| Unit name | Photonics |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EEMEM0003 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Cryan |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
Photonics is one of the most important underpinning technologies of the modern age. It powers the internet through optical fibres and is used to create light sources such as LEDs and lasers. It is used in solar cells, cameras, medical technologies and a wide range of other important applications. Future technologies such as photonic computing, quantum computing, communications and sensing will also rely on the fundamentals taught in this unit.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit is mandatory for the relevant PGT programmes of study and optional on undergraduate programmes. In all programmes of study, the unit narrates the role of both classical and quantum devices within the broader network, and readies students for an engineering future aligned to the future of the internet.
An overview of content
This module introduces the main components of modern-day optoelectronic systems. This will include the key passive components such as optical waveguides, fibres and filters. It will include active devices for the generation, detection, amplification and modulation of optical signals and will cover some advanced topics such as photonic crystals, electromagnetic modelling, fabrication methods and non-linear optics.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students who successfully engage with this unit will learn how to design and analyse photonics devices and small sub-systems. They will be aware of future developments and be able to plan for the impact of emerging disruptive technologies.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit the student will be able to:
A blend of live lectures and pre-recorded asynchronous videos will be used to cover the content of the unit. The independent study of the problem sheets is accompanied by the drop-in sessions with continuous feedback and improvement to enhance your studies.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will have a number of problem sheets, with examples drawn from the lectures. There will be a mixture of the classic pen-and-paper problems to support you in developing a quantitative sense of the range of photonic devices and sub-systems. Formative feedback will be provided on a regular basis during optional “drop-in” sessions.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The unit will be assessed by a single exam. The exam will assess all Learning Outcomes.
When assessment does not go to plan
In the event of unsatisfactory performance in the examinations, there may be an opportunity to resit an exam of a similar nature during the reassessment period.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EEMEM0003).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
