UWB Crest

School of Electronic Engineering

Postgraduate courses

Image from an Informatics seminar

Nanotechnology and Microfabrication (MSc)

This course teaches numerate graduates knowledge and skills in the field of nanotechnology and microfabrication. The course takes an immersive approach to learning both the principles and practices of nanotechnology and microfabrication with much of the material based around examples and practical exercises. Students completing this course will have a firm grasp of the current practices and directions in this exciting area and will have the knowledge and skills to enable them to design and build microscale devices.

Taught Modules:

Introduction to Nanotechnology & Microsystems: Focuses on the device fabrication techniques at the nano and micro scale, as well as introducing some of the diagnostic tools available to test the quality and characteristics of devices.

Modelling and Design: Focuses on the simulation and design of electronic devices using an advanced software package – COMSOL. This powerful commercial software package is extremely adaptable and can be used to simulate and design a very wide range of physical systems.

Project Planning and Management: Focuses on the skills required to scope, plan, execute and report the outcomes of a research project.

Advanced Sensor Systems: Provides students with an understanding of more complex sensor systems and a view of current developments in specific areas of sensor development. Applications of these systems and their main producers and users are also discussed.

Mini Project: Focuses on applying the skills and techniques to a mini project, whose theme will form the basis of the research project.

RF and Optical MEMs: Introduces the use and benefits of miniaturisation in RF and optical technologies. The module will investigate improvements in component characteristics, and manufacturing processes. Applications of RF and optical nano and microsystems will be discussed using examples.

Microengineering: This module provides an introduction to the rapidly expanding subject of microengineering. Starting with a discussion of the benefits and market demand for microengineered systems, the module investigates clean room-based lithographic and related methods of microfabrication. Micro manufacturing issues for a range of materials such as silicon, polymers and metals will be discussed along with routes to larger scale manufacture. A range of example devices and applications will be used to illustrate manufacturing parameters.

Research Project 

After the successful completions of the taught component of the MSc programme, the major individual project will be undertaken within the world-leading optoelectronics or optical communications research groups of the School. Students will then produce an MSc Dissertation.

Student Study Support

All students are assigned a designated supervisor, an academic member of staff who will provide formal supervision and support on a daily basis.

The School’s Director of Graduate Studies will ensure that the appropriate level of support and guidance is available for all postgraduate students, and each Course Director is available to help and advise their students as and when required.

Contact

Postgraduate Administrator

Telephone

01248 382683

Qualification

MSc

Duration

1 year full-time

Entry

This degree is aimed at candidates who have gained an Honours degree in Electronic Engineering, Physics or a related scientific discipline, at a 2.2 level or higher or the international equivalent. Applicants with initial degrees in other disciplines will be considered on an individual basis, with the assessment based on the applicant’s potential to succeed on, and benefit from, the course.

Applicants from overseas must, in addition, demonstrate competence in English to an acceptable level: TOEFL: minimum score of 560, with a TWE written score of 4 / IELTS score of 6.0 overall, 6.5 in writing and no other element under 5.5 / Cambridge Proficiency Higher / or undertake an appropriate ELCOS pre-sessional course to achieve the required English language level.