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PX3016: INTRODUCTION TO THE SOLID STATE (2024-2025)

Last modified: 23 Aug 2024 14:16


Course Overview

The course is based on modern views on the structure of solids, how that structure is determined by X-ray crystallography and the basics of structure-property relationships.  This involves learning the language of the basic shapes and symmetry displayed by crystals, then using that within the interdisciplinary subject of X-ray crystallography, source of many Nobel prizes and great advance in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Biology and Medicine.  The course then briefly examines some key topics including semiconductors, defects and amorphous materials.




Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Ross Macpherson

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The course begins at the basics of describing crystalline solids, taking in shapes and symmetry, and moving on to a thorough coverage of diffraction methods (X-ray, neutron and electron) and how they are used to describe crystalline materials. Workshop will develop these ideas into 3-dimensional symmetry and how this can be described mathematically. From the study of perfect crystals, the course will touch on non-crystalline solids and defects in crystals, naturally developing into the basic ideas of doping in semiconductors. Quasicrystals, liquid crystals and photonic crystals will also be introduced within the framework of structural descriptions and diffraction. Effects of strain and particle size will also be explored. The concept of reciprocal space will be developed and linked back into the basics of X-ray crystallography.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Online Quiz

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 10
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Quiz

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 25
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Written Work

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Workshop Report

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Workshop Report

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 25
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Resubmission of failed elements (pass marks carried forward)

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.

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