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl Work form Lectures, seminars, work lunches, colloquia Materials
Evaluation Written assignment of a literature review (x%), poster presentation (x%), Assignment on scientific integrity (x%), active involvement at several activities
Level M (master) Entry requirements
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
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.
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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. What is the
programme like, how could you design your own study programme, what kind of requirements do exist upon choosing your research project? And will you be doing an internship or replacing this option by either a 30 EC profile in
education, in complex systems or in big data science offered by the Graduate School or will you be taken an honours programme within this programme or
university broad, or combine this programme with a degree programme in physics leading to two diplomas? Several options are available and will be discussed during this introduction. Students coming from abroad will get a
guided tour along the Debye research labs and course 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 in block 4.
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 at the end of their first 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 over a whole year
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Introducing Natural Sciences Course code (Osiris)
INTRO-GSNS
Coordinator Dr. Annik Van Keer Lecturers Invited speakers Discipline group Graduate School of Natural Sciences Work load 0.5 ECTS Period First week of September or February
Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl Work form Materials Evaluation Attendance will be registered Level M (master)
Entry requirements Admission to one of the Graduate School’s master’s programmes
Aim:
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 work shops and an information market
give students a warm welcome by starting a community from the first
day of their arrival
Content There are two morning sessions with several speakers introducing the student to the 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
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Dilemmas of a Scientist Course code (Osiris)
Coordinator Prof. Dr. Bert Theunissen, Lecturers Dr. Hieke Huistra
Discipline group Freudenthal Institute Work load 0.5 ECTS Period Three meetings through the year, starting with the first session at the
Introduction of the Graduate School Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl Work form Materials
Evaluation Attendance will be registered
Level M (master) Entry requirements Admission to one of the Graduate School’s master’s programmes
<To be announced>
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2.2. Primary electives
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Advanced Organic Synthesis Course code
(Osiris)
SK-MOSS
Coordinator Prof. Dr. L.W. Jenneskens (030-2533128), [email protected] Lecturers Prof. Dr. L.W. Jenneskens, Dr. M.E. Moret, Prof. Dr. Roland Pieters,
Dr. Tom Wennekes Discipline group Organic Chemistry and Catalysis Work load 7.5 ECTS Semester 2, period 4
Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl Work form Lectures, tutorials and presentations Materials Lecture notes Evaluation Reports/ essays, presentation Level M (master)
Entry requirements Second and third year BSC-courses in Organic Chemistry
Course aims
At the end of the course the student will have gained
An advanced understanding of the architecture and complexity of organic molecules from a synthetic and mechanistic perspective
(advanced retro-syntheses); Insight in advanced models and tools to identify, analyze and translate
this complexity into a series of key operations enabling the synthesis
and construction of complex organic molecules by rational design; A basic understanding of molecular modeling and the computational
tools that can be applied to rationalize how complex organic molecules can be constructed;
Insight in analytical and spectroscopic methods to analyze and
structurally characterize complex organic molecules; etc
Course content
This course provide the students with state-of-the-art knowledge of interest for the construction of complex organic molecules and architectures.
Examples of the systems of relevance for advanced catalysis, the material sciences and the life sciences will be discussed and studied in detail. Intimately related to this objective 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.
Contact hours
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Advanced Physical Chemistry Course code
(Osiris)
SK-MPC3
Coordinator Dr. B. Erné ([email protected]) Lecturers Dr. B. Erne, Dr. G.J. Vroege , Dr. A.V. Petukhov Discipline group Physical and Colloid Chemistry Work load 7.5 ECTS Semester 2
Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl Work form Lectures and tutorials Materials 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 chemistst (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
After completion of the course, the student will have:
a basic understanding of statistical thermodynamics of interacting systems: non-ideal gases, liquids, solids, and Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics.
elementary knowledge of several effects happening at interfaces and the experimental methods to study those interfaces and their
applications. in-depth knowledge of the physical chemistry of colloids and polymers:
their synthesis, Brownian motion, stability, diffusion, sedimentation,
interaction and their applications basic understanding of the statistics and thermodynamic of polymers
Course content
The statistical thermodynamics - part contains the following topics: : non-ideal gases, liquids, solids, and Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics.
The topics treated in the section on Interfaces are: wetting, adsorption,
surface-active agents, charged interfaces, experimental methods for the study of interfaces and applications.
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Topics dealt with in ‘colloids and polymers’ include: synthesis of colloids, Brownian motion, diffusion, sedimentation, interaction between colloidal
particles and stability as well as applications of these concepts. The topic includes a brief treatment of statistics and thermodynamics of polymers.
This course forms a bridge towards other master courses, including “Colloid Science” (SK-MCS) and “Soft Matter Theory” (NS-T453M).
Contact hours
64 hours consisting of 16 sessions of 4 hours (2 hours of lectures and 2
hours of tutorials)
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Advanced Spectroscopy of Nanomaterials Course code
(Osiris)
SK-MASPN
Coordinator Prof. Dr. F.M.F. de Groot (06 22736343), [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 ECTS Semester 1 Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl
Work form Lectures and seminars, exercises and excursion Materials Reader, Software: CTM4XAS (laptop) Evaluation Written examinations: exam 1 (33%), exam 2 (50%) and assignment
(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 the general function of synchrotron radiation sources understand x-ray spectroscopy experiments
understand x-ray microscopy experiments be able to perform spectroscopy calculations with the CTM4XAS
software 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, x-ray microscopy and x- ray spectroscopy. 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 the different ways of interaction of x-rays with matter. This includes x-ray microscopy and x-ray spectroscopy. A computer program will be used to simulate x-ray spectra.
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Contact hours 72 hours (2 blocks of 2 hours of lectures and tutorials per week)
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Colloid science Course code
(Osiris)
SK-MCS
Coordinator Prof. Dr. A. Philipse (030-253), [email protected] Lecturers Prof. Dr. A. Philipse. Dr. B. Erné Discipline group Physical Colloid Chemistry Work load 7.5 ECTS Semester 1 Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl
Work form Lectures, exercises, self study, literature study Materials To be announced Evaluation Written exam Level M (master) Entry requirements Second year bachelor’s course in Physical Chemistry
Course aims: After completion of the course, the student 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
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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.
Contact hours
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Computational Quantum Mechanics (P) Course will be taught every two year restarting as of 17-18. Course code (Osiris)
NS-NM431M
Coordinator Dr. Ir. M.A. van Huis (+31-30-253 2409), [email protected] Lecturers Dr. Ir. M.A. van Huis Discipline group Condensed Condensed Matter & Biophysics Work load 7.5 ECTS
Semester 2, period 3 en 4
Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl 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 quantum
mechanical codes such as NWChem (http://www.nwchem-sw.org) and 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.
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Modelling and Simulation(P)
Course code (Osiris) NS-TP432M
Coordinator Prof. Dr. ir. M. Dijkstra Lecturers Prof. ir. Dr. M. Dijkstra, tel.: +31 30 2533270, [email protected]
Dr. L.C. Filion, tel.: +31 30 2533519, [email protected] 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 ECTS
Semester 2 Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl Work form Lectures, practicals Materials Syllabus available at Studiepunt Buys Ballot room 184
Recommended: D.Frenkel and B.Smit, Understanding Molecular Simulation: From Algorithms to Applications, Academic Press
Evaluation Hand in exercises and a small research project Level M (master) Entry requirements Basic knowledge of thermodynamics and statistical physics, and
programming
Course aims
This is an introduction course in computer simulations. After this course, the
students should be able to: understand the basic concepts of computer simulations
write a basic Monte Carlo simulation code analyze and interpret the simulation results explain how these simulations are used in research
read and understand relevant literature in this field.
Course content
Computer simulations play an important role in modern day physics research. From soft and hard condensed matter, to climate science and biophysics,
computer simulations are one of the most indispensable tools for physicists today. In this course we will focus on the application of computer simulation techniques to the study of (classical) many-body systems, such as magnetic
systems, colloidal and nanoparticle suspensions, and polymers.
In physics research, complex physical systems are generally simplified through a sequence of controlled approximations to yield a model that lends itself to further study. Often highly diverse systems can be approximated by
the same simplified model. In this course we use computer simulations to examine a number of important simplified models for many-body systems,
including the Ising model (which can describe phenomena varying from the phase behaviour of magnetic systems to the gas-liquid phase transition),
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random walks (which can be used to model behaviour ranging from the dynamics of colloids to the structure of polymers), and several simplified pair
potentials for atomic and molecular systems including the Lennard-Jones interaction and hard spheres. Specifically, we will explore how computer
simulations can be used to understand and predict properties of such model systems, such as the phase diagram, equation of state, diffusion coefficient, and heat conductivity. We will show that using simulations, we are able to
obtain a fundamental understanding of the relation between interactions and material properties, which is often impossible to obtain from experiments or
theory. In this course, we first give a short introduction to thermodynamics and
classical statistical mechanics. We discuss Monte-Carlo simulations with emphasis on the Metropolis method, detailed balance, trial moves, various
ensembles, thermodynamic integration techniques for solids and liquids, Einstein crystals, Gibbs ensemble simulations, and tracing coexistence curves using the Clausius-Clapeyron equation. We also examine simulation methods
which model dynamics, such as Molecular and Langevin dynamics. The course consists of lectures, hands-on practicals where the student will learn
how to write simulation codes and analyze the results, as well as a small research project.
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Organometallic Chemistry and Homogeneous Catalysis Course code (Osiris)
SK-MOCHC
Coordinator Prof. Dr. Bert Klein Gebbink (030-2531889), [email protected]
Lecturers Bert Klein Gebbink, Berth-Jan Deelman, Johann Jastrzebski, Marc-Etienne Moret, Matthias Otte
Discipline group Organic Chemistry and Catalysis Work load 7.5 ECTS
Semester 1 Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl Work form Lectures, problem hours Materials The Organometallic Chemistry of the Transition Metals, 6th Edition by
Robert H. Crabtree (Wiley) Evaluation Written exam Level M (master)
Entry requirements SK-BKATA; strongly advised Organic Chemistry at bachelor’s level 3 and Inorganic Chemistry at bachelor’s level 2.
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
- Metal Alkyls, Aryls, and Hydrides - Carbonyl and Phosphine Complexes
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- Ligand Substitution Reactions
- Complexes of -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.
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Soft Condensed Matter Theory (P) Course code (Osiris)
NS-TP453M
Coordinator Dr. René van Roij (030-253 7579), [email protected] Lecturers Dr. R.H.H.G. van Roij Discipline group Soft Condensed Matter Theory
Work load 7.5 ECTS Semester 2 Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl 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
The goal is to obtain a broad general background into the theories,
methods, and models of soft-matter research, as well as to learn some detailed aspects on topics of current research interest. The perspective will
be mainly theoretical, while the topics are largely inspired by experimental research activities in the Debye Institute; connections will be made directly.
At the end of the course, the student:
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
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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 addional ions. Traditional examples of such systems are blood, mud, hairgel, 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
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Solids and Surfaces Course code
(Osiris)
SK-MSOLS
Coordinator Prof. Dr. D. Vanmaekelbergh (030-2532218),
[email protected], Lecturers Prof. Dr. D. Vanmaekelbergh, Dr. I. Swart Discipline group Condensed Matter and Interfaces Work load 7.5 ECTS Semester 1, period 2 Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl Work form Lectures, tutorials and oral presentation Materials SOLID STATE PHYSICS, J. R. Hook and H. E. Hall, ISBN 978-0471-
92805-8 (paperback, can be obtained at bol.com) Slides (available on Blackboard)
Reader for the second part given by I. Swart, slides on Blackboard Evaluation Two written examinations: 3-D systems (50%) and 2-D systems
(50%) Level M (master) Entry requirements Basic knowledge of solid state chemistry (e.g. second year
bachelorcourse is necessary). The third-year bachelorcourse SK-BASSM is also recommended.
Course aims
On completion of the course the student has
knowledge about 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
Course content
In this course, the electronic properties of 3- and 2-D crystalline solids and surfaces are studied on an elementary quantum mechanical level. These properties are determined by the motion of electrons in an a periodic lattice
of ions; the electrons are described by waves. In the first part of the course, we study the electronic structure of simple metals, insulators and
semiconductors. In the second part, we focus on 2-D crystals such as graphene and crystalline surfaces.
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 one of two facilities of the Debye Institute: scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy and the solar cell laboratory.
Contact hours
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Solar Energy Physics (GEO) Course code
(Osiris)
GEO4-2513
Coordinator dr. W.G.J.H.M. van Sark (030-2537611), [email protected]
Lecturers dr. W.G.J.H.M. van Sark
Discipline group Energy & Resources
Work load 7.5 ECTS
Semester 2, period 4
Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl
Work form Lectures, tutorials and oral presentation
Materials Boek: J. Nelson, The physics of solar cells”, Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 978-1-86094-349-2 (soft cover) or another book, please contact the coordinator. Sheets: Lecture slides Reader: Other material on topics not covered in the book will be provided in reader.
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, diffusion, ion implantation)
5. Thin film solar cells, including tandem cells
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6. Selected other semiconductor materials and devices and new development
7. Solar cell performance 8. Experience solar cell research in practice by laboratory visit
Contact hours
36
Synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts and
related materials Course code (Osiris)
SK-MSYNA
Coordinator Prof. Krijn P. de Jong (+316 22736762), [email protected]
Lecturers Dr. Peter Ngene, Prof. Krijn P. de Jong
Discipline group Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Work load 7.5 ECTS Semester 1, period 1 Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl Work form Lectures, tutorials, class room experiments, and literature study
Materials Lecture notes, literature, handouts or overheads.
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 be able:
to have knowledge and insight in the synthesis of heterogeneous
catalysts and related nanostructured materials
to critically evaluate scientific literature
to formulate clear questions
to give a short presentation about recent developments in the field
Course content
In about 80% 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. One 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 another part, methods for
synthesis of catalytically active metal nanoparticles will be studied in detail. Since nanometer scale structural features (micro- and mesoporosity of the
support, catalyst 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 a catalyst structure, which can lead to improved catalyst performance.
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Contact hours: 48 hours
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Photon Physics (P)
Course code
(Osiris)
NS-NM427M
Coordinator Prof. Dr. P. van der Straten (030-2532846); [email protected]
Lecturers Prof. Dr. P. van der Straten, Dr. D. van Oosten
Discipline group Nanophotonics
Work load 7.5 ECTS
Semester 2
Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl
Work form Lectures, working group, problem-solving sessions, lab tour, presentations on recent papers
Materials Laser Physics, Simon Hooker and Colin Webb, Oxford University
Press, Year 2010, ISBN 978-0-19-850692-8 (paperback)
Evaluation Assignment, presentations, papers
Level M (master)
Entry
requirements
Knowledge of optics, quantum mechanics, solid-state physics
Course aims
After following the course you have a detailed knowledge about lasers and their applications in science. In more detail:
After the course you have in-depth knowledge of the interaction of light with matter on a fundamental level and can apply this knowledge to the most fundamental systems.
After the course, you will have in-depth knowledge on laser action and techniques and can use this knowledge to select the most appropriate
laser system for a specific task/research. After the course, you understand applications of lasers in science and
technology and can discuss their merits in a physics context.
Course content
Physics in the last three decades has benefitted enormously from the extraordinary properties of lasers. In this course, the principles of lasers will
be discussed in terms of their fundamentals on which they are based, but also in terms of the techniques, which are used to construct them. The
interaction of light and matter plays an important role and this will be discussed in detail. In the second part of the course, current research will be treated in which lasers play an essential role, like non-linear optics and the
interaction of light with nanostructures. In the final part you will make a presentation of a recent article in the field of light-matter interactions, nano-
photonics or non-linear optics.
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Physics of Light and Electron Microscopy Course code (Osiris)
NS-EX417M
Coordinator Dr. Gerhard Blab, [email protected], (030-253 2409), Lecturers Dr. Gerhard Blab and guest lecturers Discipline group Soft Condensed Matter & Biophysics Work load 4.5 ECTS
Semester 1 Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl Work form Lectures and guest lectures, excercises, practical session, Materials 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
“Topics in Light and Electron Microscopy” consists of two independent master courses of 4.5 EC and 3 EC, 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
Course aims
After completion of the course, the student is expected to understand the principles of image formation with photons and electrons
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
electron microscopy
- physics of imaging with electrons
- 3D reconstructions using electron tomography
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- 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.
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Application of Light and Electronmicroscopy
Course code (Osiris)
NS-EX419M
Coordinator Dr. Gerhard Blab, [email protected], (030-253 2409), Lecturers Dr. Gerhard Blab
Discipline group Soft Condensed Matter & Biophysics Work load 3 ECTS Semester 1 Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl Work form tutorials, seminar, project Materials
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 should: 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
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Toy Models in Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Course code
(Osiris)
Sk-MTOYM
Coordinator Prof. W.K. Kegel (030-253 2873), [email protected] Lecturers Prof. W.K. Kegel, Prof. H. Stoof, Prof. R. de Boer, Prof.
P. Hogeweg, dr. K. Ten Tusscher
Work load 7.5 ECTS
Semester 2, block 4 Enrolment https://www.osiris.uu.nl Work form Lectures, problem classes, assignment with a presentation
Materials Handouts Evaluation Level M (master) Entry requirements -
Course aims To introduce natural science and life science students 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.
Learning objectives
After this course Master students of natural science and life science are able to do basic calculations using the most prominent toy models in biology,
chemistry and physics, and transform complex problems into the simple mathematical rules that serve as input in these models.
Moreover, students are able to critically read and understand the modern scientific literature on modeling complex behavior in the language of toy models in general.
Course content
Global course description. ‘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.
Detailed course description
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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. Simple ODE models in biology. Understanding complex systems with
simple models. Bifurcations and bistability. Learn to think the
unthinkable. Tools: Formulation of toy models, phase plane analysis,
steady state analysis, Lotka Volterra model. (Rob de Boer)
3. Pattern formation: Turing models and their application in development
and ecology. Tools: elementary analysis of ODEs, linear algebra,
steady state stability analysis based on Jacobian of linearized system
(Kirsten ten Tusscher)
4. The ‘random walk’ and applications in diffusion, polymer statistics and
rare events. Tools: basic statistics (Willem Kegel)
5. 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)
6. Simple Cellular Automata and individual based models in biological
evolution. Understanding complex systems and counterintuitive
dynamics by local interactions and self-organisation. Tools: Basic
theory of Cellular automata, mesoscale patterns. Replicator equations,
Hypercycles, RP systems. Computational analysis. (Paulien
Hogeweg)
Contact hours
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2.3. Secondary elective courses There are several options to choose for 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 towards the internship.
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
programme director 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.
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: http://students.uu.nl/en/science/nanomaterials-chemistry-and-
physics/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: http://www.uu.nl/en/research/complex-systems-studies/education/masters-
profile The basic principle is that you discuss any course that is not provided by your
study programme with your master’s coordinator or programme director. 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.
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2.4. Extra-curricular activity
Teaching in the Academia
This (new) course is intended to help student-assistants to effectively teach and
guide bachelor students with their tutorial and practical sessions. Each student will reflect upon his/her teaching and guidance activities. The module has one credit which will come above the 120 EC of the study
programme and will appear on the diploma supplement. A payed student-assistantship will only appear on the diploma when this module has been followed. This module will be given every block (2* 3 sessions of 2
hours). One module will be taught in English (block still needs to be defined). More content about learning objectives is given in the following paragraph. An
English translation will be provided once we receive information about the English taught module.
There are ample student-assistantships in the student chemistry laboratory for bachelor students. See for vacancies (in dutch): See: http://practicum.chem.uu.nl/sa/1617/index.html
Randvoorwaarden
3 bijeenkomsten van 2 uur; eerste bijeenkomst voorafgaand aan assisteren (week 1), tweede bijeenkomst kort na de start (week 3), derde bijeenkomst halverwege het blok (week 5).
Groep (eventueel twee groepen) van ca 15 studenten, zo mogelijk van verwante opleidingen
Studenten liefst voor het eerst assisterend. Leerdoelen Na de assistententraining is de assistent in staat: a. een werkcollege/practicum opdracht te analyseren wat betreft het gewenste leerproces bij de student b. vanuit een vraag van een student na te gaan bij welke stap de student ondersteund moet worden en hierbij rekening houden met verschillen tussen studenten c. de student zodanig te assisteren dat deze bewust wordt van de aanpak (metacognitie) d. een begrip of procedure op meerdere manieren uit te leggen e. het denkproces van de student te activeren door het actief stellen van vragen f. de student feedback te geven op zijn/haar functioneren g. bij te dragen aan een productieve werksfeer/werkomgeving en studenten zo nodig aanspreken op hun gedrag h. te beoordelen welke problemen besproken moeten worden met de coördinator i. te reflecteren op de ervaringen en hierbij de feedback van studenten, mede-assistenten en coördinator gebruiken
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3. Research project and/or internship
The research project and thesis
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. Our teaching and assessment methods, and expectations of the teachers are for many students from abroad different
than they are used to. 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 displayed in this guide, more specifically in section 4. You can get a lot of information of the actual
research topics by reading the websites of the research groups on the website of the Debye Institute of Nanomaterials Science. The URL of the Debye Institute is given in section 6.1.
Each research group has requirements concerning the theoretical background
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 you to do and to comply to
specific rules of each group. You are also expected to adher to the general principles of proper scientific behavior 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
16-17, two modules in scientific integrity will be taught: a module organized by the Graduate School of Natural Sciences and a module organised by the department of chemistry and implemented in the Academic Context Course.
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 that of the internship (see
lower). Research by its own nature has fairly no restraints in time. You could
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in principle endlessly continue 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 finishing 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 (mostly the professor), but in many cases it will be a PhD candidate. 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 self-evaluation report. In case of a fail is
given, we strongly advise you to look for a placement at another research group. The master coordinator is then the first person to contact.
The 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. All information needed to guide you during the research project, will be
written down. 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).
The Application Process At the start of your research project, you need to
fill out a Research Application form together with your supervisor, which
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 super visor, courses to be taken during the project, and assessment
criteria. The same procedure applies for the internship project (30EC) 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 4 signatures: one from you, your supervisor, the master’s
coordinator and the Board of Examiners. You send the application form,
once the signature of the master’s coordinator has been added, 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
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to you and add it in OSIRIS. The original version will be stored by Student
Affairs.
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 ion 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 ).
Assessment process 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 feed-back on
your work. It needs to be filled out by two examiners. In case your daily
supervisor is a PhD candidate (in Dutch “de promovendus” or “AIO”), he/she
cannot act as a formal examiner. The supervisor will send a completed form
to Student Affairs (Buys Ballot Building, room 183). You will receive a
message from student-affairs that your grade will be registered if you have
uploaded your final thesis to IGITUR. Instructions will be given a well.
The assessment of an MSc research project of 52,5 EC is divided in two
parts:
Part 1: 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-evaluation report written by the student him/herself.
A pass or a fail will be attributed for part 1. The self-evaluation report can be found at http://xxxxxxx
Part 2: Research and thesis: 37,5 EC
- Practical and theoretical work: 50%
- MSc Thesis on research: 25%
- Oral presentation on research: 12,5%
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.
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The internship
The internship is a smaller elective research project which you carry out in a company or in a research institute within the Netherlands or abroad. It is not
meant as a second (smaller) research project at another group of the Debye Institute. If you choose for this option (instead of taking courses or a profile), then we
strongly advise you to broaden your scientific knowledge in the field of chemistry. An internship abroad will also learn you to adapt to other cultures.
It could also be a stepping stone to a career in industry or leads to a decision to pursue a PhD position. Therefore we believe that ending your study with an internship enlarges your view on science, gives you more insight about
your future career and leaves a good impression on the skills and quality of Utrecht students to relevant employers.
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 world wide. 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.
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You will be guided by a super visor 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. You can use the same Application Form and put the appropriate credits on it.
Assessment process. The same form as for the research project 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.
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 advise you to carefully read all documents the company is asking you to sign.
Ownership of the work. By default, the university is owner of all
intellectual proprieties. However, companies will never 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.
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The internship thesis can be published in IGITUR under embargo or a second version needs to be written excluding the confidential information prior to
publication (under embargo) at IGITUR.
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4. Research group profiles of the Debye
Institute of Nanomaterials Science
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Condensed Matter and Interfaces
Prof. A. Meijerink, Prof. D. Vanmaekelbergh, Dr. C. de Mello Donega, Dr. I.
Swart
The research of the group 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 semiconductors. 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.
Main Collaborations: There is extensive collaboration between the CMI group and the other groups in the Debye Institute. On the national and
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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
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Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis
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 Dr. Pieter Bruijnincx, dr. Monica Barroso, dr.
Rosa Bulo, dr. Florian Meirer, dr. Peter Ngene, dr. Jovana Zecevic, and dr. Gareth Whiting. The basic challenge is to establish the relationship between
the structure and functionality 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 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.
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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. 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. Weckhuysen and Barroso are also interested in the design of new heterogeneous (photo)catalysts for the
production of solar fuels and the application of the advanced spectroscopic techniques to such reactions. 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.
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.
Collaborations and internships 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.
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For more details contact:
Dr. P. Bruijnincx (+31 6 22736354), [email protected];
or consult our website: http://www.inorganic-chemistry-and-catalysis.eu/
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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.
1. Research programme
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 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
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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.
2. Research project Coordinator: dr. J.T.B.H. Jastrzebski
Teachers: dr. J.T.B.H. Jastrzebski, dr. M.-E. Moret, dr. M. Otte, 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).
For more details contact: Dr. J.T.B.H. Jastrzebski (+31 30 253 1695), [email protected];
or consult the website: http://www.uu.nl/science/occ
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Physical and Colloid Chemistry
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 sheres. 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 cryo-genic 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 interests.
3. Development of theoretical models. Theory is an important part of almost all the projects in our group, and is not limited to colloids, providing ample
opportunities for students who (also) would like to persue theory (liever dan ‘purely theoretical..’ etc. 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.
Collaborations and internschips. 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.
Contact information:
Prof. Willem K. Kegel Prof. Albert P. Philipse Van 't Hoff Laboratory for Physical and Colloid Chemistry,
Debye Institute, Utrecht University,
Padualaan 8,
61
3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
Phone (+) 31 30 2532873/2391 E-mails: [email protected]; [email protected]
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Soft Condensed Matter and Biophysics (SCM&B)
The Biophysics section of the SCM&B program 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.
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More information can be found at: 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 m 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..
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Collaborations
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 and Assessment
A MSc research project of 60 ECTS 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. For more details contact:
Prof. H.C. Gerritsen (+31 30 2532824, [email protected]) Prof. A. van Blaaderen (+31 30 2532204, [email protected])
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5. Honours programmes
5.1. 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 courses 15 EC
Primary electives 22,5 EC
Secondary electives 37,5 EC
Research part 60 EC
Total 135 EC
Mandatory course
Academic Context Course (SK-ACCO): 6,5 EC Introducing natural sciences (GSNS-INTRO):0,5 EC Dilemmas of the scientist (FI-MHPSDIL; 0,5 EC): 0,5 EC
Adsorption, Kinetics and Catalysis (SK-MAKC): 7,5 EC
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Primary electives
Honours students take three courses (each 7,5 credits) from the Debye list
of primary courses which is given in section 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 with the
label C/P or P are needed. 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 programme director 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-Mxxx 15 EC Introduction to research and
initiating the research project
Part 2: SK-Myyy 37,5 EC Research project and thesis
Research paper/PhD
proposal: SK-Mzzz
7,5 EC
Successfully completing Part 1 <SK-MXXX> is a mandatory prerequisite to continue with Part 2 < SK-Myyy >. 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
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Matter and Biophysics group) or, with the permission of the programme director, 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 Program.
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.
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5.2. Honours programme Nanomaterials: Chemistry & Physics
Admission Criteria
The applicant should satisfy the admissions criteria for 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 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-ACCO) 6.5 EC
Introducing natural sciences (GSNS-INTRO) 0.5 EC Dilemmas of the scientist (FI-MHPSDIL) 0.5 EC
Adsorption Kinetics and Catalysis 7.5 EC
Primary electives Nanomaterials Science See section 1 for a list of courses. Note that courses labeled with a P can not be taken.
Mandatory Experimental Physics courses
Soft Condensed Matter Theory 7.5 EC
Experimental Quantum Physics 7.5 EC
Photon Physics 7.5 EC
Primary Electives Experimental Physics
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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 programme director.
Research part 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 honours programme in Nanomaterials:
Chemistry & Physics and (3) fulfill all of the other requirements to successfully complete the honours programme, must do a thesis project of
60 ECTS, 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 Thesis project part 2: 45 EC.
Mid-term reviews of honours students
The progress of honours students will be reviewed by the selection committee after 1 year of study and after completion of part 1 of the research project. Honours students should have obtained a minimum of 60
EC after 1 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.
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6. Appendix
6.1. On-line 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. This tool allows you to download course
schedules into your electronic agenda: https://betaplanner.science.uu.nl/
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 short after your graduation
unlike you prefer another date. In this case you should contact the student
affairs office. Their e-mail: [email protected].
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
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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, programme director, 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
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 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 hus turn chairing the master’s OAC of a 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 programme director, coordinator, study
counsellor in the next section. Their role is briefly explained here:
First direct all your questions to your programme coordinator.
Programme coordinator: 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 programme director in case you need his
permission.
Dr Annik van Keer: [email protected]
Programme director:
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.
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Study advisor: Marije de Jong will help you to overcome impediments (for
example financial, emotional, motivational problems) that could affect your
study progress.
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6.2. Names and Addresses
Director of Education
Prof. A. (Albert) P. Philipse
Physical and Colloid Chemistry
H.R. Kruytgebouw, room N 705
Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht
T:+31(0)30-2533518
Programme Coördinator
Dr. A.A.J. (Annik) Van Keer
Hans Freudenthalgebouw, room 3.10
Budapestlaan 6,
3584 CD Utrecht
T: +31 (0)6-1422 1436
Programme Admissions’ Board
Prof. Dr. A. P. Philipse
Dr. A.A.J. Van Keer
Information about Scholarships for
going abroad
Ms. L. (Liesbeth) Achterberg
Buys Ballot Gebouw, room 118
T:+31(0)30- 253 3704
Study advisor
A.M. (Marije) de Jong, MSc,
Buys Ballot Gebouw, room 1.23
T:+31(0)30-253 37 94
Student administration desk
(Onderwijs- en Studentenzaken)
Buys Ballot Gebouw, Room 1.84
Princetonplein 5
3584 CC Utrecht
T: +31(0)30-253 55 55
Monday-Friday from 9.00-15.30
Member Board of Examiners
Dr. I. (Ingmar) Swart;
T: +31(0)30-253 5164
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Copyright
University of Utrecht
Department of Chemistry
H.R. Kruytgebouw, Padualaan 8
3584 CH Utrecht
June 2016
Editor
Dr. Annik Van Keer
