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PHYC20090

Academic Year 2024/2025

Electronics and Devices (PHYC20090)

Subject:
Physics
College:
Science
School:
Physics
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Pam Sooriyan
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The module will cover the physics of electronics and devices.
Students will study circuits, complex impedance, Ohm's law, Kirchoff’s laws, elementary crystallography, X-ray diffraction and Bragg’s law, Drude’s classical theory of conduction, the Hall effect, passive components (resistors (and resistor networks), capacitors), semiconductors, the p-n junction, diodes, transistors, and operational amplifiers. Furthermore, the module will provide an introduction into Digital-Analog (DA) and (AD) converters, measuring data, and µ-controller (e.g. Arduino).

Devices studied will rely primarily on the physics covered in the module and includes photodiodes, LEDs, photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), amplifiers, solar cells and CCDs.


About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Students will gain a thorough understanding of the Physics of the electronics and devices covered in the module. Students will be able to solve problems requiring the application of the concepts encountered in the module and will get a deeper understanding of the physical measurement process and the electronics involved.

Indicative Module Content:

Underlying Physics:
Elementary crystallography,
X-ray diffraction and Bragg’s law,
Drude’s classical theory of conduction,
Hall effect,

Electronic components:
Passive components (resistors (and resistor networks), capacitors),
Active components: semiconductors, the p-n junction, diodes, transistors, and operational amplifiers.

Circuits:
complex impedance, Ohm's law, Kirchoff’s laws.
Simulation of electronic circuits via (SPICE).
Transimpedance Amplifier (TIA).

Furthermore, the module will provide an introduction into Digital-Analog (DA) and (AD) converters, and µ-controllers (e.g. Arduino), with an emphasis on measuring physical data.

Devices:
Photodiodes, LEDs, photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), amplifiers, solar cells and CCDs.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

6
Autonomous Student Learning

66
Lectures

24
Laboratories

18
Total

114

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module is assessing threefold:

Through:
1. Lectures with an end of semester 2h- written examination
2. Continuous Assessment (marked Homework)
3. Labs which are marked on the basis of the lab report(s).

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

PHYC20080


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): High-stakes closed-book exam, at the end of a learning period.
It's in-person, 2 hours long and takes place in an exam centre.		 End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
60
 No
Practical Skills Assessment: 2nd year labs including lab reports and reflective writing. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Problemsheets to be solved at home and submitted via Brightspace.
4 Tutorials are additionally offered for each problemsheet.		 Week 4, Week 6, Week 8, Week 10 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
15
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback is provided in the following ways: 1. Corrected Homework with grading information provided to students during trimester (continuous assessment); 2. Lab work is corrected and reports are graded on a bi-weekly basis including feedback from demonstrators. 3. Examinations are graded and discussed post assessment for students which have not passed; 4. In module tutorial sessions; 5. Worked examples are discussed and additionally provided on Brightspace; 6. Students are free to ask/discuss problems during module and additionally to arrange meetings with the lecturer during teaching term.

Name Role
Mr Silas O Toole Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 33 Fri 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 Mon 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 2 Week(s) - 21, 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 Thurs 15:00 - 17:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 3 Week(s) - 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Thurs 15:00 - 17:50
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