Module: Semiconductor Devices

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Semiconductor Devices
Module Code	PHY1006 (ITS: PS478L)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Physical Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

To introduce the student to the physics of solid state electronic devices and to their application. To introduce the student to semiconductor devices, electronic logic and digital devices

Learning Outcomes

1. measure and encode information in various digital formats.
2. Explain basic and combinational logic components, design, analysis and implementation of combinational logic circuits.
3. Explain the principles of sequential logic, memory elements and simple sequential circuits.
4. design circuits for instrumentation and measurement.
5. Derive relevant equations from basic laws and principles.
6. Solve numerical problems, from information provided, on the topics covered
7. Discuss the importance of microelectronic revolution based on the development of semiconductor devices.
8. Discuss the impact of these devices in industrial and academic contexts.
9. Discuss the basis of logic and its implementation using electornic devices.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	2 hours of asychronous lectures per week accessed as pre-recorded videos
Online activity	24	2 hours of scheduled synchronous online activities per week.
Tutorial	24	Student learning support facilitated through small-group tutorials with flexible provision.
Independent Study	53	Student self directed learning
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20025	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Eilish McLoughlin	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Completion of online activity	Solve physics problem based on mathematical/quantitative aspects of module concepts.	50%	As required
In Class Test	Solve physics problem based on mathematical/quantitative aspects of module concepts.	50%	Once per semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Conduction in solids
elementary band theory of conductors, semiconductors and insulators, doping; donor and acceptor impurities, intrinsic and extrinsic conduction, majority and minority charge carriers.

The PN junction
junction diode and applications, Zener diode, the bipolar transistor; transistor action, applications, the emitter amplifier, early effect; the field effect transistor, JFET, MOSFET, characteristics and application in simple circuits.

Combinational Logic
Binary Logic, Logic functions; AND, OR, NOT; Truth table; Boolean Algebra; Boole Boolean postulates and theorems, De Morgan; Logic gates - complete set; NAND and NOR implementations of logic functions; Multiple-input gates.

Sequential Logic
Memory, feedback, synchronous/asynchronous, Flip-flops, Latches; basic SR latch, gated SR Latch, D-type, Master-slave latch, JK Latch; Shift Registers, Counters, UART (block diagram).

Operational and Instrumentation amplifiers:
desirable characteristics, comparators, voltage reference, virtual earth, voltage follower, Nyquist Shannon sampling theorem.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Tocci, Widmer & Moss (: 2004, Digital Systems, 9th ed,, Pearson Education,
Katz, Randy H: 1993, Contemporary Logic Design, Addison Wesley,
Young and Freedman: 2020, University Physics with Modern Physics,, 15 Ed.,,, https://www.pearson.com/us/higher-education/program/Young-Modified-Mastering-Physics-with-Pearson-e-Text-Standalone- Access-Card-for-University-Physics-with-,
Eugenia Etkina, Gorazd Planinsic and Alan Van Heuvelen: 2019, College Physics: Explore and Apply,, 2nd Ed. [ISBN: 978- 01346018],

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: Simulations, Phet simulations,