Electronic Materials & Devices Course | IIT Madras NPTEL | Prof. Parasuraman
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 279 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Categories | Metallurgy and Material science & Mining Engineering, Electronic Materials |
| Credit Points | 2 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 28 Mar 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Building Blocks of Modern Electronics: A Deep Dive into IIT Madras's Premier Course
In our technology-driven world, the tiny semiconductors and devices inside every gadget form the bedrock of innovation. Have you ever wondered how your smartphone processes information or how solar panels convert sunlight into electricity? The answers lie in the fascinating realm of electronic materials and devices. For students and professionals eager to demystify this critical field, a standout resource is the online course "Fundamentals of Electronic Materials and Devices" offered by the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).
Your Expert Guide: Prof. Parasuraman Swaminathan
This course is expertly led by Prof. Parasuraman Swaminathan, a distinguished professor in the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at IIT Madras. Prof. Swaminathan brings a rare blend of deep academic knowledge and rich industry experience to the virtual classroom.
His credentials are impressive:
- Education: B.Tech & M.Tech (Dual Degree) from IIT Madras, PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA.
- Industry & Research: Post-doctoral work at Johns Hopkins University and NIST, USA, on microelectronics. Former role at Intel Corporation in their development fabrication facility.
- Current Work: Leads the Electronic Materials and Thin Films research group at IIT Madras, focusing on printed electronics and thin film deposition.
Having offered this course since 2016 and authored a dedicated textbook, Prof. Swaminathan is uniquely positioned to translate complex concepts into clear, understandable lessons.
Course Overview: What You Will Learn
This comprehensive 8-week course is designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as working professionals. It systematically builds your understanding from the ground up.
Primary Objective: To provide a fundamental understanding of the materials and devices that power the global semiconductor industry.
Intended Audience: Students from Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Metallurgy, Materials, Physics, Computer Science, and Chemistry backgrounds will find it highly relevant. It is also invaluable for professionals in the electronics sector looking to solidify their core knowledge.
Detailed 8-Week Curriculum
The course is meticulously structured to ensure a logical progression of knowledge:
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction, Energy bands in solids, Semiconductors band gap formation. |
| Week 2 | Problem set on Week 1, Intrinsic semiconductors. |
| Week 3 | Extrinsic semiconductors, Fermi level variations, and conductivity. |
| Week 4 | Problem set on Week 3, Metal-semiconductor junctions, Introduction to pn junctions. |
| Week 5 | pn junctions under bias, Junction breakdown, Heterojunctions. Problem set. |
| Week 6 | Transistors, Types of transistors, MOSFETs. Problem set. |
| Week 7 | Optoelectronic devices – Introduction, LEDs and Lasers. |
| Week 8 | Photodetectors and Solar Cells. Final problem set on optoelectronic devices. |
Essential Learning Resources
To complement the video lectures, Prof. Swaminathan has authored a comprehensive textbook:
- Book Title: "Semiconductor Materials, Devices, and Fabrication" (Published by Wiley).
- Content: Covers all course material plus additional chapters on device fabrication, previewing a future MOOC.
- Availability: Easily accessible on major online portals like Amazon and Flipkart.
The complete set of video lectures is also available on the official YouTube Channel: Electronic Materials and Thin Films Lab.
Why This Course is a Must-Take
For Students: This course lays a rock-solid foundation for careers in semiconductor design, fabrication, and research. It bridges the gap between textbook theory and practical device operation.
For Professionals: It offers a structured refresher and deepens understanding of the fundamental principles behind the devices you work with daily, fostering innovation and problem-solving.
Industry Relevance: With global demand for semiconductor expertise at an all-time high, this course provides the core knowledge valued by leading electronics and semiconductor companies worldwide.
Whether you're an aspiring engineer, a curious student, or a professional aiming to strengthen your technical foundation, "Fundamentals of Electronic Materials and Devices" from IIT Madras is an exceptional, freely accessible resource to launch or accelerate your journey into the heart of modern technology.
Enroll Now →