NG3S918 - Semiconductors 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2025 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: NG3S918
Module Title: Semiconductors
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Information and Electronics
Faculty Sub Group: Electronics
Module Leader: Peter Rees
Module Team: Nigel Copner, Kang Li
First Intended Intake: SEP 2019 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100163 - electrical and electronic engineering
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2025

Module Aims

Module Aims
• To develop an appropriate body of knowledge around semiconductors principles of operations and methods of fabrication.

Content Summary

Semiconductor materials /intrinsic/extrinsic
Properties of semiconductors-
Variable electrical conductivity, heterojunctions, excited electrons/energy bands/fermi/electrons and holes, carrier generation and recombination, light emission.
Materials-
Crystal lattice and bandgap engineering: group 14 (silicon, germanium)
Binary compounds (Gallium Arsenide, Silicon carbide, Gallium Nitride)
Ternary - AlGaAs, InGaN
Quaternary - InGaAsP
Semiconductor wafer processes:
Thermal oxidation (silicon dioxide gate insulator/field oxide
Photomasks/photolithography (circuit patterning IC) ultraviolet.
Etching/plasma
Diffusion/doping (pn junctions)
Semiconductor device construction and properties:
PN junction diode, Schottky Barrier, Zener Diodes, Transistors
Field effect transistors (FET/mosfets/mesfets/jfets)
LED’s, VCSELs and lasers.
Microwave, power transistors and MEMS.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 24
Practical classes and workshops 24
Independent Study 94
Directed Study 58
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 To acquire and demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of methods of fabrication relevant to the semiconductor industry.
LO2 To acquire and demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of semiconductors, their classification and applications.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch) Lab assignment 0 1500 50 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 End of year examination 120 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch)
Onsite Closed Book Examination 1

Reading List

Zant, P.V., 1990. A practical guide to Semiconductor Processing. and, 48, p.46.

Geng, H., 2005. Semiconductor manufacturing handbook. McGraw-Hill, Inc..