Clearing 2025

Our clearing vacancies will be live from the evening of Wednesday, 13 August. In the meantime, you can read our clearing guide on the clearing pages.

Master of Engineering (MEng)

MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Industrial Experience

*This course is now closed for applications for 2025 entry.

  • Duration: 5 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: H601 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Industrial experience
  • Scholarships available
  • Accredited course

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Course unit details:
Electronic Materials and Devices

Course unit fact file
Unit code EEEN11302
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 1
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This unit will cover the following topics:

  • Atomic structure, bonding and types of solids, crystal structure;
  • Band theory of solids, effective mass, fermi energy, ionisation potential and work function;
  • Electrical and thermal conduction in solids, The drude theory of metals, The Hall effect;
  • Semiconductors band gaps, holes and electrons, Energy diagrams in k-space (direct and indirect gaps), electrical conduction in semiconductors;
  • Intrinsic/Extrinsic semiconductors (n-type and p-type doping), defects in semiconductors, Temperature & impurity dependence of conductivity (drift mobility);
  • Diodes, Ebers-Moll equation and diode resistance, Rectifying circuits;
  • Field-Effect Transistors (FETs), properties of FET, FET amplifying circuits;
  • Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs), properties of BJT, BJT amplifying circuits.

Aims

The unit aims to:

  • Introduce the basic concepts of material science;
  • Describe the different type of atomic bonding in solids and crystal structure; 
  • Explain the band theory of solids and its connection to metal and semiconductor electrical and thermal properties; 
  • Explain the principles of amplification using electronic components; 
  • Describe the characteristics of electronic components and introduce the concept of functional flexibility; 
  • Explain the benefits of applying negative feedback in circuits using discrete devices.

Learning outcomes

On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

ILO: Explain fundamentals of atomic bonding and materials science. (Developed and Assessed)

ILO 2: Explain the fundamentals of electrical and thermal conduction in metals. (Developed and Assessed)

ILO 3: Calculate electrical properties of doped and undoped semiconductors from first principles. (Developed and Assessed)

ILO 4: Explain the characteristics of the most fundamental components in electronic circuits:  diodes and transistors. (Developed and Assessed)

ILO 5: Design basic diode circuits for different applications. (Developed and Assessed)

ILO 6: Design basic BJT and FET transistor circuits. (Developed and Assessed)

Teaching and learning methods

Pre-recorded videos are provided via CANVAS and are to be watched prior to lectures. These videos are supported by accompanying formative online quizzes.

Large group two-hour lectures are held weekly. Lecture material is provided electronically via CANVAS.

Two three-hour laboratory sessions are conducted in dry teaching lab, with the support of Teaching Assistants, to reinforce the key concepts covered in the course unit.

Bi-weekly small-group tutorials, led by Teaching Assistants, focus on technical discussions related to specific concepts covered in the course unit.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 10%
Written exam 70%
Report 20%

Written exam: 2 hours
Lab-based coursework: 6 hours
Bi-weekly tutorial questions: 3 hours

Feedback methods

Written exam: Exam marks provided following Examination Board.
Lab-based coursework: Feedback provided via CANVAS system within three weeks after the submission deadline.
Bi-weekly tutorial questions: Feedback provided via CANVAS system within one week after the submission deadline.

Recommended reading

Kasap, S.O. (2018). Principles of Electronic Materials and Devices. 4th edn. McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN: 9780078028182.

Sze, S.M. and Lee, M.K. (2013). Semiconductor Devices: Physics and Technology. 3rd edn. Wiley. ISBN: 9780470537947.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 22
Practical classes & workshops 6
Tutorials 3
Independent study hours
Independent study 69

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Huanqing Ye Unit coordinator
Matthew Halsall Unit coordinator
Aimin Song Unit coordinator

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