The Graduate Certificates in Semiconductor Engineering are intended for professional engineers and scientists working in the semiconductor industry or adjacent fields who desire additional qualifications in order to advance in their careers.
On this page:
Semiconductor Manufacturing Certificate in Graduate Study
The Graduate Certificate in Semiconductor Manufacturing provides a comprehensive overview of the semiconductor and microelectronics manufacturing process, beginning with the materials science of materials used in microelectronics manufacturing, microelectronic device architecture and operation, wafer processing and patterning technologies, quality control, and device performance and reliability. Impacts of failing to meet design criteria at each stage are considered. Note that circuit layout concepts are not included in this program of study. Examples and data will be drawn from the on-site 300 mm wafer fabrication line at CNSE. The program is designed for professionals working in the semiconductor industry who want to learn new skills, increase the depth of their knowledge, and advance their careers. The advanced certificate in Semiconductor Manufacturing can be completed entirely on-line. An undergraduate degree in a related area of engineering, physics, chemistry, or similar is required.
Learning Outcomes
Students completing this program will have an understanding of the design and operating principles of semiconductor devices, the general principles of the processing and lithographic technologies used in the fabrication of microelectronic devices, and the considerations for integrating the fabrication steps into a process flow.
Program Requirements (9 credits)
Chose nine credits from:
- Nse 519 (3) Principles of Materials Nanoengineering
- Nse 605 (3) Integrated Circuit Manufacturing I
- Nse 6XX (3) Semiconductor Process Integration
- Nse 608 (3) Principles of Reliability for Semiconductor and Nanoscale Applications
Semiconductor Patterning and Processing Certificate in Graduate Study
The Graduate Certificate in Semiconductor Patterning and Processing provides in-depth understanding of the lithographic, deposition, and etch processes and technologies used in the fabrication of microelectronics on wafers. Particular attention is given to determining optimal operating conditions for meeting target design specifications. Examples and data will be drawn from the on-site 300 mm wafer fabrication line at CNSE. The program is designed for professionals working in the semiconductor industry who want to learn new skills, increase the depth of their knowledge, and to advance their careers. The advanced certificate in Semiconductor Patterning and Processing can be completed entirely on-line, although not all elective courses listed are available remotely. An undergraduate degree in a related area of engineering, physics, chemistry, or similar is required.
Learning Outcomes
Students completing this program will have an in-depth understanding of the principal thin-film processing technologies used in state-of-the-art microelectronics fabrication, including deposition, etch, and extreme ultraviolet lithography.
Requirements (9 credits)
Select all of the following courses:
- Nse 504 (1) Chemical Principles of Nanotechnology
- Nse 507 (1) Foundations of Nanotechnology II (Topic: Molecular Materials)
- Nse 508 (1) Foundations of Nanotechnology III (Topic: Optics)
- Nse 651 (3) Lithography and Nanoscale Patterning
- Nse 603 (3) Nanomaterials Processing
Semiconductor Metrology Certificate in Graduate Study
The Graduate Certificate in Semiconductor Metrology provides both a practical and theoretical foundation for professionals who need to understand operational fundamentals and physical principles that underly semiconductor metrology for high volume manufacturing. The program focuses on the metrology methods used for measuring statistical process variations that affect yield, as well as design of sampling strategies and data interpretation. Students will learn broad principles of metrology and will gain an in-depth understanding of techniques of their choosing. Examples and data will be drawn from the on-site 300 mm wafer fabrication line at CNSE. The program is designed for professionals working in the semiconductor industry who want to learn new skills, increase the depth of their knowledge, and advance their careers. The advanced certificate in Semiconductor Metrology can be completed entirely on-line, although not all elective courses listed are available remotely. An undergraduate degree in a related area of engineering, physics, chemistry, or similar is required.
Learning Outcomes
- Students completing this program will have an in-depth understanding of the principles of semiconductor metrology, and the classes of measurements made during high volume manufacturing of semiconductors.
- Students will develop a working knowledge of the major semiconductor metrology methods used, and the challenges presented by sub-nanometer precision requirements.
- Students will acquire an in-depth understanding of one or more metrology methods.
Requirements (9 - 10 credits)
Nine or Ten credits consisting of:
- Nse 661 Semiconductor Metrology (3)
AND any two of:
- Nse 540 (3) Introductory Transmission Electron Microscopy*
- Nse 612 (3) Optical Processes in Nanoscale Solids
- Nse 665 (3) Electron Beam Analysis of Nanostructures
- Nse 670 (4) Transmission Electron Microscopy (includes laboratory)*^
- Nse 673 (3) X-ray Scattering and Crystallography for Nanoscale Materials and Structures
- Nse 784 (3) Special Topics in Nanosciences and Nanoengineering (Topic: Advanced Data Analytics Methods)
*Students cannot receive credit for both Nse 540 and Nse 670.
^Nse 670 is offered on-site only.