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Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering
The objective of this graduate program is to help address the global need for research and education in new renewable energy technologies. Graduate research opportunities are available in third-generation photovoltaics utilizing novel nanotechnologies, materials and structures to convert light energy into electricity.
Research Topics for graduate students
in photovoltaics
include but are not limited to: 1) advanced silicon and other inorganic
photovoltaic technologies such as nanostructures; 2) organic photovoltaics; 3)
optoelectronic and photo-luminescent materials and devices; 4) advanced micro and nano-fabrication
techniques; 5) device modeling; and 6) photovoltaic system development.
Full Graduate Research Assistantships in photovoltaics are available for qualified applicants. Students with a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry or other areas related to photovoltaics are encouraged to apply. Please send a resume and a statement of research interests and purpose along with the graduate school application requirements to The Graduate School, Box 2201, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007-2220. www3.sdstate.edu/academics/graduateschool. Questions can be addressed to:
Dr. David Galipeau, Electrical Engineering Graduate Coordinator at david.galipeau@sdstate.edu
Curriculum: The core curriculum includes photovoltaics and micro and nano-fabrication technologies. Since major technological advances are predicted to come at the intersection of the science and engineering disciplines, supporting courses can be selected from several areas including physics, materials science, electro-photonics, organic and inorganic chemistry, and electrical engineering.
General Structure and Requirements: Entering students are required to have the equivalent of the MS degree in electrical engineering. The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 60 credits beyond the MS degree. Students are required to complete 9 credits of required coursework, and at least 15 graduate credits in supporting areas that directly support the dissertation.
Specific Course Requirements:.jpg)
1. Required Courses (9 credits):
EE 636 Photovoltaics, 3 cr.
EE 760 Advanced Electronic Materials, 3 cr.
EE 790 Electrical Engineering Doctoral Seminar, 3 cr.
2. Supporting Courses: (15 credits):
A minimum of 6 credits of coursework must be selected in Electrical Engineering at the 600/700 level. Additional coursework may be selected from the list of Supporting Courses. These courses are intended to add multidisciplinary support of the student's Plan of Study and dissertation topic.
3. Dissertation: 36 credits
4. Total Credits: 60 credits beyond the MS degree
|
Ph. D. in EE with an emphasis in Energy Systems |
Credit Hours |
Percent |
| Required courses, all students |
9 |
15 |
| Supporting courses |
15 |
25 |
| Ph. D. Dissertation |
36 |
60 |
|
Total required for the degree: |
60 |
100 |
Required Courses:
|
Prefix & Number |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
|
EE 636 |
Photovoltaics |
3 |
|
EE 760 |
Advanced Electronic Materials |
3 |
|
EE 790 |
Electrical Engineering Doctoral Seminar |
1 |
Example Plan of Study for the Proposed Degree
| EE 636 Photovoltaics | 3 cr |
Required course |
| EE 760 Advanced Electronic Materials | 3 cr |
" " |
| EE 790 Seminar (3 semesters) | 3 cr |
" " |
| EE 736 Advanced Photovoltaics | 3 cr |
Support course |
| EE 761 Advanced Micro/nanoelectronic Fabrication | 3 cr |
" " |
| CHEM 622 Advanced Organic Chemistry | 3 cr |
" " |
| MATH 732 Partial Differential Equations | 3 cr |
" " |
| PHYS 698 Photonics | 3 cr |
" " |
| EE 890 Dissertation--Ph.D. | 36 cr |
" " |
|
Total: |
60 cr |
|
Course Descriptions
EE 636, Photovoltaics, 3 credits
This course covers modern silicon photovoltaic (PV) devices, including the basic physics, ideal and non-ideal models, device parameters and design, and device fabrication. The emphasis will be on crystalline and multi-crystalline devices, but thin films will also be introduced. PV applications and economics will also be discussed. Prerequisite - instructor consent. Co-requisite - EE 660.
EE 736, Advanced Photovoltaics, 3 credits
This course builds on the foundations established in EE 636. It will cover advanced photovoltaic concepts including thin films, compound semiconductors, spectral conversion devices, and organic and polymeric devices. Advanced device designs will be emphasized. Evaluation will include a research paper on a current PV topic. Prerequisite - EE 636.
EE 760, Advanced Electronic Materials, 3 credits
This course focuses on the theory of state-of-the-art micro and nano materials and fabrication techniques. Emphasis will be on the selection of appropriate electronic and optical materials as well as the processes that control form and structure which can be designed to yield desired physical properties. Specific materials and processes to be studied will be decided by the course instructor.
EE 761, Advanced Micro/nanoelectronic Fabrication, 3 credits
This is a laboratory course involving the fabrication of a micro- or nanoelectronic device. Students will receive instruction in modern electronic fabrication techniques, and will then acquire hands-on experience with these techniques as they design, fabricate, and test a working device. Devices to be studied will be decided by the course instructor.
EE 790, Electrical Engineering Doctoral Seminar, 1 credit (taken three times)
Students are
required to take this course three times. During the first semester, students will review potential research topics
and propose specific research areas or projects in collaboration with their advisors. During the second semester students will present the essential elements of their dissertation proposals.
In the final seminar, students will report on their research progress. These
presentations can serve as a basis for their thesis defense.