TEK9310 – Solar Cells
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The course gives a thorough introduction to how solar cells work, in addition to how they are produced. The course covers the most important topics in modern solar cell technology and is suited as a part of the theoretical basis in a master's degree or other continuing education on the subject.
Learning outcome
After completing the course, you will have
- a thorough understanding of how solar cells function
- knowledge on solar cell fabrication and characterization
- a thorough knowledge of silicon-based solar cells
- knowledge on solar energy, the function of solar cells, solar cell panels, reflection and absorption of light and theoretical limits on solar cell efficiencies
- knowledge on requirements for high efficiency solar cells
- knowledge on generation, transport and recombination of charge carriers
- knowledge on solar cell design, modelling and optimization
- knowledge on the production value chain to silicon-based solar cells
- knowledge on thin film solar cell technologies
- an understanding of alternative solar cell technologies
Admission to the course
PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through Studentweb.
If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.
PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must apply for a position as a visiting student within a given deadline.
Recommended previous knowledge
Knowledge provided by FYS1120 – Electromagnetism, FYS2140 – Quantum Physics and FYS2160 – Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics is recommended. A basic knowledge of semiconductors will be an advantage, for example from FYS2210 – Semiconductor Components (continued).
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with TEK5310 – Solar Cells.
- 10 credits overlap with UNIK4450 – Solar cells (continued).
- 10 credits overlap with UNIK9450 – Solar Cells (continued).
Teaching
The course has 2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of group exercises every week throughout the semester.
As a PhD candidate you will have an additional mandatory project assignment on modelling, which must be approved in order to take the final exam.
Examination
- A final oral exam counts 100% towards the final grade. In case of many students, there may be held a written exam.
As a PhD candidate you will submit a mandatory project assignment, which must be approved in order to take the exam.
It will also be counted as 1 of the 3 attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Language of examination
Courses taught in English will only offer the exam paper in English. You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.
Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass, the original examination.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.