Compound Semiconductor Electronics (MSc)

How will I be taught?

A wide range of teaching styles will be used to deliver the diverse material forming the curriculum.

Lectures can take a variety of forms depending on the subject material being taught. Generally, lectures are used to convey concepts, contextualise research activities in the School and to demonstrate key theoretical, conceptual and mathematical methods.

You will practice and develop critique, reflective, analytical and presentational skills by participating in diverse learning activities such as research group meetings, seminars and open group discussions. At all times you will be encouraged to reflect on what you have learned and how it can be combined with other techniques and concepts to tackle novel problems.

In the practical laboratory sessions, you will put the breadth of your knowledge and skills to use, whether that be using your coding skills to automate a laboratory experiment, designing components for a large piece of equipment or troubleshooting research hardware. The emphasis on the MSc in Compound Semiconductor Electronics is squarely on acquiring and demonstrating practical skills which will be of use in a research environment and hence highly sought-after by employers.

When working on your dissertation you will be allocated a supervisor from among our teaching staff. Dissertation topics are typically chosen from a range of project titles proposed by academic staff, usually in areas of current research interest, although students are encouraged to put forward their own project ideas. Projects may also come forward from potential employers and industrial partners who may be able to offer work-based placements for the duration of the project work.

How will I be assessed?

Multiple assessment methods are used in order to enhance learning and accurately reflect your performance on the course.  In the required modules, a mixture of problem-based learning, in-lab assessment, written assignment, simulation exercises, written and oral examinations and group-based case study work will be used.

Feedback provided by your MSc Tutor, Module Leaders and for some modules, your fellow students will allow you to make incremental improvements to the development of your core skillset.

The methods used on the optional modules vary depending on the most appropriate assessment method for each module, but typically include written and/or practical assignments together with a written and/or oral examination.

What is expected of me?

How will I be supported?

Your MSc Tutor will usually also act as your Personal Tutor. They will help you reflect on your performance and advise you on research and study techniques, module selection and career planning (in conjunction with the University’s Career Service). They will also provide a first point of contact if you experience any difficulties.

MSc students are invited to all postgraduate events including the Postgraduate Lecture Series and Postgraduate Research Conferences.  At these events, you can meet and talk with PhD students, researchers and attend key lectures covering the School’s research activities, best practice and safety.

All of our modules make extensive use of the University’s Virtual Learning Environment, Learning Central, where you can access discussion forums and find course materials including recordings of lectures (where available), links to related materials, lecture slides, assessment scripts, model solutions and examples of student work from previous years.

When you undertake the summer research project you will be assigned an academic supervisor whose responsibility it will be to keep you properly advised and supported throughout your research project.  They will be your first point of contact during the research project and it is usual that your supervisor will be the lead researcher in any group / sub-group that you join as part of your project.

This programme is designed to foster a strong community spirit within the MSc cohort.  You will often work together in pairs, in groups and as a cohort.  MSc groups will generally meet weekly at which point you will report progress, discuss problems and suggest solutions.  This strong peer-support and peer-learning/teaching has proven extremely powerful in enhancing our students’ learning.

What skills will I practise and develop?

As a result of engaging fully with this course, you will acquire and develop a range of valuable skills, both discipline-specific and more generic ‘employability skills’. 

Knowledge & Understanding:

Students completing the Programme will:

• Demonstrate a sophisticated level of knowledge and understanding of the engineering methodologies and tools in the field of compound semiconductor electronics; 

• Undertake a leading role in design and development activity, including an up-to-date knowledge of the academic literature, the major companies and market pressures in the industry, the wider compound semiconductor context, and relevant legal and safety issues; 

• Understand the essential elements within complex issues, and understand how these may be solved in a systematic and creative manner to tackle real-world problems.

Intellectual Skills:

Students completing the Programme will:

• Show originality, competence and confidence in tackling both familiar and unfamiliar problems
• understand the application of Compound Semiconductor Electronics to the design, implementation and management of systems that are able to collect, manipulate, interpret, synthesise, present and report data
• contribute to the continuing development of engineering practice and research based upon a critical evaluation of existing methods.

Professional Practical Skills:

Students completing the Programme will be able to:

• Efficiently and effectively integrate into a research group environment, including concisely reporting progress, negotiating activities and timescales, supporting colleagues and working in a team;
• Plan, propose and execute a sophisticated research project with realistic goals, deliverables and contingency plans;
• Undertake detailed device level characterisation of semiconductor components and application design based upon an in-depth understanding of the major issues surrounding architecture and structures;
• Appreciate the stages involved in the realisation of compound semiconductor devices as well as the advanced communications systems that employ them, including characterisation and measurement, modelling, computer aided design, optimisation, fabrication and test.

Transferable/Key Skills:

Students completing the Programme will demonstrate:

• Effective communication skills, including literature reviews, literature critiques, academic article writing, long report writing and formal scientific presentations 

• Effective and efficient group and team working skills, including negotiation, compromise, contingency planning, time management and record-keeping; 

• Engagement, liaison and collaboration with expert academic and industrial research scientists and the ability to transfer concepts, methodologies and modes of presentation between both environments; 

• Capability of assuming a high level role within an organisation, including being prepared for higher-level research studies.  

What are the learning outcomes of this course/programme?