Electronic and Photonic Materials, Minor

Program Code: EPM_UMNR

Program Description

Electronic and photonic materials have greatly changed modern life. Without them, computers, telecommunication systems, compact disc players, video cameras, and all the electronics with which we have become accustomed would not be possible. The study of electronic and photonic materials is a natural bridge between the fields of electrical engineering and material science. Students in electrical engineering will benefit from this minor because they will better understand the materials with which they will design electronic and photonic devices, such as transistors on a computer chip or semiconductor lasers in a compact disc player. Training in the field of electronic and photonic materials requires study of the processing and characterization of these materials to help engineers develop ways to lower cost and improve performance. This knowledge will help prepare students to enter the semiconductor industry or pursue graduate studies.

What are Electronic and Photonic Materials?

Electronic and photonic materials are vital components of future scientific and technological advances. Studying the electronic, photonic, magnetic, and optical properties of materials is vital for building integrated electronic systems for wide ranging applications from computers to cell phones to electronic instruments for medical applications and environmental monitoring. The development of new electronic and photonic materials depends on understanding and controlling the electronic structure of materials and is a natural bridge between the fields of electrical engineering and materials science.

You Might Like This Program If...

  • You are interested in working in the electronics manufacturing industry.
  • You want to know more about what materials are required to power a range of current electronic devices.

Program Requirements

Requirement Credits
Requirements for the Minor 35

For the minor in Electronic and Photonic Materials, a minimum of 35 credits are required.

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
CHEM 112Chemical Principles II Keystone/General Education Course3
EE 310Electronic Circuit Design I4
EE 441Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Technology3
MATH 140Calculus With Analytic Geometry I Keystone/General Education Course4
MATH 141Calculus with Analytic Geometry II Keystone/General Education Course4
MATH 231Calculus of Several Variables2
MATSE 201Introduction to Materials Science3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
MATSE 450Synthesis and Processing of Electronic and Photonic Materials3
or MATSE 455 Properties and Characterization of Electronic and Photonic Materials
Select 3 credits from the following:3
ESC 314
An approved EE course
Select 6 credits from the following:6
Solid State Devices
Semiconductor Optoelectronic Devices
Crystal Chemistry
Thermodynamics of Materials
Materials Process Kinetics
Solid-State Materials
Electrical and Magnetic Properties
Materials Characterization
Optical Properties of Materials
Synthesis and Processing of Electronic and Photonic Materials
Properties and Characterization of Electronic and Photonic Materials

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

R. Allen Kimel
Associate Head for Undergraduate Studies
225B Steidle Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-5397
rak189@psu.edu

Contact

University Park

DEPARTMENT OF MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
225B Steidle Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-9857
rak189@psu.edu

https://www.matse.psu.edu/