School of Engineering and Technology, (SET)  
 
Semester Offering: August
 
AT79.02 : Impact of Nanotechnology on the Society  2(2-0) [Required course]
Course objectives:

With the onset of next generation of industrial revolution, students need to be sensibilised on the societal aspects of nanotechnology. This course attempts to discusses the impact that nanotechnology may have on our society.

 
Learning Outcomes:

Societal aspects, ethical implications, and global implications of nanotechnology on society

 
Pre-requisite(s):

None

 
Course Outline:

I.             Introduction to Societal Issues      
1.      Societal Implications - The Background          
2.      The Nano Perspective
                    
II.         Ethical Implications
1.      Ethics in the Context of Research and Applied Science                    
2.      Principle of Respect for Communities
3.      Ethics, Risk, and Nanotechnology: Responsible Approaches to Dealing with Risk
        
III.      Global Implications             
1.      Nanotechnology and the Poor: Opportunities and Risks for Developing Countries.
2.      Cultural Diversity in Nanotechnology Ethics
3.      Interaction of Law and Nanoscience    
4.      Nanotoxicology                
5.      Nanotechnology Risk Assessment                    
6.      Environmental Aspects of Nanotechnology    
7.      Factors Influencing Public Perception  
8.      Nano and Public Opinion Polls              
9.      A Call for Two-Way Communication   
 

 
Learning Resources:

Textbook:

Class Lectures

 
Reference Books:
1.      Nanotechnology, Ethics and Society By Deb Bennett-Woods (2008), CRC Press, ISBN: 978-1-4200-5352-4
2.      Nanotechnology & Society-Current and Emerging Ethical Issues, Allhoff, Fritz; Lin, Patrick (Eds.) 2008, XXXIV, 300 p., ISBN: 978-1-4020-6208-7
3.      Conversations With Scientists and Engineers About Ethics, Meaning, and Belief in the Development of Nanotechnology (2005), CRC Press, ISBN: 978-0-8058-4810-6
4.      Unbounding the Future: the Nanotechnology Revolution, Eric Drexler and Chris Peterson, with Gayle Pergamit William Morrow and Company, Inc., New Yorkn (http://www.foresight.org/UTF/Unbound_LBW/index.html)
 

 
Evaluation Scheme:

The final grade will be computed from mid-term exam (20%), final exam (40%), and assignments (40%). open-book examination is used for both mid-term and final exam.