Programme Specification
A statement of the knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin a
taught programme of study leading to an award from
The University of Sheffield
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Programme Title
Semiconductor Photonics & Electronics
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Programme Code
EEET26 (MSc)
EEET27 (PG Diploma)
EEET28 (PG Certificate)
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JACS Code
H680
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Level of Study
Postgraduate
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Final Qualification
MSc (Eng)
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Intermediate Qualification(s)
Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate
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Teaching Institution (if not Sheffield)
Not applicable
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Faculty
Engineering
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Home Department
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
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Other Department(s) involved in
teaching the programme
Physics
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Mode(s) of Attendance
Full-time
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Duration of the Programme
1 year
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Accrediting Professional or Statutory
Body
Not applicable
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Date of production/revision
March 2014
15. Background to the programme and subject area
Opto-electronic devices play a crucial role in many areas of modern technology ranging from data storage,
lighting, communication systems and measurement and instrumentation systems. The recent movement of
opto-electronic capability into the ultra-violet region of the spectrum is opening doors into a widening range of
application opportunities. This course exploits the extensive experience, infrastructure, and expertise in
compound semiconductor growth and device fabrication built up over several decades in the departments of
Electronic and Electrical Engineering at The University of Sheffield. This course equips students with hands on
experience of the technologies and methods used in companies and research teams to grow materials and to
design and fabricate devices; it is biased towards the production of graduates who can operate effectively in a
research and development environment.
16. Programme aims
The aims of the programme are to:

provide access to a Masters level degree course in electronics and photonics to graduates or professionals
from electronic or physics based backgrounds;

help fulfilment of student potential and engender a commitment to self improvement;

provide students with a detailed knowledge and understanding of the broad and growing field of electronics
and photonics and of what can be achieved by engineering at the micro- and nano-scale in this field;

provide teaching that is underpinned by the research attainment and scholarship of the staff;

prepare students for a professional career in the field of electronic and photonic engineering including the
provision of suitable interpersonal skills.
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17. Programme learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
By graduation MSc (Eng) students will have knowledge and understanding of:
K1
the advanced engineering science relevant to electronic devices and photonic components.
K2
analytical methods relevant to the understanding of devices in electronics and photonics and of the
benefits achievable from different materials and from sub-micron dimensions.
K3
state-of-the-art electronic / photonic devices including the use of quantum mechanical properties and their
application in systems.
K4
the research methods and interdisciplinary techniques relevant to engineering semiconductor electronic,
optoelectronic and photonic structures.
K5
an individual research topic .
For students studying for the PG-Diploma in this subject they will have knowledge and understanding of K1 to
K4. For students studying for the PG-Certificate in this subject they have knowledge and understanding of K1 to
K4, but in a narrower range of topics than a student satisfying the requirements for a PG-Diploma.
Skills and other attributes
By graduation MSc (Eng) students will be able to:
S1
gather, organise and critically evaluate information needed to formulate and solve problems.
S2
apply acquired knowledge effectively and efficiently in dealing with device and components in systems.
S3
produce oral and written communications appropriate for the presentation of technical information.
S4
operate in a cleanroom environment to manufacture micro- and/or nano-scale devices and components.
S5
work independently on technical problems.
S6
manage time effectively and understand how to work effectively as part of a team.
S7
plan and execute a major technical investigation .
For students studying for the PG-Diploma in this subject they will be able to meet the skills S1 to S5 and have
some ability in S6. For students studying for the PG-Certificate in this subject they will meet a selection of the
skills contributing to S1 to S6 depending on the choice of modules made in satisfying the credit requirements of
the qualification.
18. Teaching, learning and assessment
Development of the programme learning outcomes is promoted through the following teaching and
learning methods:

Lectures – used to transmit information, explain theories and concepts, and illustrate methods of analysis
and design.

Coursework assignments – generally require students to seek additional information and work on their
own, or sometimes in small groups, to develop understanding of subject matter. Also to give students
hands-on experience in using relevant modelling packages and fabrication environments.

Problem Sheets – to assist students with their understanding and to resolve specific problems.

Dissertation – (MSc (Eng) only) a major individual research study supervised by a member of academic
staff and possibly a partner from industry, allows the student ample scope to display initiative, originality and
creativity.
Opportunities to demonstrate achievement of the programme learning outcomes are provided through
the following assessment methods:

Written examinations – usually of two/three hours duration with three out of four/four out of six questions.

Coursework submissions – these include laboratory studies, computational assignments and research
reports.
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Oral presentations / interviews– students present their research work to their supervisors and peer group.

Individual project reports - interim and detailed final reports (MSc (Eng) only) are written describing the
research work.
The teaching, learning and assessment methods adopted for each learning outcome are shown below. In
general the learning outcomes will be achieved and assessed by a variety of means and only the more
important relationships are indicated in the matrix
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K2 Analytical methods
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K3 Current technologies and trends
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K4 Research techniques
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K5 Specialised in-depth knowledge
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S1 Critical assessment
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S3 Presentation skills
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S4 Cleanroom environment
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S6 Manage time
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Proportions of total assessment (%)
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
The overall proportions of assessment by the various methods are given in the following table:
Written examinations
50
Coursework submissions
17
Oral presentations / interviews
5
Individual investigative project reports
28
3
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S7 Plan research projects

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
S5 Work independently
Individual project reports
Coursework submissions
Written examinations
K1 Fundamental principles
S2 Application of ideas

Oral presentations / interviews
Assessment
Individual research project
Lectures
(outcomes in abbreviated form here - see section
17 for the full text)
Tutorials / example classes
LEARNING OUTCOME
Coursework assignments
Teaching / Learning
19. Reference points
The learning outcomes have been developed to reflect the following points of reference:
Subject Benchmark Statements
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/AssuringStandardsAndQuality/subject-guidance/Pages/Subject-benchmarkstatements.aspx
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (2008)
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/The-framework-for-higher-educationqualifications-in-England-Wales-and-Northern-Ireland.aspx
University Strategic Plan
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/strategicplan
Learning and Teaching Strategy (2011-16)
http://www.shef.ac.uk/lets/strategy/lts11_16
UK-SPEC, Engineering Council UK, 2013
20. Programme structure and regulations
The programme structure is modular and runs full time for 12 months. Students study 60 credits per semester
and, over the summer, prepare a dissertation worth a further 60 credits. The MSc (Eng) degree is awarded after
aggregation of 180 credits, the postgraduate diploma on aggregation of 120 taught credits and the postgraduate
certificate on aggregation of 60 taught credits.
The course is designed for students with a range of first degree backgrounds in the general area of physics and
electronics. This inevitably means that modules will in the early stages potentially cover material that some
students will have covered previously, although in each case the modules will develop to a level well beyond
that normal for an undergraduate qualification and additionally covering the current state-of-the-art in each area.
Over the summer, MSc (Eng) students work full time on their chosen research topic and prepare a dissertation
for submission in early September.
Detailed information about the structure of programmes, regulations concerning assessment and progression
and descriptions of individual modules are published in the University Calendar available on-line at
http://www.shef.ac.uk/govern/calendar/regs.html.
21. Student development over the course of study
Taught modules - Students gaining an MSc (Eng) or a Postgraduate Diploma will have developed as follows:
Upon successful completion of the taught modules, students from across the range of different backgrounds will
have developed a thorough understanding of the principles underlying a wide variety of electronic,
optoelectronic and photonic devices and components including the advantages that quantum mechanical
considerations can offer for some applications. In addition students will have a grasp of how such elements can
be integrated into systems, both at the integrated circuit and packaged system level. Students will also have an
understanding of the issues relating to the development of products to satisfy a particular need and in to
methods to develop and produce them effectively. Students gaining a Postgraduate Certificate will have
developed a selection of these achievements in at least half the subject matter of the taught part of the
programme.
Research project - On successful completion of the research project, MSc (Eng) students will, in addition, have
developed their skills in research methods, time management and project management and will display initiative
and imagination in their acquisition of frontier knowledge and in their approach to problem solving.
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22. Criteria for admission to the programme
Most students enter with UK degree level qualifications at second or first class standard, or equivalent
qualifications from overseas. Those with industrial experience are considered on an individual basis.
Applications are welcome from graduates of most of the disciplines that involve a high degree of mathematical
competence. Typically students have degrees in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Materials or Electronic
Engineering. General University requirements regarding English qualifications must also be satisfied.
Detailed information regarding admission to the programme is available at http://www.shef.ac.uk/prospective/
23. Additional information
The department has extensive semiconductor clean room facilities, a result of its research excellence in this
area, and students benefit from hands-on experience in these facilities by assisting in the growth of a compound
semiconductor wafer and then fabricating from this wafer a semiconductor device. Both the wafer and the
device will be characterised using the state of the art characterisation equipment available in the laboratories.
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