ELECTRICAL SCIENCE I - 2021/2

Module Overview

Expected prior learning: None.

Module purpose: To understand the physics and engineering that underpins the operation of semiconductor devices and to use this to understand the operation of simple bipolar devices and MOS transistors.   In addition to understand the effects electric and magnetic fields and their interaction with matter within the discipline of electronic engineering.

Module provider

Computer Science and Electronic Eng

Module Leader

SHKUNOV Maxim (Elec Elec En)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes the following.

 

Part A - Electronic Materials

 

Structure of the atom (nucleus, electrons, shells). Ionic bonding (electrostatics). Covalent bonding, Metallic bonding (free electrons).  Band structure of insulators, metals and semiconductors.  The meaning of the Fermi level.

[4 lectures]

 

Intrinsic (Si, Ge) and extrinsic (donor/acceptor, n-type, p-type) semiconductors, carrier concentration. Density of states.  Basic band structure description of Direct/indirect semiconductors (absorption, emission, phonons).  Mobility and conductivity.

[4 lectures]

 

 

Two terminal devices: p-n junctions and diodes (structure and principles of basic operation, Zener, LED, photodiode). Current transport mechanisms.

[4 lectures]

 

Three terminal devices: basic physical principles of MOSFET and BJT Transistors, their structures, and electrical characteristics. 

[5 lectures]

 

 

Part B - Fields and Charges

 

Electrostatics: Electric charge, static electricity and current/Coulomb, Fields (conception of scalar vs basic vector) and field lines. Field strength and potential, potential gradients in uniform fields. Capacitance (fields, forces, energy) and dielectrics. Coulomb’s law (test charges, force vs strength vs potential, work moving charge). Gauss Law. Applications of electrostatics.

[8 lectures]

 

Magnetostatics: Permanent magnets (fields, attraction/repulsion etc) and dc currents (wires, solenoids etc). Magnetic field strength (solenoids, wires, right hand rule, perpendicular components, vector multiplications etc). Bio-Savart Law, Ampere's Law. The ampere (definition using two parallel wires). Coil meters and dc motors. Charged particles in magnetic fields. Hall effect. Applications of magnetic field phenomena.

[8 lectures]

 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

A student required to resit the TPAS unit of assessment is required to re-submit written answers to all TPAS questions relevant to the module. This re-submission is assessed by the TPAS Coordinator on a pass-fail basis only.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy for this module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the following.

·         A breadth of understanding of the underlying science that underpins the operation of 2 and 3 terminal electronic devices.  An understanding of processes involved and how they combine in the manufacture of modern integrated circuits.  An understanding of the interaction of electric and magnetic fields with matter. 

 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of the following.

·         Written examination – 2hrs (90%)

·         TPAS questions – throughout semester (10%)

 

Formative assessment and feedback

For the module, students will receive formative assessment/feedback in the following ways.

·         During lectures, by question and answer sessions

·         Through TPAS system

·         Via the marking of written reports, this is used for feedback not assessment

Module aims

• introduce the fundamentals of electric and magnetic fields, materials and their electronic properties.
• Show how the above can be used to explain the behavior of simple electronic and photonic devices
• Enable students from different educational backgrounds to reach a common level of knowledge and understanding.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to achieve the following aims.

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to allow the students to gain an understanding of the subject area.  At the end of sections the students complete short assessments through the TPAS system and through class tests.  This enables the lecturers to assess areas where there are problems.  These assessments involve peer review marking are returned with explanations so that the students are aware of areas where they are encountering problems and how to solve them.  Some of the assessments are by multiple choice questions while others are by longer exam style answers.  The teaching uses video clips so the students can see some of the background to the areas they are studying and the processes in industry and so gain an understanding of the bigger picture in which these devices operate.

 

Learning and teaching methods include the following.

• Lectures 2-3 lecture hours per week x 11 weeks (total 29 hours)


• Class discussion and problems 0-1 hours per week (total 4 hours)


• TPAS system of problem classes and peer review marking (total 11 hours)

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: EEE1034

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.