EdX

Electronic Materials and Devices (edX)

Offered by MIT, MITx,

Learn how electronic devices, such as diodes and transistors, are designed to exploit the electrical properties of materials. In this engineering course, you will learn about diodes, bipolar junction transistors, MOSFETs and semiconductor properties.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

This course is part 1 of a series that explain the basis of the electrical, optical, and magnetic properties of materials including semiconductors, metals, organics, and insulators. You will learn how devices are built to take advantage of these properties. This is illustrated with a wide range of devices, placing a strong emphasis on new and emerging technologies.
Part 2 - Optical Materials and Devices
Part 3 - Magnetic Materials and Devices

What you'll learn:

The origins of semiconductor properties
Carrier action in semiconductors: drift, diffusion, recombination and generation
The behavior of p-n junctions at equilibrium and under bias
The derivation and application of the ideal diode equation, and how real diodes differ from ideal diodes
Operating principles of bipolar junction transistors and MOSFETs

Go to Class

MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Coursera

University of Colorado Boulder

Diode - pn Junction and Metal Semiconductor Contact (Coursera)

Engineering Sci: Physics

This course presents in-depth discussion and analysis of pn junction and metal-semiconductor contacts including equilibrium behavior, current and capacitance responses under bias, breakdown, non-rectifying behavior, and surface effect. You'll work through sophisticated analysis and application to electronic devices.

Jul 12th 2026

4 Weeks

Diodes PN Junctions Semiconductor Devices Specialization

EdX

Purdue University,PurdueX

Semiconductor Fundamentals (edX)

Sci: Physics Eng: Electronics

From smartphones to satellites, semiconductors are everywhere. Tying together physics, chemistry, and electrical engineering, this easy-to-follow introduction provides the background needed to understand devices such as transistors and solar cells. This course provides the essential foundations required to understand the operation of semiconductor devices such as transistors, diodes, solar cells, light-emitting devices, and more.

Jan 9th 2023

5-12 Weeks

Physics Semiconductors Quantum Mechanics

Coursera

University of Colorado Boulder

Semiconductor Physics (Coursera)

Engineering Sci: Physics

This course introduces basic concepts of quantum theory of solids and presents the theory describing the carrier behaviors in semiconductors. The course balances fundamental physics with application to semiconductors and other electronic devices.

Jun 28th 2026

4 Weeks

Physics Semiconductors Semiconductor Devices Specialization

EdX

Purdue University,PurdueX

Fundamentals of Transistors (edX)

Engineering Eng: Electronics

This course develops a simple framework for understanding the essential physics of transistors, including modern nanoscale transistors. Important technology considerations and circuit applications are also discussed. The transistor has been called the greatest invention of the 20th century - it enabled the electronics systems that have shaped the world we live in. Today's nanotransistors are a high volume, high impact success of the nanotechnology revolution.

Feb 13th 2023

5-12 Weeks

Physics Digital Circuits Electrostatics

OpenHPI

Hasso-Plattner-Institut

Wie 'denkt' ein Computer? Vom Sandkorn bis zur Software (openHPI)

Computer Science

Wie funktioniert ein Computer eigentlich? Diese Frage hast Du Dir wahrscheinlich schon einmal gestellt. Ausgehend von Transistoren und elektrischen Schaltungen finden wir heraus, woraus ein Prozessor besteht und wie er funktioniert. Dabei probieren wir selbst mit verschiedenen Simulationstools das Gelernte aus und entdecken die Welt der Rechnertechnik.

Apr 26th 2023

4 Weeks

Computer Transistors Processor

Coursera

Yonsei University

Recent Advances in Freeform Electronics (Coursera)

Engineering

In this course, the learners will understand fundamental basic backgrounds of p-n junctions, diodes and MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors). Also, recent approaches on flexible / stretchable electronics, transparent optoelectronics, and printed electronics using one dimensional or two dimensional nanomaterials will be introduced.

Nov 2nd 2026

5-12 Weeks

Electronics Sensors Diodes

Coursera

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology - KAIST

Introduction to Semiconductor Devices 1 (Coursera)

Engineering Eng: Electronics

This course aims to provide a general understanding of semiconductor devices. This course explores the principles and the operation mechanism of semiconductor, such as charge transfer, p-n junction, junction capacitors, and Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors(MOSFETs).

Nov 16th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Semiconductors Crystals Electrical Engineering

Coursera

Arizona State University

Electron and Ion Beam Characterization (Coursera)

Engineering

Electron and ion beams are widely used for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of semiconductor materials and devices. They can be used to image structures with sub-nm resolution and to provide information about elemental composition and dopant concentration. This course describes the fundamentals of electron and ion beam characterization and includes a project that analyzes the surface roughness of a solar cell.

Oct 26th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Semiconductors Spectroscopy Scanning Electron Microscopy

Coursera

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology - KAIST

Introduction to Semiconductor Process 1 (Coursera)

Engineering

This course aims to provide a general understanding of semiconductor process. This course explores the principles and basic theory of semiconductor device and process. Furthermore, the students will learn the overall semiconductor process such as oxidation, diffusion, ion implantation, lithography, etching, thin film deposition, plasma, metallization, and packaging.

Nov 2nd 2026

5-12 Weeks

Semiconductors Lithography Doping

Coursera

Arizona State University

Electrical Characterization: MOSFETs (Coursera)

Engineering

MOSFET transistor switches are the workhorse of semiconductor-based electronics. In this course, we begin with MOS capacitors and see how to extract the oxide charge density, which is important for controlling the MOSFET threshold voltage. We then review MOSFET electrical characteristics and see how current-voltage measurements are used to determine the threshold voltage. The course project uses real-world data to extract the threshold voltage of a 40 nm gate length MOSFET designed for 5G radio frequency integrated circuits.

Oct 26th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Semiconductors MOSFETs Coursera Plus

Coursera

Arizona State University

Optical and X-Ray Characterization (Coursera)

Engineering

Optical and X-ray techniques are powerful ways to characterize semiconductor thin films. They can be used to measure film thickness, purity and crystalline quality, and for compositional analysis. Modern techniques are fast, turn-key, and generally non-destructive, allowing for rapid assessment of material properties. This course describes the fundamentals of optical and X-ray characterization and provides real-world examples of how they are used in semiconductor manufacturing.

Oct 26th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Semiconductors X-Rays Semiconductor Materials

Coursera

University of Colorado Boulder

Light Emitting Diodes and Semiconductor Lasers (Coursera)

Engineering Sci: Physics

You will learn about semiconductor light emitting diodes (LEDs) and lasers, and the important rules for their analysis, planning, design, and implementation. You will also apply your knowledge through challenging homework problem sets to cement your understanding of the material and prepare you to apply in your career.

Oct 19th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Semiconductors Electrical Engineering LEDs