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ENGI3331: SEMICONDUCTORS PHYSICS AND DEVICES

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Tied
Level 3
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Engineering

Prerequisites

  • ENGI2181

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • As specified in the Programme Regulations

Aims

  • This module is designed solely for students studying Department of Engineering degree programmes.
  • To introduce the basic concepts of materials for electronic devices and physics of semiconductor devices including material structure, band theory, junction phenomena and devices.
  • To study integrated circuit fabrication technology and their application to devices
  • To study the analytical development and fabrication of a transistor: the device itself, its implementation in digital logic elements and the fabrication techniques needed to assemble large numbers of transistors into a modern integrated circuit.

Content

  • Semiconductor Physics and Devices, Modelling of Electronic Devices.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • In-depth knowledge and understanding of fundamental engineering concepts, principles, theories and mathematics relevant to Semiconductor Physics and Devices;
  • Practical application of engineering principles

Subject-specific Skills:

  • To critically analyse, evaluate and interpret engineering data;
  • To apply specialised engineering knowledge to the solution of complex problems in an engineering or industrial context;
  • Preparation and delivery of technical reports.

Key Skills:

  • Capacity for self-learning in familiar and unfamiliar situations;
  • Numerical skills appropriate to an engineer;
  • Time and resource management;
  • General problem solving skills.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The courses in Semiconductor Physics and Devices are taught in lectures and reinforced by embedded problem sheets, leading to the required problem solving capability. Assessment is through written examination which enables each student to demonstrate an ability to analyse and solve new problems.
  • Students are able to make use of staff Office Hours to discuss any aspect of the module with teaching staff on a one to one basis. These are sign-up sessions available for up to one hour per week.
  • The coursework in Modelling of Electronic Devices is based in the School of Engineering and Computing Sciences. Students are faced with new and complex problems which provide the opportunity for them to enhance their problem solving skills with a particular emphasis on industrial relevance. Assessment is by written report.
  • The following Laboratory Class relate to content taught in this module: E35 MOS Transistor.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures422 per week1 hour42 
Modelling lectures31 per week1 hour3 
Modelling Laboratory sessions51 per week2 or 3 hours12Yes
Laboratories13 hours3Yes
Office hoursas requiredweekly sign-up sessionsup to 1 hour8 
Preparation, reading and self study132 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: CourseworkComponent Weighting: 20%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Coursework 100none
Component: ExaminationsComponent Weighting: 80%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Online exam2 hours100None

Formative Assessment

Laboratories

More information

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