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Engineering Sciences

See also the Graduate Program in Biotechnology.

Courselist

ENSC E-123 Laboratory Electronics: Digital Circuit Design (22098)

Spring term

Thomas C. Hayes, JD, Lecturer on Physics, Harvard University.

Class times: Thursdays beginning Jan. 28, 6-9:30 pm. Optional sections Sundays, noon-3 pm.

Course tuition: noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate credit $1,800.

Limited enrollment.

This course forms the digital half of a two-semester sequence that provides a lab-intensive survey of electronics (the analog half of the sequence is PHYS E-123a). It covers digital design, emphasizing microprocessors and microcontrollers as well as programmable logic devices, and provides an understanding of the fundamentals of computer circuitry. After examining analog-digital interfacing issues, students build a microcomputer from the chip level. They apply this computer first to assigned tasks, later to individual projects. The student's microcomputer is based on an 8051-derivative microcontroller, chosen because it allows an easy transition after the course is completed from the course's pedagogically useful "transparent" design (using external buses and memory) to practical single-chip implementations. Each meeting includes a laboratory session. Prerequisites: high school algebra and some familiarity with analog electronics. PHYS E-123a is not a prerequisite. (4 credits)

ENSC E-125 Introduction to Nanoscale Science and Technology (23349)

Spring term

Fawwaz Habbal, PhD, Senior Lecturer on Applied Physics, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University.
Marko Loncar, PhD, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering on the Gordon McKay Endowment, Harvard University.

Class times: Wednesdays beginning Jan. 27, 5:30-7:30 pm.

Course tuition: noncredit and graduate credit $1,800.

Nanosystems are emerging as a new frontier of science and technology. These systems are being incorporated into familiar products and exciting devices; some are yet to be imagined. Nanoscale systems are complex with properties that differ enormously from the familiar macro systems. Quantum mechanical effects dominate the properties of nanosystems and introduce new physical and chemical aspects that need to be understood and exploited. This new field integrates many aspects of physics, chemistry, and biology and has an impact on the future of energy and biomedical devices. This course introduces students to the many aspects of nanoscience and related physical phenomena. Topics include new physics and technology at the nanoscale, scaling of physical laws, material fabrication, characterizations at the nanoscale, and electrical conduction—macroscopic quantum tunneling, quantum "dots," nanotubes, and nanowires. Applications related to the future of energy and semiconductors, as well as medical devices, are discussed. Formerly ENSC E-140. (4 credits)

ENSC E-130 Fundamentals of Microfabrication with Applications to BioMEMS (13210)

Fall term

Fawwaz Habbal, PhD, Senior Lecturer on Applied Physics, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University.

Class times: Mondays beginning Aug. 31, 5:30-7:30 pm.

Course tuition: noncredit and graduate credit $1,800.

The goal of this course is to introduce the student to the world of miniaturization from the micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) point of view by providing a comprehensive introduction to the science and technology of microfabrication and its applications. We discuss methods, tools, and measuring devices to create submicron architectures, we present different types of lithography methods, and we review techniques for bonding and packaging. Applications of MEMS such as sensors, actuators, and accelerometers, as well as microfluidics and systems for bioMEMS are discussed. (4 credits)

ENSC E-150 Introduction to Nanobiotechnology: Concepts and Applications (12806)

Fall term

Anas Chalah, PhD, Director of Instructional Technology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University and Research Fellow, Harvard Medical School.

Class times: Wednesdays beginning Sept. 2, 5:30-7:30 pm.

Course tuition: noncredit and graduate credit $1,850.

Online option available. Lecture 1 video.

Nanobiotechnology is a new frontier for biology with important applications in medicine. It bridges areas in physics, chemistry, and biology and is a testament to the new areas of interdisciplinary science that will become dominant in the twenty-first century. This course provides perspective for students and researchers who are interested in nanoscale physical and biological systems and their applications in medicine. It introduces concepts in nanomaterials and their use with biocomponents to synthesize and address larger systems. Applications include systems for visualization, labeling, drug delivery, and cancer research. Technological impact of nanoscale systems, synthesis, and characterizations of nanoscale materials are discussed. Prerequisite: introductory courses in chemistry, physics, and biology; an introductory course in nanoscale science would be helpful. (4 credits)

ENSC E-151 Nanotechnology for Drug Discovery and Delivery (13426)

Fall term

David C. Bell, PhD, Lecturer on Applied Physics, Harvard University.

Class times: Wednesdays beginning Sept. 2, 7:35-9:35 pm. Required sections to be arranged.

Course tuition: graduate credit $1,800.

Limited enrollment.

This is a hands-on laboratory that allows students to use and explore the nanoscale world with leading edge research equipment. It includes sample preparation of biological materials as well as training to use optical fluorescence, scanning, and transmission electron microscopes to examine the nanoscale world. Prerequisite: ENSC E-150, which may be taken concurrently. (4 credits)

ENSC E-155 Fundamentals of Microfluidics with Applications in Biological Analysis and Discovery (22768)

Spring term

Fawwaz Habbal, PhD, Senior Lecturer on Applied Physics, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University.
Anas Chalah, PhD, Director of Instructional Technology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University and Research Fellow, Harvard Medical School.

Class times: Mondays beginning Jan. 25, 5:30-7:30 pm.

Course tuition: noncredit and graduate credit $1,800.

Advancements in the study of microfluidic components and systems have created a new class of tools and devices. These devices are convenient platforms to study chemical and biochemical analysis and, as a consequence, applications in biology have been on the rise. In this course we introduce the science and technology of miniaturization and its applications in creating microfluidic devices. We discuss methods, tools, and measuring devices to create microfluidic systems. Different types of lithography methods are presented with hands-on experiences for creating simple devices. We discuss fluid flow and fluid characteristics in microchannels as well as the components for controlling fluid flow. We also discuss applications to cellular analysis including nucleic acids analysis, DNA hybridization and sequencing, and protein analysis. Prerequisite: PHYS E-1b, or the equivalent, and some knowledge of biology. (4 credits)

ENSC E-156 Microfluidics Applications for Biological Analysis and Discovery (23272)

Spring term

David C. Bell, PhD, Lecturer on Applied Physics, Harvard University.

Class times: Mondays beginning Jan. 25, 7:35-9:35 pm. Required sections to be arranged.

Course tuition: graduate credit $1,800.

Limited enrollment.

This is a laboratory course that allows students to fabricate samples and a microfluidic device of their own. The course covers the concepts of design, testing, and prototyping for a microfluidic device, and also incorporates basic microscopy training for biological materials. Prerequisite: ENSC E-155, which may be taken concurrently. (4 credits)

ENSC E-162 Nanoscale Optics with Applications in Biotechnology (13403)

Fall term

Marko Loncar, PhD, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering on the Gordon McKay Endowment, Harvard University.

Class times: Thursdays beginning Sept. 3, 5:30-7:30 pm.

Course tuition: noncredit and graduate credit $1,800.

Topics in this course include optical waveguides and resonators, metamaterials and photonic crystals, and surface-plasmons; optical properties of biological tissues—scattering and absorption; single-molecule sensing and spectroscopy; NSOM and AFM; optical tweezers and scissors; confocal microscopy, TIRF, CARS, and OCT. A review of classical electromagnetism and solid-state devices (for example, light-sensors, lasers, LEDs) is also provided. (4 credits)

ENSC E-165 Engineering of Nanostructures for Targeted Drug Delivery (23245)

Spring term

Anas Chalah, PhD, Director of Instructional Technology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University and Research Fellow, Harvard Medical School.

Class times: Wednesdays beginning Jan. 27, 5:30-7:30 pm.

Course tuition: noncredit and graduate credit $1,800.

This course describes the emerging role of nanostructures in drug development activities. It covers the most current nano techniques applied by the pharmaceutical industry to engineer shuttling mechanisms for delivering previously failed drug molecules. Throughout the course, students learn the basic principles of drug likeness, the rule of five for drug design, and the effect of these principles on excluding a wide range of chemical structures. The course focuses on methods of nanostructures' surface functionalization, immobilization, engineering of stealth nano vehicles for cellular delivery, as well as the use of quantum dots for nuclear and cytoplasmic visualization. Examples of FDA approved nanodrugs in addition to nano formulations at the pre-clinical and clinical stages are discussed. Prerequisites: basic background in chemistry, biochemistry, and biology highly recommended. (4 credits)



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