CH4715 Functional Materials and Electrons in Solids

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Curricular information may be subject to change

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

To be arranged.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof F D Morrison

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Prof F D Morrison, Prof M Buck

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The module introduces the physical concepts of dielectrics, semiconductors, and metals. Electronic properties of interfaces and thin films which are fundamental to devices such as microprocessors, lasers in CD players, or solar cells will be discussed.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS CH2701 AND PASS AT LEAST 1 MODULE FROM {CH2501, CH2601, CH2603}

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU TAKE CH4458

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 100%

Re-assessment

Oral Re-assessment = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 - 3 lectures per week over 9 - 10 weeks (within Weeks 1-11) and 2 - 3 tutorials in total

Scheduled learning hours

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

Be familiar with concepts underlying inorganic and organic semiconductors and functional oxides
Understand models based on the localised and delocalised description of charge carriers.
Understand basic materials selection criteria and basic operating principles for elements in commercial devices such as non-volatile memories or light emitting diodes
Appreciate the influence of defect chemistry and doping on conductivity.