The purpose of this course is to provide a basis for understanding the characteristics, operation, and limitations of semiconductor devices. The course content includes (1) an introduction to the crystal structure of solids leading to the ideal single-crystal semiconductor material, (2) quantum mechanics and the quantum theory of solids, (3) introduction of semiconductor material physics, (4) the physics of the semiconductor in thermal equilibrium, (5) the transport phenomena of the charge carriers in a semiconductor, (6) the nonequilibrium excess carrier characteristics, (7) electrostatics and current-voltage of the basic pn junction, and (8) metal–semiconductor junctions and semiconductor heterojunctions.

The course is an introduction to semiconductor fundamentals and applications for electronic devices. The course creates a background in the physics of semiconductor-based electronic devices and prepares students for advanced solid-state and quantum electronics courses. The course provides an opportunity for students to continue their education by undertaking advanced study and research in various branches of semiconductor device applications.

The prerequisites for understanding the course material are college mathematics, up to and including differential equations, and basic college physics.