Application deadline

Registration deadline in StudentWeb for PhD students and students at the Student Research Program at Uit - The Arctic University of Norway: September 1st

Application deadline for other applicants: June 1st. Application code in SøknadsWeb is 9303

Type of course

PhD course. This course is available for both PhD program students and course students.

PhD students as well as students at the Student Research Program at UiT register for the course through StudentWeb.

Application deadline for other applicants is 1 June. Application code in 9303 in Søknadsweb. The course code (FAR-8043) is written in the remark field

The course is organized by the Department of Pharmacy and the National PhD School of Pharmacy (NFIF).

Admission requirements

PhD students or holders of a Norwegian master´s degree of five years or 3+ 2 years (or equivalent) may be admitted. PhD students must upload a document from their university stating that they are registered PhD students. This group of applicants does not have to prove English proficiency and are exempt from semester fee.

Holders of a Master´s degree must upload a Master´s Diploma with Diploma Supplement / English translation of the diploma. Applicants from listed countries must document proficiency in English. To find out if this applies to you see the following list:https://www.nokut.no/en/surveys-and-databases/nokuts-country-database/GSU-list/

Proficiency in English must be documented - list of countries

For more information on accepted English proficiency tests and scores, as well as exemptions from the English proficiency tests, please see the following document: Proficiency in English - PhD level studies

Recommended preparatory course: FAR-3043 or Biomedical background.

Course content

Nanotechnology has emerged as distinct discipline with integrated, multidisciplinary and specialized scientific topics. This course focuses on recent developments in the field of nanomedicine from physical basics, biological aspects, medical applications and concerns related to manufacturing, reliability and safety of nano-scale medicines.

The course structure is as follows:

1) Nanotechnology: concept, current status 2) Nanomedicine: concept, current status 3) Nanotechnology in medicinal imaging: smarter diagnostic modalities a) microfluidics and nanoarrays b) fluorescent labels and imaging c) local probes and high-resolution imaging d) targeted imaging 4) Nanoscale technology: technological platforms used in manufacturing of nano-sized systems 5) Polymers and materials used in micro- and nano-fabrication: nanocoatings and nanostructured surfaces for medical application 6) Nanosized drug delivery systems a) lipid vesicles b) polymer-based delivery c) nanocrystals d) nanoshells e) non-injectable nanovectors 7) Intelligent therapeutics: concept of "smart drugs" a) intelligent biomaterials (responsive hydrogels and configurationally imprinted biomimetic polymers) b) nano-fabrication techniques for intelligent therapeutics c) diagnostic-sensing systems d) tissue engineering e) recognitive systems 8) Limitations and perspectives 9) Nanotechnology and human future: policy, ethics and safety issues Parts 3,4,5,7 and 8 will be taught only in FAR-8043.

Objectives of the course

The course aims to achieve the following learning goals. By the end of the course, attendants should

Knowledge

-on how to design, develop and characterize drug delivery system based on nanotechnology (nanomedicine)

-on how to optimize the selected nanomedicine in regard to the therapeutic outcome as well as toxicity issues

-on how to adjust the nanomedicine to the site of drug administration and achieve drug targeting

-on how to critically evaluate the marketed products and the potentials of novel nanomedciine

-on how to involve and actively participate in discussions on limitations and promises of nanotechnology and nanomedicine

Skills

-be able to participate in designing nanomedicine with superior properties

-be able to select most appropriate methods to fully characterize the nanomedicine

-be able to evaluate the marketed products and novel delivery systems

General competence

-understand the relevant l literature, with emphasis on newest advancements

-be able to critically evaluate interplay between therapeutic benefits and toxicity issues of nanomedicine

-be able to apply theoretical knowledge in design of novel nanomedicine for targeted therapy

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

Assessment

Work requirements:  Mandatory participation in course activities

• Mandatory lectures and seminars as one week-intensive course
• The course attendants will have to prepare an assignment prior to written exam on a given topic. The assignment should include presentation of research question(s), hypothesis, newest literature survey and critical interpretation of findings. Ethical aspects and own perspectives on the topic will be included.

Exam: Completion of the course will be in form of an in-depth scientific evaluation.

Grading scale: pass/fail

Resit exam: In the event that an exam is evaluated as not passed, there will be an opportunity to submit a revised exam paper at the beginning of the next semester. Application deadline for the continuation exam will be agreed with the examination office.