Preface

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Welcome to the first edition of Semiconductor Devices, an open educational resource (OER). The goal of this text, as its name implies, is to allow the reader to become proficient in the analysis and design of circuits utilizing discrete semiconductor devices. It progresses from basic diodes through bipolar and field effect transistors. The text is intended for use in a first or second year course on semiconductors at the Associate or Baccalaureate level. In order to make effective use of this text, students should have already taken coursework in basic DC and AC circuits, and have a solid background in algebra and trigonometry along with exposure to phasors. Calculus is used in certain sections of the text but for the most part it is used for equation derivations and proofs, and is kept to a minimum. For students without a calculus background these sections may be skipped without a loss of continuity.

An OER companion laboratory manual is also available. It features nearly 30 exercises that parallel the topics presented in this text. For continued study, a follow-on OER text and lab manual, Operational Amplifiers and Linear Integrated Circuits, Third Edition is available. Several other electrical OER titles are also available.

I cannot say enough about the emerging Open Educational Resource movement and I encourage budding authors to consider this route. While there are (generally) no royalties to be found, having complete control over your own work (versus the “work for hire” classification of typical contracts) is not to be undervalued. Neither should contributions to the profession nor the opportunity to work with colleagues be dismissed. Given the practical aspects of the society in which we live, I am not suggesting that people “work for free”. Rather, because part of the mission of institutes of higher learning is to promote and disseminate formalized instruction and information, it is incumbent on those institutions to support their faculty in said quest, whether that be in the form of sabbaticals, release time, stipends or the like. It is also my opinion that no one should be deprived of a higher education due to lack of funds. A society that truly cares for its citizens would institute free college tuition.

If you have any questions regarding the text or lab manual, or are interested in contributing to the project, do not hesitate to contact me. Finally, please be aware that the most recent versions of all of my OER texts and manuals may be found at my MVCC web site as well as my mirror site: www.dissidents.com