| Unit name | Electromagnetics and Semiconductor Devices |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EEME20001 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Austin |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
“Analysis and Design of Electrical and Electronic Systems” or equivalent |
| 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?
Electromagnetism and Semiconductors lie at the heart of all the technologies that Electrical and Electronic Engineers will use over the next 50 years. Electromagnetism forms the basis of all mobile communication and radar systems and forms the basis for studying optical communications too. James Clerk-Maxwell discovered that Electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light and over the past 150 year we have learnt how to modulate them in more and more complex ways to transmit huge amounts of data over vast distances, this unit will help you to understand the basics of those ideas. Semiconductors enable the design of transistors which in turn lead to amplifiers, and oscillators that power all of the systems mentioned above. Here you will learn how to design simple amplifiers and oscillators that will prepare you for many different type of Electrical and Electronic Engineering topics.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit is in the second year of our EEE MEng and BEng programme
An overview of content
This unit will introduce the vector calculus knowledge required to understand and use Maxwell’s equations. It then moves on to transmission lines and the Telegrapher’s equations which allow understanding of concepts such as characteristic impedance and various types of transmission lines. Lastly, the antenna concept is introduced as a development from transmission line theory and, finally, Maxwell’s equations are used to study simple waveguides. The Semiconductor devices part of the unit starts with an introduction to the Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) and then goes on to design a number of different amplifiers including some discussion of power amplifiers. The Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) transistor is then studied and a set of amplifiers are designed. More advanced devices such as High Electron Mobility Transistors and Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors are then introduced and finally, a range of different type of oscillator circuits are introduced and design approaches are discussed.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students who successfully engage with this unit will learn how to use Maxwell’s equations and understand a range of important concepts related to transmission lines. They will be able to design a range of amplifiers and oscillator circuits.
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):
There will be a range of pen-and-paper problem sheets to support you in developing a deep understanding of the material. Extensive formative feedback will be provided on a regular basis during optional “drop-in” sessions. There will be formative laboratories exploring both CAD tools and practical aspects of the unit.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The unit will be assessed by a single exam paper. The exam will assess all Learning Outcomes.
When assessment does not go to plan
Re-assessment takes the same form as the original summative assessment.
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. EEME20001).
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.
