Layer structures for use in density of states (“DOS”) engineered FETs are described. One embodiment comprises a layer structure for use in fabricating an n-channel transistor. The layer structure includes a first semiconductor layer having a conduction band minimum EC1; a second semiconductor layer having a discrete hole level H0; a wide bandgap semiconductor barrier layer disposed between the first and the second semiconductor layers; a gate dielectric layer disposed above the first semiconductor layer; and a gate metal layer disposed above the gate dielectric layer; wherein the discrete hole level H0 is positioned below the conduction band minimum Ec1 for zero bias applied to the gate metal layer.