Hey everyone! This week I’m back to talk about my favorite class of the semester. You may have a good idea of which class I chose based on a previous tweet that I sent:
It's easy waking up for an 8 AM class when this is your professor: http://t.co/AmJksPxK9h #ViterbiFaculty #science @PopSci
— Zach Gima (@ZTakeo) September 17, 2013
An 8AM class is my favorite class of the semester!?! You heard correctly. Nanostructured Materials: Design, Synthesis, and Processing is THAT great. I am interested in pursuing doctorate studies related to nanostructure materials for energy, which makes this class all the more interesting and applicable for my academic/professional career path. That being said, the professor is what really makes this class stand out above all others.
Professor Andrea Armani – recipient of an MIT 35 Under 30 award and now the Popular Science Annual Brilliant Ten!!
I first had Professor Armani as my Freshman Academy coach. I also attended a conference that she was invited to my junior year.
With Prof. Armani at the NAE Global Grand Challenges Summit in London
Needless to say, I’ve been waiting to take her class and fortunately this semester it fit perfectly with all of my other classes. In the class we learn about the past and most-recent developments in the world of nanotechnology. What’s awesome about the class is that the majority of the course content is derived directly from the top scientific papers in the field concerning nanoparticles, quantum dots, polymers etc., and dictated to us from one of the best in the field–Prof. Armani! In addition to learning about these novel materials, we have also had labs where we have synthesized and characterized gold nanoparticles and nanorods as well as quantum dots.
From my previous gold nanoparticles lab report, studying the growth kinetics of nanoparticles.
This class just has it all. Pertinent and fascinating course content delivered by one of the top scientists in the field as well as extremely practical lab experience where we replicate established synthesis techniques and learn characterization techniques. Anyways, I actually have to go study for this class’s upcoming midterm so wish me luck!
