California Nanosystems Institute
in collaboration with UCLA Design | Media Arts
Sci | Art NanoLabJuly 16 - July 27, 2012
Curriculum
This program carries quarter units of Pass/No Pass UC credit.
Students will be officially enrolled into DESMA 6.
For the Sci | Art NanoLab, we are focusing on the possibilities of nanotechnology. Running in parallel with the NanoSystems Chemistry and Engineering Research (NanoCER) program at the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) and the Design | Media Arts Institute at the Broad Arts center, the Sci | Art NanoLab will offer students collaboration with top faculty and students participating in this program's team-based interdisciplinary nanotech research. Nanotechnology applications currently being studied involve optics, materials, and new devices.
Students will be introduced to a wide spectrum of possibilities of nanotechnology such as going beyond the powers of 10, nanomaterials, and applications of nanotech for the environment. Occurring in tandem with the D | MA program, young scientists have an opportunity to be visionary while building active relationships with artists. They will visit labs researching nanoscale biosensors and electronic materials, inorganic hybrid materials, energy storage, functional solids and gyroscopes, enzyme design and molecular containers and molecular nanostructures to name a few. Additionally, students will have hands-on experience with Atomic Force Microscopy and the Scanning Electron Microscopy at the Pico lab, directed by world-renowned nanoscientist James Gimzewski.
Complementing the lab visits and discussions on nanotechnology and science research, students will be exposed to art science projects that are inspired by nano and bio sciences. Science fiction movies will be screened in the evening. By mid-week they will be asked to pick a subject that they would like to think about and come up with an idea, either alone or in collaboration with a peer, that will be presented at the end of the week. Their proposals will be in the form of a PowerPoint presentation, simple Web site, or short video. One of the key skills future scientists need to learn is the ability to explain their ideas to those who will give them jobs or funding. We believe that their final projects will prove helpful in whatever discipline they decide to study in the future.
Essay Question
As part of the online application process, students will be asked to write a 500-word essay on one of the following topics:
- Choose a favorite sci-fi movie or book and tell us what ideas you find exciting
- If you plan to pursue the sciences as a major in college, tell us about your art or music interests
- If you plan to pursue the arts as a major in college, tell us about your interest in science and technology
Please note: students should compose the essay before beginning the online registration process. There will be a text field on the online form into which the essay text can be copied.
Syllabus and Schedule
View the scheduling information and schedule.
Grades
Program participants will earn units of credit on a pass/no pass grading basis and will be recorded on an official University of California transcript. Please note that official transcripts are not automatically sent to students. You can view more information about UCLA grading policies and how to acquire an official transcript.