Form C4
1. Course
Code
B21MT
2. Course
Title
Materials Physics
3. SCQF 11
4. Credits
Level
6. Course
Teaching Group Convener
Co-ordinator
EPS
5. School
7. Delivery:
Location &
Semester
Version 4.0 (2010/2011)
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor Template
15
Edin
SBC
Orkney
Dubai
IDL
Collaborative Partner
Approved Learning Partner
Sem 2
Sem…….
Sem………..
Sem……..
Sem….
Name…………………….....Sem..…...
Name …………………………………Sem………..
8. Pre-requisites
9. Linked Courses
(specify if synoptic)
10. Excluded Courses
11. Replacement Courses
Code:
12. Degrees for which
this is a core course
Date Of Replacement:
13. The course may be
delivered to:
UG only
PG only
B21M-PHY
B26M-ENG
UG & PG
MPhys in Physics
MPhys Engineering Physics
14. Available as an Elective?
Yes
No
15. Aims
To establish an understanding of the production and characterisation of materials used in optical and solid state devices.
To instil an understanding of the physics underlying soft condensed matter.
16. Syllabus
Basic Semiconductor Concepts – structure, bandgap, alloying
The concepts governing material growth
Near equilibrium and non-equilibrium growth
The role of heat transfer
Device fabrication – deposition, etching, patterning, doping
The use of vacuum techniques in growth, fabrication and analysis
Bulk crystal growth techniques for silicon and compound semiconductor single crystals
Epitaxy and the growth of thin films by LPE MBE and MOCVD.
The role of strain in epitaxial film growth
Defects in materials: point and line defects
The role of defects in semiconductors
Structural and compositional characterisation of thin films and bulk materials – RHEED, SIMS, C-V profiling, PL, etc.
1/3
Form C4
Version 4.0 (2010/2011)
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor Template
Introduction to soft materials (forces/energies/timescales/phases)
Colloidal dispersions (Stokes Law/Brownian motion, forces between particles)
Stability and phase behaviour of colloids
Polymers & co-polymers – their nature and applications
Review of statistical physics
Random walks and the dimensions of polymer chains
Static and dynamic conformations
Chain statistics – Flory Theorem
Scaling concepts in Polymer Physics
17. Learning Outcomes (HWU Core Skills: Employability and Professional Career Readiness)
Subject Mastery
Understanding, Knowledge and Cognitive
Scholarship, Enquiry and Research (Research-Informed Learning)
Skills
On completion of this module, the learner will be able to:
 Achieve a critical knowledge and understanding of the connection between physical principles and the generation and application of a vacuum
 Achieve a critical knowledge and understanding of how materials are produced and characterised by analyses
 Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of advanced concepts and applications in device fabrication and characterisation
 Integrate previous knowledge from the physics course with the topics discussed in the module
 Apply the theories of vacuum technology and materials physics to problems or situations not previously encountered
 Understand how the properties of materials depend on their structure and on their fabrication
 Understand the importance of correlating the formation and processing of materials with their properties and their application
 Achieve a critical knowledge and understanding of the types of soft condensed matter that exist and their applications
 Achieve a critical knowledge and understanding of the behaviour of soft condensed matter
 Apply statistical physics to understand the properties of soft condensed matter
 Analyse advanced problems in materials physics
Personal Abilities
Industrial, Commercial & Professional Practice
Autonomy, Accountability & Working with Others
Communication, Numeracy & ICT
Personal abilities are embedded in the module. The module provides the opportunity to :
 Apply the advanced core knowledge expected of a professional physicist to gain professional level insights,
 Communicate effectively with professional level colleagues
 Interpret, use and evaluate critically a wide range of data to solve problems of both a familiar and unfamiliar nature
 Manage time effectively, work to deadlines and prioritise workloads
 Use a range of ICT skills with on-line materials and web links to support the learning process
 Apply strategies for appropriate selection of relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge
 Exercise significant initiative and independence in carrying out learning activities and researching information
18. Assessment Methods
Method
19. Re-assessment Methods
Duration of Exam
(if applicable)
Weighting (%)
Synoptic courses?
Method
Duration of Exam
(if applicable)
2/3
Diet(s)
Form C4
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor Template
Written examination
3 hours
100%
Version 4.0 (2010/2011)
none
20. Date and Version
Date of Proposal
21 june 2013
Date of Approval by
School Committee
Date of
Implementation
September 2013
Version
Number
3/3
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