Course Title: Semiconductor Device Physics

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Semiconductor Device Physics

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

EEET2046

City Campus

Undergraduate

125H Electrical & Computer Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2016

EEET2046

City Campus

Undergraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2019,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023

EEET2152

City Campus

Postgraduate

125H Electrical & Computer Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 1 2016,
Sem 2 2016

EEET2152

City Campus

Postgraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023

EEET2605

RMIT University Vietnam

Undergraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

Viet2 2019,
Viet1 2021

Course Coordinator: Prof. Anthony Holland

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2150

Course Coordinator Email: anthony.holland@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 10.08.09

Course Coordinator Availability: email for appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

It is assumed that students have basic knowledge of the physics of electrical current and basic electronic components (e.g. resistor and capacitor) at first year undergraduate level having studied Engineering Science and Introduction to Electrical and Electronic Engineering or equivalents. 


Course Description

The course will focus on the physics of semiconductor devices and the principles of their operation. The courses will give you a solid understanding of aspects of electrical conduction in semiconductors. The major part of the course will be focus on current transport across semiconductor junctions, ohmic and Schottky junctions, pn diodes and the fundamentals of electrical characteristics of Field Effect and Bipolar Junction Transistors (FETs and BJTs). The use of transistor devices in and their design and optimisation for integrated circuit applications, nanoscale transistor dimensions and their effects as well as the physical limits to the scaling of semiconductor devices will be presented. The course will give students a clear understanding of the origins of the models used for designing semiconductor devices.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course develops the following program learning outcomes:

  1. Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. 
  2. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
  3. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
  4. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
  5. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.

 


On completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Explain the basic theory and operation of semiconductor devices used for integrated circuit applications.
  2. Describe the techniques used in optimising semiconductor device design. 
  3. Design the structure and properties of semiconductor materials for making diodes and transistors
  4. Solve complex interconnected problems
  5. Communicate findings through written reports.
  6. Work in a team environment with minimal direction from a supervisor.


Overview of Learning Activities

The course is to be based on a series lectorials, tutorials, simulation and laboratory activities and demonstrations. There will be a series of pre-recorded lectures covering the stated topics. Some laboratory sessions will be delivered on campus and others online. In addition, you are expected to undertake self-paced exercises on the topics presented. In summary, the delivery methods will cover the following:

Lectorial and tutorial presentations which allow student interaction and which align with recorded lecture presentations,

Self-paced exercises and problem solving work will focus on application of your learned knowledge of semiconductor physics

Supervised laboratory demonstrations and laboratory practice to enhance your technical competence. For students who cannot attend on campus, the demonstrations will be online. There will be simulation lab work which will be online for all students and is the focus of the lab report assessment.


Overview of Learning Resources

You will be able to access course information and learning materials through RMIT University's online systems, including lecture notes, tutorials, assessment examples and videos prepared by the teaching staff.  

Lists of relevant reference texts, resources in the library and freely accessible internet sites will be provided.  



 


Overview of Assessment

☒This course has no hurdle requirements.

One multiple choice class quiz.
One class test.
One report on laboratory assignments is due at the end of semester.
One end-of-semester take-home written assignment.  

(For RMIT Vietnam students, please check with your local course coordinator for the composition of assessment there.) 

Assessment Tasks (showing relevant Course Learning Outcomes - CLOs)

Early Assessment Task: Class Quiz 
Weighting 20% (twenty percent of course marks) 
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 

Assessment Task 2: Class Test 
Weighting 25% (twenty five percent of course marks) 
This assessment task supports CLOs 2, 3, 4, 5 

Assessment Task 3: Laboratory Report 
Weighting 25% (twenty five percent of course marks) 
This assessment task supports CLO 4, 5, 6 

Assessment Task 4: Written Assignment 
Weighting 30% (thirty percent of course marks) 
This assessment supports CLOs 3, 4, 5 

Students will receive feedback on their progress in the course following the class quiz, class test and laboratory practice.