Compound Semiconductor Physics (MSc)

How will I be taught?

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars and practical laboratory sessions.

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.

In tutorials and seminars you’ll have the opportunity to discuss and reflect upon particular physical, mathematical, coding / practical or specialist concepts, to consolidate and get feedback on your individual learning and to develop skills in oral presentation. Communication skills are developed in tutorials, where you will make individual contributions to group study, for example by summarising and critiquing a recent research article for the group

You will practise and develop critique, reflective, analytical and presentational skills by participating in diverse learning activities such as research group meetings, School seminar discussions and in 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 Compound Semiconductor Physics is squarely on acquiring and demonstrating practical skills which will be of use in a research environment and hence highly sought-after by employers.

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, short practical projects, written assignments, coding exercises, written and oral examinations and group work will be used.

In some of the required modules there are weekly assignments.  The feedback provided for these allows you to make incremental improvements to the development of your core skillset, giving you ample opportunity to implement the suggestions made by our expert staff.

The methods used on the elective 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.

All assessments make use of feedback, which can be divided into formative and summative feedback.

How will I be supported?

Our MSc Coordinators will act as your personal tutors.  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.  Since the MSc Coordinators’ office is located within the MSc Teaching Facilities, any issues can be dealt with very quickly.

MSc students are invited to all postgraduate events including the Postgraduate Lecture Series and Postgraduate Research Conference.  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.

When you undertake the summer research project you will be assigned a primary and secondary 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 primary supervisor is the lead researcher in the group / sub-group that you join.

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 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 core knowledge and understanding of the context, concepts and background relating to compound semiconductors and their industrial applications;
• Knowledge and understanding of the most effective software packages, programming languages and mathematical techniques in the field of semiconductor physics. 

Intellectual Skills:

Students completing the Programme will demonstrate:

• A sophisticated theoretical and practical physical, mathematical and semiconductor-specific skillset and the ability to adapt these skills to novel applications;
• The ability to critically analyse, critique, curate and synthesise state-of-the-art academic literature and the most up-to-date techniques.

Professional Practical Skills:

Students completing the Programme will be able to:

• Efficiently and effectively integrate into a research group environment, including planning, proposing and carrying out a sophisticated research project, concisely reporting progress, negotiating activities and timescales, supporting colleagues and working in a team;
• Demonstrate a solid, research-grade semiconductor device theory, design and fabrication skillset across the range of silicon and compound semiconductors and semiconductor photonics.

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.