BMET5944: Semester 2, 2026

Units BMET5944 Semester 2 2026 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

BMET5944: Nanofabrication and Bioinspired Materials

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This unit introduces the foundation concepts of nanobiotechnology, nanofabrication and bio-inspired materials. It also covers the basic physics of the solid state nanocrystals, their synthesis and functionalisation, and the unique properties of nanomaterials; characterisation techniques of materials, as well as their applications including in biodiagnostics and wearable bioelectronics.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Biomedical Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	1000-level materials science and mechanics
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Wenlong Cheng, wenlong.cheng@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam	Final exam Final Exam	40%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Weekly tutorial quiz A short quiz worth 1% will be held during each weekly tutorial. The best 10 quiz results will be used to calculate your total quiz mark for the unit.	5%	Multiple weeks	10 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Experimental design	Lab Report You will work in a group to undertake experiment on nanocrystal-based wearable sensor. You need to develop individual lab report due one week after your lab sessions.	25%	Multiple weeks	4hour	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Literature Review A research project on a subject relevant to course	10%	Week 12	20 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Literature review project presentation QnA QnA session for the accompanying presentation	5%	Week 13	~5 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Literature review project presentation Presentation on the literature review topic	15%	Week 13	~10 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Final exam individual assessment (40%)

Individual lab report (25%)

Group literare review (10%)

Group presentation of literature reivew (20%)

Tutorial mini individual quizzes (5%)

Assessment criteria

Final grades in this unit are awarded at levels of HD for High Distinction, DI for Distinction, CR for Credit, PS for Pass and FA for Fail as defined by University of Sydney Assessment Policy.

Details of the Assessment Policy are available on the Policies website at http://sydney.edu.au/policies. Standards for grades in individual assessment tasks and the summative method for obtaining a final mark in the unit will be set out in a marking guide supplied by the unit coordinator.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	Weekly Tutorials (Weeks 2-12)	Tutorial (2 hr)
Multiple weeks	Lab	Practical (4 hr)
Week 01	Introduction to Nanotechnology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Top-down fabrication	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Top-down fabricated microfluidic chips	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Bottom-up fabrication and Synthesis of nanocrystals	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	AI-guided materials synthesis	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Bio-inspired materials	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Bio-inspired dental materials	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Electronic skin and wearable bioelectronics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Wearable cantilever sensors	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	AI-assisted Diagnosis of Autism	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	DNA Nanotechnology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Cardiac Organoids	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lectures are not compulsory to attend and are recorded for students who have timetable clashes. It is strongly recommended that you do attend lectures if you are able for better interactions with lecturers and guest speakers.

Attendance at practical laboratories and tutorials is important as they are not recorded.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Nanotechnology Fundamentals: Explain the fundamental concepts of nanotechnology and describe how nanoscale dimensions influence the physical, chemical, biological, and engineering properties of materials and devices.
LO2. Nanofabrication Techniques: Explain and compare the operating principles, advantages, limitations, and applications of top-down and bottom-up nanofabrication approaches, including photolithography, electron beam lithography, focused ion beam lithography, nanoimprint lithography, soft lithography, and nanocrystal synthesis.
LO3. Structure–Property–Function Relationships: Analyse how material composition, hierarchical structures, surface chemistry, and fabrication methods determine the functional performance of nanomaterials, bio-inspired materials, microfluidic systems, and wearable bioelectronic devices.
LO4. Bio-inspired Engineering Design: Explain how biological systems work, and evaluate their applications in healthcare, dentistry, robotics, sensing, and sustainable manufacturing.
LO5. Emerging Technologies: Evaluate emerging technologies, including AI-guided materials discovery, DNA nanotechnology, electronic skins, wearable bioelectronics, organ-on-chip systems, and cardiac organoids, for future biomedical and engineering applications.
LO6. Problem Solving: Apply nanofabrication, nanomaterials, and bio-inspired design principles to propose engineering solutions for real-world challenges in healthcare, diagnostics, flexible electronics, and advanced manufacturing.
LO7. Project and Team Skills: Critical thinking in the literature review, and ability to work in a team for the assignments and the group project.
LO8. Research Communication: Demonstrate effective scientific communication by critically evaluating current literature, engaging in discussions with field experts, and presenting technical information through written reports and oral presentations.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered since 2021.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

University lab rules

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links