STEP - Transistors
Module Objectives
- Introduce students to science and engineering career opportunities.
- Develop deeper understandings of science concepts through analysis of applications.
- Develop vocabulary needed to converse in the semiconductor and nanotechnology industries.
- Develop skills needed to explore high-tech concepts independently.
Major Understandings
- A MOS transistor can be thought of as two back-to-back P-N junction diodes.
- A transistor can be thought of as a current switch, controlled by a gate.
- Transistors can be combined in various ways to perform various digital logic functions.
- Integrated circuits are fabricated using a re-entrant manufacturing process, layer-by-layer.
- Major manufacturing processes include doping, patterning, diffusion, deposition, and etching.
Module Outline
Activity | Understandings Addressed | Bloom's Taxonomy | Format | Resources | Time (per) |
MW: How Transistors Work | 1,2,4,5 | 1,2 | Independent Reading | Read article | 0.5 |
Molecular Workbench Activity | 1,2,4,5 | 1,2,3,4,5,6 | Team Simulation | MW: Transistors | 1.5 |
Video: Silicon Run Lite | 4,5 | 1,2,4 | Video | 30-minute video | 1 |
Lecture / Discussion: Transistors to Logic | 2,3 | 1,2,3,4,5,6 | Lecture / Discussion | White boards to attempt truth tables and logic derivations at seats | 2 |
Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives in the Cognitive Domain
- Knowledge
- Comprehension
- Analysis
- Application
- Synthesis
- Evaluation
Module Content
Module content may be found under the Courses --> Honors --> Tutorials --> Microelectronics --> Transistors and Digital Logic sections of this site, or from the Microelectronics chapter of Honors Physics Essentials.