Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2020-2021 (archived)
Module ENGI3331: SEMICONDUCTORS PHYSICS AND DEVICES
Department: Engineering
ENGI3331: SEMICONDUCTORS PHYSICS AND DEVICES
| Type | Tied | Level | 3 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2020/21 | Module Cap | Location | Durham |
|---|
| Tied to | H100 |
|---|
Prerequisites
- • ENGI2181
Corequisites
- • None
Excluded Combination 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.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 42 | 2 per week | 1 hour | 42 | |
| Modelling lectures | 3 | 1 per week | 1 hour | 3 | |
| Modelling Laboratory sessions | 5 | 1 per week | 2 or 3 hours | 12 | ■ |
| Laboratories | 2 | Typically 1 per week | 3 hours | 6 | ■ |
| Office hours | as required | weekly sign-up sessions | up to 1 hour | 8 | |
| Preparation, reading and self study | 129 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Coursework | Component Weighting: 20% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Coursework | 100% | none | |
| Component: Examinations | Component Weighting: 80% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Examinations | 2 hours | 100% | None |
Formative Assessment:
Laboratories
■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University